Dry rot?

Vintagiality

Vintagiality

VFG Treasurer
I acquired this 60s yellow dress made from a fabric that looks like linen but I was convinced to be synthetic. When I brought it home and pulled it out of the bag, there was suddenly a cloud of fine yellow powder that got all over me. No matter how much a shook it, the powder won't stop falling off of it even though it had no visible damage. I have a few questions. Can you have dry rot on synthetic fabric? If not, what could this be? Lastly, maybe a silly question but is it dangerous to breath that powder? Should I just discard the dress or try something else?

Thanks
Victoria
 
sounds like "devils dust" to me; often found in synthetic linings of garments from the 60s and 70s. once it starts, i've never known it to stop.

unfortunately, i've had a couple of really adorable dresses that i ended up throwing them out, rather than have to deal with the mess they create.

is your dress lined?
 
I had it on a 60's knit dress that was a nylon mix and I determined one of the fibres in the knit fabric had broken down causing the 'devil dust'.
Best you can do it hang it on the line and beat it out like a carpet, or sell as is for costume/modelling use.
 
Thank you all! I may try a few of your suggestions but I did read Nicole's article on devil's dust in the interim and sadly I think that pretty yellow dress is gone.

What I find so strange is that no matter how much dust comes off, the dress doesn't look like it's disintegrating. How can all this stuff shed and for the garment to appear almost new?! Oh well.. I will post a pic to give it a "grand finale".
 
Victoria, the "devil dust" may be impregnated into the fabric, or a lining or backing.

I've been looking into this issue and it's one of four types of plastic that break down. You can't stop it, only slow it down - by reducing exposure to sun, air and handling. I recently asked a museum conservator about it, as I have nightmares about the idea that whatever it is that causes these synthetics to break down, hasn't been fixed and it's true: they haven't solved the issue so these types will continue to crumble. Good luck! It's such a pity because often really cute '60s fashions are affected.
 
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