Cleaning a 1950s squaw/patio dress set

T

Tricia Bailey

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I have a vintage 50s squaw/patio set by Frontier Fashions. It's in very good shape, but it has some stains on it that look like they would come out or at least lighten considerably with a cleaning. However, I'm wary of damaging it. It's made of a soft, sort of "crinkly" cotton - like a broomstick skirt - with silver and black rickrack trim. What's the best way to try to wash it?

Also, as long as I'm here - the top and skirt clearly go together, they match exactly - same color, same fabric, same rickrack. But the label in the top says "Marga Originals" and the label in the skirt says "Frontier Fashions, Porter's, Phoenix Tucson." Looks like the latter a shop label while the label in the top is the maker - am I correct?

Thanks!
 
Can we see a photo?

Patio/squaw dresses were meant to be washed. The care is on how you dry it. I would especially consider cleaning them if the stains were noticeable and you couldn't wear the dress out with them - based on location and color. Have you done a burn test to make sure it is cotton (but a photo may help - however I have no reason to believe it isn't.) Do you have an inkling as to what the stains could be (rusty hanger stains, food, moisture?). That info would help, too. I would soak it in something gently like Forever New or Woolite if you are really nervous as a first line of defense. How to proceed if that doesn't work depends on what you think the stain is.

I would wait for others to weigh in...but...photos would really help here :)
 
I think you are right about the labels. As to washing - one risk is dye run from the black rick rack. You can try a moisture test with a damp Q-tip on the rick rack and see if any color comes off. If you want to run the risk, use cold water and handsoak so you can keep an eye on it. If you see color coming off of it, add white vinegar and salt to the water ( both are dye fixatives). But I can't promise you the dye won't run even then.
 
I've tossed mine in the washer on the "handwash/delicate" setting... I always use a fistful of those dye catcher sheets in every load... then hung to dry. washingmachineemoti :)
So far, no problems. Fingers crossed.
I didn't see if you said what the color was? Just that it had black & silver rick-rack. BUT - if it's white, and the trim DOES run, I've also had good luck putting the item back in the washer with a capful of bleach and more dye catchers. I've done this on several items with multi-colored garments and never had a bad result. Yay!
 
Sorry - it's a very pale pink with black and silver rickrack, and I believe the stains are food. Let me get a picture in a minute.
 
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