Treasured Garment Restoration Archives - Treasured Garment Restoration

December 16, 2019 In Featured, General, Vintage, Wedding Gown Preservation, Weddings

TGR Original: Rachel’s One of a Kind Wedding

Rachel had a vintage wedding veil she wanted to incorporate into her wedding day, but it was yellow and over 100 years old. While Rachel planned her fun, unique wedding she trusted her vintage veil to the Certified Wedding Gown Specialists at Treasured Garment Restoration. Read more about Rachel’s wedding journey below!

When was your wedding and where did it take place?
We got married September 1, 2019 at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St Paul. It was a Pokémon-themed wedding!

How did you decide to get your dress made and by whom?
I hate waste, so the idea of a traditional wedding dress that costs thousands of dollars to be worn once, then put in a box, never to see the light of day again is abhorrent to me. Instead, my partner and I decided to get “gijinka” cosplay outfits made of our favorite Pokémon. That way, we can wear our suit & dress to nerd conventions for many years to come. I approached Snow Cosplays specifically because I’ve admired her work at CONvergence. Both the seamstress and her wife are plus-size cosplayers, and Jessica frequently turns various intellectual properties into dresses: BriChibi Cosplay has been seen in Wonder Woman, Mario, and Buzz Lightyear ballgowns; to name a few. So, when I decided turn a Pokémon into a plus-sized wedding gown, she was the obvious choice. (My partner’s suit was made by KMK Designs.)

What is your absolute favorite memory from your wedding day?
Most of my good memories are from the party. We designed a badge game, like how you have to earn gym badges in a main series Pokémon game, for people to go around and enjoy the whole party. If you earned eight badges, then you could request a kiss or something else from us (instead of clinking glasses). Everyone got really into it, and we ran out of several of the badges. I’m also very proud of how the centerpieces looked. We spent a lot of time on those.

Why did you decide to get your antique veil restored?
My veil was my great-great-grandmother’s and it survived the Holocaust. In an era of US politics where antisemitism is at a peak, it’s so important to me to display pride and take joy in my heritage. When my great-aunt told me she had this veil, there was no question of whether or not I’d wear it. Of course I was going to wear it. I didn’t intend to get the veil “restored,” per se, as Aunt Ruthie was very insistent that I shouldn’t do anything to it – I just wanted it clean, since it had a few stains on it. But I guess a cleaning isn’t that simple for a 100+ year-old heirloom! The veil underwent a beautiful vintage restoration.

Why did you bring your wedding veil to Treasured Garment Restoration?

I use St. Croix Cleaners’ delivery service for dry cleaning for my dry-cleaning, and I’d seen ads for TGR in my inbox and on their website. Since you’ve taken such good care of my modern clothes, I figured you’d do just as nicely with my heirloom.

Treasured Garment Restoration is a nationally recognized member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists. This means we clean each bridal gown and garment individually with care. Learn more about wedding gown cleaning and preservation options at TreasuredGarmentRestoration.com.

Photography Credit : Luke Nygaard, Nygaard Photography

July 10, 2019 In Cleaning, Wedding Dresses, Weddings

TGR Original: Angela’s Wedding Gown Journey

They say rain on your wedding day means good luck in your marriage, and Angela certainly had that. Her sparkly gown was going to shine no matter what! With rain outside and dancing the night away, Angela needed to clean her gorgeous dress after her Arkansas wedding and make it look brand new again. See why she chose Treasured Garment Restoration to clean her Cinderella gown!

When was your wedding and where did it take place?

My wedding took place at Thorncrown Chapel. It’s located in a tiny historic town in the Ozark mountains called Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

When did you know that your wedding dress was “the one?”

