Are there special concerns regarding the elastic on vintage garments?
Yes Gracie, unfortunately the elastic will dry rot if not taken care of properly (i.e. harsh detergents, hot dryers etc.). Elastic will also get “rippled” if the person wearing say, a half slip that’s a size or two too small for them. Yeah guys, you know who you are 😉 Elastic can also be replaced but it is very tedious work to rip out the old elastic and sew a new waistband in on a sewing machine. An extra special lacy vintage slip is always worth it though. What do you know about dry-cleaning? Dry cleaning is costly, but remember your time is money so you should weigh it out whether trying for hours to improve the look of a garment would be better achieved by a professional cleaner. If it is a fancy designer, silk blend, or rayon based item don’t hesitate to have it dry cleaned. I personally found out, the hard way, that many vintage items that ought to be dry-cleaned can no longer be! If it has beading or other embellishments, the way they dry-clean now would press & melt &/or dest
