washing and pressing a bridal veil

[hawaiibride]

To make a long story short:

My bridal veil got stained and I quickly washed it in a sink of cold water and a little Woolite. I laid the veil down flat in a clean surface to dry, but it became horribly wrinkled despite it being spread flat. Steaming it with a handheld steamer didn't work. Using my iron at the lowest setting didn't help either. Any suggestions?

[Dyonia]

I'm assuming your veil is tulle.....

Try washing it again (lukewarm water and don't wring!) and this time hang it to dry.. try a skirt hanger with clips, and then weight the bottom with plastic clothespins.

The weight of the plastic clothespins should prevent wrinkling, while being light enough not to stretch the tulle.

If you don't want to try washing it again, Downy does make a spray thing that supposedly eliminates wrinkles.

Another thought would be to put in the dryer with a damp towel, set on low heat for about 15 minutes. However, if your veil has glued-on ornamentation, its probably best to not put it in the dryer.

Umm.. if your veil is lace, let me know and I'll ask my seamstress :)

Hope this helps!
--Donna

[hawaiibride]

Yes, the veil is tulle. I'll try your suggestion and look for that Downy spray just in case. Thanks!

[Dyonia]

How did it work out?

--Donna

[hawaiibride]

Well I couldn't find the Downey stuff in my supermarket. Tried the clothespin method and it helped some but not completely. Problem was that where the veil was gathered the lovely ruffles and curves it made turned into hideous creases after it got wet. I had beads on the veil so I didn't want to try the dryer method. Decided that I was better off making another veil. Turned out to be serendipity as I later found some much finer tulle that made a more beautiful veil. I still had problems with creases as I got the last bit of the bolt. Your towel method gave me an idea: Before making the replacement veil I "spot pressed" the tulle by putting a layer of soaking wet paper towels on the creases and laying an iron set at near the silk setting. The soaking wet paper towel protected the tulle from melting in that higher temperature. I didn't move the iron. I just let it lay there on top of the paper towel and let the heat steam the water from the wet paper towel to the tulle. It was very slow work as I could only do a few inches at a time but it got rid of the creases beautifully.

Needless to say I was very careful! I made sure that the iron touched only soaking wet paper towel (almost dripping) and I only kept the iron on the towel for 30 seconds max.

I guess getting the tulle professionally pressed would have done the job too, but the tulle was pretty long and a dry cleaners would have charged me an arm and a leg.

I'm very happy. My veil-washing fiasco turned into making a much prettier veil.

Thanks for the help. Even though I didn't exactly do what you suggested you gave the the idea that eventually did solve my problem. I guess this is a lesson for all brides: Dry clean your veil!

[Dyonia]

I'm glad that you were able to make an even better veil! Your paper towel idea was a good one, too -- I've actually heard of pressing delicate fabrics through a damp bath towl. I bet the paper towel method is faster, though.

I guess we know now -- when in doubt, dry-clean! :-)

[Community Chest]

You can steam your veil yourself.

Run the shower and run the hot HOT water. Hang your veil in the bathroom and let the water run a good fifteen or 20 minutes.

All the wrinkles should be gone.