I knew that my wedding dress was “the one” after going to a few shops without any excitement. It was the 4th shop and the second to last dress I put on. The style of the dress has wider straps and a beautiful cut on top. I chose this style because it looked antique to me and would fit the venue perfectly. It also was shimmering with sparkly sequins. I felt like Cinderella! I absolutely love sparkly things and the dress was so easy and comfortable to move around in and I could twirl and dance around the shop with ease! It was definitely unique from the other dresses I tried on. To top it off I got half off the price because it was the only one on the rack and it happened to be my size! So it was meant to be!

What is your absolute favorite memory from your wedding day?

My favorite memory from my wedding was taking all of my guests on a ghost tour of the Crescent Hotel “America’s most haunted hotel” where our reception took place. Everyone had so much fun and learned a lot of history behind the historic town and hotel. Our reception was very memorable as well because we had so much uninhibited fun dancing the night away at a club in downtown Eureka Springs called Eureka Live.

Why did you decide to get your wedding dress cleaned?

I decided to get my wedding dress cleaned and repaired because I want it to look like it did when I first put it on, in the hopes of giving it to another bride to be or maybe keeping it for a special someone someday- maybe my daughter!

Why did you bring your wedding dress to Treasured Garment Restoration?

I brought my wedding dress to Treasured Garment Restoration because it was recommended to me by the staff at St. Croix Cleaners. I saw amazing reviews online and knew I wanted to take it to the best! The employees I encountered were all so helpful and they had impeccable customer service!

Treasured Garment Restoration is a nationally recognized member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists. This means we clean each bridal gown individually with care. Learn more about wedding gown cleaning and preservation options at www.TreasuredGarmentRestoration.com.

*Photos by Ashley Kimbrough Photography

October 12, 2018 In Cleaning, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Gown Preservation, Weddings

TGR Original: Devan’s Wedding Gown Preservation Journey

Red wine stains and dirty bar floors couldn’t keep this bride’s dress down. Bride Devan and her new husband Sam had their special day this past summer in Iowa, that included a memorable wedding dress cleaning immediately after. As you’ll see in this Q&A with Devan and her dress, a mother’s wedding contribution cannot be understated. Enjoy the journey Devan’s gown took from the dance floor to wedding dress cleaning and preservation.

When was your wedding and where did it take place?

Our wedding was on July 6, 2018, in Des Moines, Iowa. The ceremony and reception both took place outside at Salisbury House and Gardens.

When did you know that your wedding dress was “the one?”

My wedding dress is a fit-and-flare with a lot of tulle on the bottom. I always knew I wanted a fitted bridal gown. I tried on lots of different styles, but I came back to one of the first dresses I tried on.

What is your absolute favorite memory from your wedding day?

My favorite memory from our wedding day was seeing my friends and family all in one place at the same time. It was such an awesome experience. I felt so loved and could not believe all of those people came to see us! I also loved getting ready in the morning with my mom, mother-in-law, and bridesmaids. It was a super relaxing morning and I loved getting pampered!

Why did you decide to get your wedding dress cleaned?

My mom took my wedding dress to the cleaner without me knowing. I’m super glad she did. We went to a bar after the wedding and my dress got super dirty on the bottom, so it needed a wedding gown preservation! I had also spilled red wine all down the front of the wedding dress, so it needed to be cleaned!

Why did you bring your wedding dress to Treasured Garment Restoration?

I am not sure why my mom chose Treasured Garment Restoration for the wedding dress cleaning. I am sure it was a close location to her house!

Treasured Garment Restoration is a nationally recognized member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists. This means we clean each wedding dress individually, with anti-sugar stain treatment, MuseumCare™ Preservation process to guarantee the wedding dress will not yellow over the course of a lifetime. This is the best way to ensure your wedding dress is protected for generations to come. Learn more about wedding dress cleaning and preservation at www.TreasuredGarmentRestoration.com.

June 6, 2018 In Wedding Trends

Royal Wedding Dresses Inspire The Masses

Styles of wedding dresses come and go with the times. From the puffy shoulders of the ‘80s to the newer bohemian style 2-piece dresses, there’s always a new trend around the corner. With the royal wedding only a few weeks ago, the new Duchess of Sussex is already paving the way for the next wedding gown fashion trend.

