Pro Cleaning/Restoration/Repair?

L

le_chaton_rose

Registered Guest
Hello,

I am in desperate need of a professional who can clean and repair garments and is competent (at least!)in vintage. I have so many things that are beyond my mending ability and things that I know I should not try to wash myself. One such item is a 40's Black Crepe Eisenberg Original. It has exquisite beaded crown appliques across the front, one of them is sort of 'pulling' away and leaving a little tear, and a few others have loose and missing beadwork. There are very few missing beads, very few, but if the loose areas arent fixed, I will loose many more beads. The beaded crowns have some rhinestones in them as well and a few appear to have darkened. Aside from that, it needs cleaning and pressing.
I dont want to pay a fortune or send it out of state.

I have so many dresses just waiting to be repaired and cleaned so they can get new homes, and my lack of professional connections is delaying it!

Anyone know of a good pro in the Atlanta area? In the state of Georgia? In the south worth the drive, within driving distance of Atlanta?

If not, what should I look for when shopping around for a seamstress and/or drycleaner(I hope to find them both at least at the same place of business if I cannot find one person who does both) or know of someway(keywords I overlook, business types I overlook, etc)to at least search for one in my area?

Any help would be so so appreciated! TIA!
 
Afraid I'm on the wrong side of the pond to advise firsthand, but I think word of mouth is probably going to be your best bet. Failing that, grilling dry cleaners over exacly how/what they intend to do, and making sure the first 'test' piece is one that isn't too valuable to you just to make sure is probably my only advice (I just had to give up on my current cleaner, and am looking for another using that technique... :().

I know there are a few members from the South so hopfully someone may be able to help you out!
 
If am item has a lot of beadwork, etc, even a really good cleaner can't guarantee. Sometimes the only way is to remove some of it and reattach which is not always an option. Rhinestones you do not want to put through the drycleaners and you do not want to clean them with water or most liquids periods. If they are prong set, someone adept at vintage jewels could probably remove them and replace with new rhinestones (or new to you rhinestones) but rhinestones are prone to yellowing over time. I have a bracelet from my grandmother where teh prongs have all darkened because its not sterling and has been through the mill. I have been told the only thing to do is stabilize it. Wipe it with qtips to get the dirt and grime off and replace some of the rhinestones but never submerge.

I have found that some fabrics actually do well at the cleaners. if you have any wool gabardine suits without too much embellishment to them, they turn out just as well as modern suits at a decent drycleaner of modern clothes.

I live in the south, but unfortunately don't know any good drycleaners. I had steamed some items in the past.

There might be some things that are worth fixing (seams splits as long as it isn't dry rot) and there might be somethings that you may consider just passing on as is as study pieces or costumes if you can't find a cleaner.

There are some things that are financially worth sinking a lot of money into and some that are not
 
I just googled the Atlanta area and came up with this cleaners. They say they clean and alter.


BUCKHEAD BRIGHT CLEANERS. 3213 MAPLE DR NE, (404)
233-9575. ATLANTA, GA 30305,


Your best bet would be to find a good seamstress. Maybe take out a classified ad or craigs list.
 
Also ask people at vintage and antique stores who they recommend. And bridal consignment shops. There are people who don't advertise because they are retirement age. Sometime word of mouth works best
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top