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A First Communion dress is rich in religious symbolism and steeped in tradition. This special dress should not be hung in a closet after the ceremony. The communion dress is part of a very special moment in the life of a young girl.
The dress should continue to have a meaningful purpose. Recycling a communion dress can give it a new life. The end result can take many forms. The only criterion for laundering a communion dress – it should continue to spread joy and happiness.
Why should you recycle a communion dress?
1. Pass it on
Give a communion dress to family or friends. Sharing such a special dress can be a special experience. It can create bonds and continue traditions or start new ones. From a practical point of view, sharing can reduce costs for other families. Sometimes a few modifications can create a completely different look for the next wearer.
2. Keep the dress
In the short term, First Communion dresses can be used for other special occasions. They are suitable for religious ceremonies or even special dinners and party celebrations. However, if you plan to keep the dress for use in future years, proper storage procedures must be followed. To avoid damage over time, a conservation specialist should be consulted. If not, you need to purchase a conservation kit.
If you are passing a dress shortly after the ceremony, it is not necessary to take these preventive measures. However, proper cleaning procedures should always be followed after use. Consider a professional cleaner for best results.
3. Be charitable
Charity, like money laundering, can take many forms. Leave the dress at a thrift store for someone to buy it at a low price. Some charities even give away dresses to those in need. Some organizations sell formal dresses and use the funds for a worthwhile project.
Some formal wear retailers recycle the clothes and donate a percentage of the profits to charity. Organize your charity project and get your daughter involved. Make a private sale but discuss with the child how you can use the money for the benefit of a charitable cause. Children can offer very creative suggestions.
Give the fabric a new life
The fabric of the First Communion habit can be used in many creative ways. The use of fabric means renewed life, new purpose and sincere expression. Creativity is the exact opposite of destruction. There are many reasons to feel happy about the creative recycling of a communion dress.
4. Make a flower girl basket
A flower basket is incredibly beautiful on its own. However, if you line the basket with a very special fabric, its beauty and meaning reach a whole new level. Use material from a communion dress for bridesmaids’ baskets at a family wedding. Maybe you could even keep some cloth for your daughter’s wedding day.
5. Bring something special
If you like to sew, you can easily transform the fabric from a communion dress into a unique bag. The satin, pearls and flowers of the dress work together to create a gorgeous bag. Add a practical and pretty drawstring and a white bow to create a stunning accessory.
Custom embroidery always adds an extra special touch. Use the child’s name, the date of their first communion, or even a religious symbol. If you are of Irish descent, you may want to embroider the Claddagh or the shamrock. The unique bag can be used for future special occasions and even passed on to the next generation.
6. Make a satin shawl
First Communion dresses and shawls are often made of satin, so they are a perfect match. Of course, communion dresses and shawls are also made from other fine fabrics. You can make a gorgeous shawl out of any communion dress material. Exquisite details like sequins can be used as embellishments. For sleeveless dresses, a shawl is an elegant accessory.
7. Tie ribbons and bows
Ribbons and bows have always been popular for communion dresses. Large white bows were considered very elegant for communion girls in the early 20th century. Yet bows and ribbons have maintained that popularity. They look charming on communion dresses. They dazzle, along with sequins and pearls, in headdresses.
A young girl can never have enough ribbons and bows to wear on special occasions. You can make numerous accessories from one dress. Don’t forget to make some elegant headbands suitable for special occasions. Headbands are always popular with girls. Communion veil with sash is one of the most popular styles.
8. Dress up the dolls
Your little girl definitely looked like a doll in her special dress. Most little girls wouldn’t mind sharing that beauty of hers with her precious dolls. The beautiful fabrics and exquisite details of a communion dress can make well-dressed dolls.
Many girls keep their special dolls and appreciate them as adults. They are often passed down from generation to generation. It is really special to be able to pass a doll to your daughter, especially if her dress is made with your communion dress.
9. Handkerchiefs come in handy
You can make beautiful handkerchiefs using the fine fabric of a dress. Take some time to make them special and they can be used for future occasions. The handkerchiefs, trimmed with lace, can be kept for Confirmation or even on a girl’s wedding day.