Meghan Markle’s dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy Couture, highlights elegance and minimalism with a bateau neckline as the focal point of the silk cady dress. Glamour Magazine even has an article showcasing “12 Meghan Markle-Inspired Wedding Dresses You Can Buy Right Now” that was posted just hours after the wedding ceremony. That’s how fast a trend can begin!

While Markle’s dress trend is just starting to boom, Kate Middleton’s long sleeve, lace dress sparked a princess-worthy fever 7 years ago. The Knot even listed some celebrities, like Nicky Hilton, who wore a dress admittedly inspired by the Duchess of Cambridge.

Middleton’s Alexander McQueen dress style doesn’t solely belong to celebrities. H&M made headlines for offering a replica of her dress for $299. Now you don’t have to spend the $434,000 on a royal gown to look like a princess.

If you want to incorporate a royal element into your wedding without caving on your personal style (or budget) you can wear a tiara. Both Middleton and Markle rocked the royal tradition and you can too. Whether you want to jump on the royal bandwagon or hold true to your style (despite the developing trends) find what makes you feel beautiful on your wedding day.

Regardless of what style you choose for your big day, don’t forget to have your dress cleaned and preserved after your wedding. Not only will your dress come back looking clean and fresh, but we also use an anti-sugar stain treatment that removes stains you might not even see that can show up years later on your dress. Being members of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists, we guarantee your gown won’t yellow and those “unseen” stains won’t show up for a lifetime. Give your dress the royal treatment by cleaning and preserving your gown at Treasured Garment Restoration.

August 11, 2014 In Wedding Tips

Wedding Dress Shopping Tips

The search for your wedding dress can be overwhelming and sometimes frustrating.
Before you go shopping for your wedding dress, check out some of our guidelines to help you in your search.

1. Set your budget.
Going in without a budget can be a recipe for disaster. You may end up leaving the store spending way more than
you can afford on a dress. Go in with a price in mind and leave a little wiggle room to ensure you’re happy with your purchase.

2. Have an style in mind

This is when Pinterest can come in handy. Go online and cruise around looking at different styles that interest you.
Then when you go to your appointment you are educated on the look you’re going for.

3. Buy a dress that fits or is slightly bigger

Even if you plan on loosing weight, don’t buy a dress that is too small in hopes of dropping a few pounds.
If anything always go bigger. Then if you do loose weight it can always be altered to fit you but adding fabric is difficult.

4. Keep an open mind
More often then not, the style you want may not be the style you end up with. Even if you have a style in mind, stay open to other styles. Other looks may look better on you than you thought!

5. Bring backup

Most importantly, bring a crew of close friends who will share their honest opinions with you.
Support is vital when choosing the dress for your big day.

July 14, 2014 In General, Short and Sweet, Videos

Treasured Garment Restoration on Kare 11

In preparation for the All-Star Game coming up this week, Treasured Garment Restoration had the honor of repairing and cleaning the Twins banners that hang at Target Field.
Watch as Polly and Julie go over what we did to restore these priceless items.
You can also go and see them in person now at Target Field. Go Twins!

Follow this link to see the video

http://www.kare11.com/story/sports/mlb/twins/2014/07/11/stillwater-business-restores-twins-banners/12558273/

July 7, 2014 In Clothing Tips, General, Short and Sweet

Wedding Day Emergency Kit

The last thing any bride wants is to arrive at the venue of their wedding and have forgotten something. From a small snag on your dress to smudging your makeup. We went to make sure you’ve got everything you need to fix any problem that may arise.
Here is a small list of essentials that could save you on your wedding day and help you avoid the dreaded Bridezilla scene.

