We had the opportunity to restore this precious communion dress this week. It was sent to us from the Mosier family in Honolulu, Hawaii. They were uncertain as to whether it could be salvaged for their daughter’s upcoming communion. But the gown has historical significance, as it has been worn by two generations already. Fortunately, we were able to restore it and a third generation will be able to participate in this family tradition.
Aloha Kathy,
The dress is just beautiful and I love the floral piece you have chosen. I
am very pleased.
The dress was bought at Krieg Bros. Catholic Supply Store in Indianapolis,
IN and worn by my mother for her First Communion at St. Phillip Neri
Catholic Church in the spring of 1952 in Indianapolis. I wore the dress for
my First Communion at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in 1975, also in
Indianapolis. We’re a Navy family that has moved 14 times and this dress has
been overseas and stuffed in many closets before your beautiful restoration.
My daughter, Anne, will wear the dress for her First Communion on April 24,
2010 at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Aiea, HI.
I will return the dress to you in May to have it preserved.
Mahalo — Deena
I have a friend who referred me to your company. I have a few questions about your Christening gown preservation kit.II have two priceless blessing outfits (like christening garments) — one little boy suit, and one beautiful dress with a bonnet and petticoat. My mother made them for my little ones to be blessed in, and they are exquisite. Since my mother has now passed away, they are even more valuable to me as heirloom items.
Here are my questions:
Would I need to purchase one or two preservation kits — can the kit be shared?
And… most importantly… can I re-use the garment after preserving it? I will want to use these items again with our future children.
After using the garment again, would I need to purchase a new kit? Or is the preservation kit re-usable?
Thank you for your time. Katie has praised you and your company so highly, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Mary P.
Question: Would I need to purchase one or two preservation kits — can the kit be shared?
Answer: The kits can be shared, however, the hanger is padded so it would be difficult to get both in the bag easily. You could consider purchasing a box instead, both garments could fit in a preservation box.
Questions: And… most importantly… can I re-use the garment after preserving it? I will want to use these items again with our future children.
Answer: Absolutely, they will need to be re-cleaned and then repacked in the preservation box or bag.
Question: After using the garment again, would I need to purchase a new kit? Or is the preservation kit re-usable?
Answer: The kits are reusable. For best results replace the tissue in 5 – 10 years.
The dress is absolutely beautiful as well as the story behind it. I can’t believe what a wonderful job that was done restoring the dress, it looks amazing. Thanks for the post!
Our daughter didnt make her First Holy communion untill she was 13.The white,poofy,knee length,communion dress,veil,tights,and white shoes are required.The parish considers the communion dress as an extension of the baptism outfit the girls were baptized in as babies,so to represent their purity of their baptisms for First Communion,they all have to wear a white under shirt ,with a cloth diaper and rubberpants under their tights.I sewed the 24×27 inch cloth diapers together to make the one diaper and then got the white rubberpants in adult size small to go over it.The tights had to be the high waist kind so as to completely cover the diaper and rubberpants. I had the dress dry cleaned along with the veil and washed her tights,undershirt and the diaper and rubberpants.They were all put in a sealed box and are now preserved.
Our daughter did her First Holy Communion in 6th grade at age 12 and had to wear the poofy communion dress and veil with the lace anklets and the white ‘mary janes’.A white undershirt and rubberpants were required under the dress,so i got her a pair of white,teen size rubberpants that fit her a little loose and her undershirt was tucked into the waist.I put the tee shirt and rubberpants in the box with the rest of her outfit.