I got a call this afternoon from the pest inspection guy who checks our little Victorian for termites. He was doing an inspection at a lady's home and she was throwing away stuff, and one thing in the pile was an old wedding dress. He thought of me - bless his heart - and even delivered it.

The dress was what I expected, a late 50s net and lace with all those tiny covered buttons up the back. Very pretty, and unfortunately, very dirty. Most disturbing was how the dress had been stored. The bodice had been folded over a wire hanger and pinned to the skirt.

Who knows how long the poor thing had been hanging. The net is very dirty... actually the whole thing is dirty except the bodice front which was protected where it was folded! But there is a nasty foldline, and some rust at the edges.

Wedding dresses were voted the garment most likely to be saved by its owner. What dress has more sentimental value than a wedding dress? So why do people not take the time to store them in a way that they will not turn to trash in a few years? I've seen them stored crammed in boxes that were too small, hanging on these cardboard "bodies" from the cleaners, and falling off wire hangers. Most people don't bother to have them cleaned atter the wedding so the hem is usually dirty and there are champagne sloshes and sweat stains. You would think a dress worn to one of the biggest events in a woman's life would deserve better!

I was thinking of this and realized that I never do posts on caring for vintage clothes. So that will go on my list of things I really ought to do.

So what about the dress? I've decided to see if I can clean it. Then I'll start looking for a bride to wear it!