They could be special gifts for sisters and aunts. The fabric could make pocket handkerchiefs for brothers and dads. Creative individuals have even made ties and bow ties from communion dresses.
The handkerchief idea is a very efficient method of laundering a stained dress. The damage may prevent the dress from being passed on or used in other ways. Yet you should be able to save enough material to make handkerchiefs.
10. Bring people together
Communion dresses can be recycled and made into tablecloths and napkins for special dinners. Family reunions are always memorable events in a child’s life. A girl will be proud to know that the fabric of her dress is helping to create the perfect occasion.
The tablecloth and napkins can also embellish her table when she is a grown woman. Such a satin white cloth could also be used at her wedding reception. The fabric would look great on the table showing the wedding guest book or gifts.
11. Celebrate the holidays
Every child loves Christmas and of course the Christmas tree. He transforms the communion gown into a Christmas tree skirt and looks at the light in a young girl’s eyes. You will have the most dressed up Christmas tree and the happiest child. This festive Christmas tree skirt will look stylish during any holiday season. To match her spectacular tree skirt, decorate the Christmas tree with white bows and pearl garlands.
12. Create a special memory
Every girl should keep special memories of her communion day. She creates a keepsake box to hold her precious reminders of her. She uses communion dress fabric to cover and line this little treasure. A girl can keep many treasures inside the keepsake box. She may hold medals or jewelry gifts given in honor of her First Communion.
13. Hold on to the memories
The precious pieces of the communion dress hold special memories. The fabric can be part of a First Communion album. Consider making a framed keepsake to display with family photos. Making a shadow box is an excellent way to preserve memories. Use the fabric as a backdrop and include other mementos like First Communion invitations.
14. Keep the picture perfect
Keep her memories safe and protected in a cute photo album. Make the outside of an album as beautiful as the photos inside its covers. Cover a photo album with the satin and lace of a communion dress. At first glance, it will be obvious that this album is a special book.
15. Enjoy a nice scent
Enjoy a nice perfume in a nice package; make a lovely and lasting sachet. Satin and lavender make a sensational sachet. The special girl will love to use them and they can also be shared with the family. You can make several scented sachets from a communion dress.
16. Make special pillows and blankets
The sacraments of Baptism and First Communion share a religious significance. Use the fabric of a communion dress for a baptismal blanket. The fabric is also perfect for a ring cushion or a baby pillow. Pass these special creations to a family member or keep them for your daughter. Using a ring bearer pillow or baptismal blanket, made from your communion gown, would be very special for any young woman.
17. Dress up a princess
Every little girl wants to be a princess. Whether it’s for Halloween, a school play or just to play, every princess needs a special outfit. You already have a nice dress. Buy extra cheap fabric and introduce more colors and details.
A full pink flounce at the bottom of the dress is perfect for a pink princess. A pink lined cape adds a royal touch. A tall princess hat with fabric flowers and a pretty net can be the crowning glory of a Halloween costume. Style the dress according to a little girl’s favorite storybook princess.
18. Make a princess table
Every little princess deserves a Princess table. Create a full skirt for a round nightstand. The snaps can be used to allow the fabric to close and give it a snug look. If the dress has a nice bow, you can also attach it to the table skirt with snaps. An ordinary round table can easily be transformed into a table worthy of royalty.
19. Keep it for a sleeping beauty
Make a skirt for a baby’s crib from the communion dress. Pass it on to new parents or keep it for the future. A small child will most likely sleep soundly in such a lovely environment. The adorable little girl or cute little boy will have a beautiful start in life. Create a one-of-a-kind baby cap and dress your little one in style, from head to toe.
20. Save it for another sleeping beauty
Use her communion dress to create the cutest bedroom for a little princess. White is a cool and refreshing color to wake up to every morning. The fabric can be used for decorative pillow cases or pillows. Delicate, tousled material is perfect for a valance. If you want to cover the entire window, there will be enough fabric for the project.
The dress can also be used to make a full bed skirt or a trendy quilt. After a bedtime story, a sleeping beauty will be surrounded by beauty as she follows her dreams of her. Isn’t that how the story should always end for every little girl?
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