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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Northern Lights Lodge, post: 4324090, member: 13464&quot;]Hi Emma, </p><p><br /></p><p>I think it would probably be ok to alter into a &quot;current&quot; style dress. It is not handmade lace. We did that quite often with &quot;mom&#039;s&quot; wedding gown when I was working at the Bridal Salon. Of course, the &quot;best&quot; way to alter it and still keep a vintage value to some degree is the adage: &quot;don&#039;t do anything that you can&#039;t reverse again&quot;.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>First step, of course, would be to see how it washes / cleans up. NO bleach! I&#039;d either ask if a dry cleaners is willing - which they &quot;may&quot; be as there don&#039;t seem to be beads or sequins. If you are going to wash yourself... I&#039;d certainly hand wash and spread out the lace overlay part to dry rather than hang it.</p><p><br /></p><p>Then the lace repair. If it is a large mend - you may want to back the area with fine tulle - even several layers - and use fine stitching with as close to the color thread as you can find. Trim off the tulle closely after stitching is complete.</p><p><br /></p><p>That said; it is probably impossible to &quot;remake&quot; an older gown into something more current without cutting. You don&#039;t say whether or not you have some bride in mind for it - or whether it is updating for resale... but... yes, with that 22&quot; waist; you&#039;d probably have to add some side gussets or gores... and that would have to be either taken out of the train or the sleeves. </p><p><br /></p><p>I can see that it would look darling with another neckline - although I like the &quot;sweetheart&quot; shape... spaghetti straps are so much more popular right now. It looks like if the sleeves were removed; that it would leave a wider 2&quot; strap, which might be acceptable as well. Then, if you didn&#039;t need to use the sleeves for gussets you could then alter the sleeves to make (long or short) fingerless mitts with a &quot;v&quot; at the middle finger and a loop to slip over the finger. </p><p><br /></p><p>I love the train... but if you were to shorten it to &quot;floor length&quot;... you may have enough to use for a matching cape, veil or removable peplum. </p><p><br /></p><p>It is always a &quot;bear&quot; - but doing some light beadwork, sequins or sparkle would certainly dress it up a bit.</p><p><br /></p><p>Would love to see your finished project! If you think I could answer any additional questions... feel free!</p><p><br /></p><p>Cheerio,</p><p>Leslie[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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