I was paying for my sad little purchase at the VOA on Saturday when I glanced past the clerk and spotted this vintage beauty on a rack that had just been brought out. Hold the phone!
As Mike and Frank say, the time to buy it is when you see it.
And how often do you find a vintage Edwardian lawn dress, complete with jacket at the VOA? Well, one time, if you count me.
You can click the pictures bigger to see the exquisite handwork and detail and, yes, decades of yellowed dust and stains. I had no trouble seeing her for what she once was and had no choice but to rescue her.
After 24 hours of wash, rinse, repeat, this is what I ended up with. I also learned why women didn't work outside the home in Victorian times. It took them endless hours to make a dress like this, endless patience to hand-wash something so delicate and then endless hours to IRON it. Oh.MyGosh. This was so hard to iron!
Can you imagine a wasp-waisted young woman playing croquet on the lawn? I cannot help but wonder if it was the same young woman who made the beautiful millinery bouquet and hair wreath I found in the same store last week. What I find hard to imagine is that no one in the family wanted these treasures. I am happy to rescue them.
I don't have a dress form to display this, nor the waist to wear it so this will be headed over to my Etsy for someone else to love.
12 comments:
Oh, a vintage beauty indeed! Love the delicate detail! Great find! xo Heather
I cannot believe you found that beauty at a thrift store! Gorgeous details and in such great condition. I would keep checking that thrift store.
xo,
Danielle
Oh my goodness--this is beautiful! ....and speaking of Mike and Frank, when we go to the Highway 127 this August, we're taking a short detour to Nashville and planning on visiting their new store that they just opened this year--I can't wait!
I meant to say the Highway 127 sale--you know--the country's longest yard sale?
:)
Unbelievable. I think the same thing all the time. Why didn't someone want these things. This is gorgeous and would be beautiful for a wedding even. Can you believe the detail? Wow..Love Handy Andy. Sounds like a real scout...your very own McGuyver!!!Smiles...Renee
good save at the VOA......
I may have gasped when I saw this! It's just beautiful, stains and all!
You were sure in the right place at the right time. Wow, it's stunning!
That's a beautiful dress....the lace detailing is amazing! I can't even imagine the amount of time spent making it. Lucky you!
That is so beautiful! Kathy have you added yourself to my Grandparent Blogger directory yet? Also consider linking with me at Grandparent's Say It Saturday. You don't need to be grandparent, just an'older' blogger.
Oh my gosh Kathy - this is gorgeous! no no no - you will be sorry if you sell this one. I say keep it! You must show this during WWC blog hop!
I just fainted. I want to come shopping with you!
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