Wearing Mom's Dress

• If the dress is too large, it can easily be taken in to make it smaller.
• If the dress is too small, it can sometimes be made bigger. However, it's always easier to take a dress in than to take it out.
• If the dress is too long, it can be taken up to your desired length.
• You're not crazy about the sleeves? They can be removed. Or if there aren't any sleeves, add them. You can also lengthen or shorten sleeves to your desired taste.
• If the skirt of the dress is just not you, have the bodice of your mother's gown attached to a different skirt.
• If the neckline is too high, it can be converted to a low scoop, v-neck or sweetheart neckline.

Before you have the dress professionally cleaned, take the dress to a dressmaker to be sure that the dress can be altered the way you want. Then ask the dressmaker if you should have it professionally cleaned before or after the alterations - sometimes it depends upon the condition of the dress.

Here are a few questions you should ask about restoring or altering your mother's gown:

• How much will it cost?
• What color will the dress be? Sometimes they will take a swatch and restore it so you can see the color if will be after it's been restored.
• How long will it take? Normally, it will take six to eight weeks. This does not include any repairs or alterations.