Not long ago I saw post with brides who wore their Mom's and even Grandma's wedding dresses. Can't find it now.

My parent met in high school when she was 14 and he 16. They eventually got engaged, and as Mom said, it was on and off for 7 years. They married June 5, 1935 in the midst of the Depression. Mom's Dad died 4 months earlier. These were hard times, and no one had much money. We have no photos of her in her wedding dress. After the ceremony they had a little get together with punch and I think she said cookies. Maybe cake. My folks were married 64 years when my Dad died in 1998.

My sister emailed me to ask if I was okay with her selling Mom's old Necchi, (serviced and nice wood cabinet) which replaced the Singer treadle machine my Mom had when I was a little girl. Go ahead, I told her, but do you still have Mom's wedding dress? I've seen it twice, once when Mom lifted it out of the cedar chest in the basement and showed it to us. Even as girls we knew we'd never fit in it. The next time was when my Mom had moved in with my sister just before my Dad died. She had the Necchi and the cedar chest. She found the dress and mailed it to me.

The dress had a close call. My sister is the one I posted about--lives in Mendocino County, the firestorm burned around their property in a sort of part circle but they had no damage. They had minutes to evacuate at 3:30 am.

I was afraid the dress would be stained and falling apart, but it's in good shape. I thought it was silk, but I think it is rayon. I didn't recall that it was 2-pieces, three counting the belt. I got out my old adjustable dress form from my last sewing spree in 1992, and adjusted it down as far as it would go. The form shoulders have arm buds and I couldn't pull the dress over, I had to carefully pull it on from beneath, only three snaps on a side seam. Maybe with pliers I can minimize the hips again.

I didn't wait to press it. So I present it in wrinkled glory. I'm going to press or steam it and take nice photos for the family website. I'll ask if any of the grandchildren want it. I don't know if a historical society would take it. I have a clothes brush with my great-grandfather's initials I should donate somewhere.

I do want to preserve it. Here are my questions--please, I don't want to ruin it. I think it was home sewn. Not sure by who. Mom worked at a milliner's during the Depression and either she or a friend could have made it. The snaps look hand sewn. No label.

Should I press it or try to steam it? I could leave the dress on the form and steam it. I suppose there are preservationist cleaners, but it doesn't need to be cleaned.

The belt measured 25" and the clasp was damaged but DH fixed it. It doesn't fit on the form through the belt loop.

It is quite sheer, so Mom certainly wore a slip under it. I don't even own a slip, nor do my sisters. Should I buy some silky fabric and try to fashion an under layer for photos, or should I try to find a slip? While a slip would make it easier to slide on, I can add no bulk without opening a side seam. What do you think?

Mom was pear shaped--you can see it from the shower--but I had to minimize the hips to get the dress on. Should I try to pad the hip a bit so it doesn't just hang?

Help, any ideas or suggestions? In the meantime I hope you enjoy.

#1 Mom's shower. Seated is her mother, next standing to her is her MIL, then middle and end are SIL, my aunts. Her mother was 63 in the photo, the MIL is a few years younger. The silver pitcher and tea pot, along with a creamer and sugar bowl, were wedding presents, and now reside with my son and his wife.

#2 is dress with cape
#3 is back view
#4 is without cape.
#5 close up of belt clasp