Dresses From the Sky Parachutes Turned Into Wedding Gowns
As spring arrives, so do seasonal gatherings, Easter get-togethers, and family brunches. Many people pull their favorite table linens out of storage only to find old stains, dull fabric, or heavy creases that won’t budge. Preparing for spring entertaining doesn’t mean you have to toss them aside or shop for new ones. With the proper care, your tired tablecloths can go from storage-worn to a stylish centerpiece. It’s common for tablecloths and linens to develop wrinkles or creases after they are stored post-holidays. If you want to give them a quick refresh before they go on the table, you can steam iron them on a low setting or hang the tablecloth in a steamy bathroom for a few minutes. A little steam can help loosen wrinkles and relax the fabric’s fibers. For old stains that have set in, you can pretreat the area with a stain remover before washing the tablecloth according to its care instructions. As always, it’s wise to spot-test the cleaner on a small area to ensure it won’t damage the fabric. The best way to prevent stubborn stains and creases is to treat them immediately and properly store your table linens. Tablecloths can be tricky to tackle on your own due to their large size, the difficult food stains they endure, and the sensitive fabrics they’re made of. They can wrinkle easily, and ironing every crease can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. At Janet Davis Cleaners, we make entertaining effortless. Our machines are built to handle bulky tablecloths, and we carefully inspect each item, choosing the best method to get them spotless. After we clean them, we ensure they are pressed to perfection. Don’t Let Wrinkles and Stains Steal the Spotlight SPRING ENTERTAINING STARTS AT THE TABLE
Most wedding dresses come from boutiques or family closets. But in the 1940s, some came from the sky. During and after World War II, brides across the U.S. and parts of Europe walked down the aisle in gowns made from parachutes. Equal parts scarcity and sentiment contributed to the development of this tradition. At the time, budgets were tight. Brides-to-be faced fabric rationing, and the military got most of the nylon. A parachute offered yards of strong, clean material, making it valuable. But for some couples, the biggest draw wasn’t the fabric. It was the story tied to it. One of the most famous examples is that of Major Claude Hensinger, who was forced to parachute out of a burning bomber. The chute delivered him safely to the ground and served as his bedding while he waited for rescue. He proposed to his girlfriend, Ruth, after returning home and suggested she use that same parachute for her gown. She hired a seamstress to construct the bodice and gathered the skirt
herself using parachute cords. The finished dress, inspired by one from “Gone With the Wind,” now sits in the Smithsonian. Another bride, Carolyn Martin, made her own parachute dress after her fiancé, Chuck, survived a training flight crash. Carolyn transformed his parachute into a wedding dress using the sewing skills she had picked up in eighth grade. It is now part of the San Diego Air and Space Museum’s collection. A far more elaborate dress is stored at
the National Museum of the United States Air Force. It originally belonged to an Air Force family and was pieced together from nine parachutes used in combat. One of the most meaningful parachute dresses, though, came from a displaced persons camp in Germany. Two Holocaust survivors, Ludwig Friedman and Lilly Lax, married at the camp in 1946. To make the wedding dress, Ludwig bought a parachute from Allied troops, and Lilly hired a seamstress using cigarette rations. Two more brides at other camps borrowed their dress before it was preserved at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.
One of our recent customers turned to us when she had an extra- large tablecloth that needed a little TLC.
“I was extremely happy with how they handled my very large linen tablecloth; it was cleaned and pressed beautifully. I am very happy with this cleaner overall, with customer service and the quality of their work.” Let us take care of the big stuff this season so you can focus on hosting and making memories. Contact Janet Davis Cleaners today to go from storage to spring-ready. We have your table covered!
Parachute nylon was never meant to be heirloom fabric. But during a time of shortages and uncertainty, that’s what it became.
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