Dental floss
Chalk (to cover up small smudges on dress)
Tissues
Backup Makeup
Safety Pins
Sewing Kit
Clothes Pins
Clear Nail Polish
Nail File
Scotch Tape
Hem Tape
Asprin
Bottle of water
Tweezers
Hair Spray
Phone Charger
Extra Hairpins
Hair Spray
Dry Shampoo
Mints
Crazy Glue
First Aid Kit
Small Snack
Eye Drops
Lint Roller
Straws
Vendor Contact List
Lotion
Mouthwash

June 30, 2014 In Clothing Tips, General, Short and Sweet, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Gown Preservation, Weddings

Buying a Used Wedding Dress

Weddings can be very expensive. A great way to cut some of the cost is to consider buying a used wedding dress.
Considering the dress is only worn once, you can often find great
deals on beautiful, gently used gowns.
Their are numerous sites and shops you can visit that buy and sell dresses.

However because they are used, be sure to be extra cautious
when ordering a used gown.
We have found some of these tips to be helpful with
brides shopping for a pre owned dress.

Be sure to get thorough pictures or check the gown out yourself before committing. Stains or stags can often go unnoticed at the right angle. Make sure the images you’re looking at are of the owners album and not the model pictures you can find online. So when chatting with a seller, be sure you know what your buying.

Make sure you’re buying at the right price. A little internet research can go a long way. If you’re nervous about buying online, at least make sure you’re paying a fair price. Especially considering this dress has been worn before.

The dress you buy doesn’t need to be in your exact size. We’ve mentioned in previous blogs what when buying you’re dress its better to go to big than too small. We can always take a dress in but adding fabric is much more difficult. We have a exceptional team that can work with you and your dress to make sure it fits you perfectly.

Be aware of the sellers return policy. Ask the seller exactly what the return policy is. That way if you get it and its in way worse condition than they led on, you can send it back.

June 23, 2014 In General, Short and Sweet, Wedding Dresses, Wedding Gown Preservation, Weddings

How to Save Money On Your Wedding Day

The last thing you want is to start off your new marriage in debt from your wedding.The average cost of a wedding in the US in around $25,000. If this price seems way out of budget for you, we’ve researched and talked to brides about some great ways to save a few dollars for your big day!

1. Get a friend ordained
You can now go online and file with the state to have a friend ordained and have them officiate your wedding.
This can shave off a few hundred dollars from your wedding bill.
Plus it can serve as a great memory to have someone close to you pronounce your marriage.

2. DIY on the small things
If you have access to craft materials DIY projects can save major dollars. However, this can also take up a lot of time and effort. So if you do choose this route, recruit friends to help out so you don’t spend weeks focused on one project.

3. Hire a wedding planner
This may sound like a tip that will cost you more money, when in fact it can save lots you if you choose carefully. A wedding planner often knows all the secrets around your area that can save you thousands of dollars. They often know the right people and can get you deals while also showing you where you can skip certain costs you wont need.

4. Buy Pre-owned
The internet makes it easy to find quality pre-owned wedding dresses. This can save a huge portion of your wedding bill. Check out sites like www.preownedweddingdresses.com or even www.tradesy.com for beautiful dresses that are in great condition. Even after the wedding, try getting some money back by selling your dress to another bride.

5. Buy in season
One huge mistake many wedding planners make is buying flowers or foods that include off season items. When it comes to flowers, buy in bulk and something that’s in season. Bigger flowers can also save you money because they have larger stems so they cost less per bouquet.

June 16, 2014 In General, Short and Sweet, Vintage

Vintage Tablecloths

We recently had the opportunity to clean some very beautiful tablecloths that came with an even more interesting back story.

Believed to be brought over from Ireland in the 1900’s, these tablecloths belonged to
Eleanor Jane Hall Adams. A grandmother of a well known St. Paul local.

Eleanor married the boy next door and moved to St. Paul in 1947, bringing these intricate tablecloths with them.
Her husband eventually moved on to being the first Champlain of Macalester college.
They have survived in wonderful condition while being passed down through 4 generations and plan on continuing to do so for generations to come.

Shown above is the tablecloths after being cleaned and preserved by our treasured garment specialist

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