Mantilla Keynotes the Wedding Gown

Question: Being of Spanish descent, I would like to wear the lace mantilla my parents brought me from Spain in my upcoming wedding. It is white, slightly oval in shape and measures 64 by 25 inches. I am not crazy about wearing it as a veil, but I was thinking of draping it over my shoulders. Any suggestions for dress types, sleeve types or fabrics? I am leaning toward making the dress myself. I’m 5 feet, 3 inches tall and size 7.--L.S.

Answer: The bridal illustration here offers you two options. Although you resist the idea of wearing a mantilla as a veil, you might like it caught at the back of the head with half a wreath of flowers. If that doesn’t appeal to you, wear the mantilla as the peplum of McCall’s 7847--a Priscilla of Boston gown. You could make the dress in taffeta, organza, dotted Swiss or chiffon, leaving only the peplum in lace. And if neither of these ideas strikes your fancy, take a look at Butterick 6393, picturing your mantilla as the bodice ruffle, and McCall’s 8950, imagining your mantilla as the detachable, ruffle-like stole on the strapless gown modeled by Brooke Shields.

Q: I have a beautiful 5-year-old cashmere coat. It was quite expensive and in top condition except for one thing. What was once a lovely creamy winter white has deepened into an almost yellow color. I would very much like to dye the coat a perfect, true, clear blue-based red. My first choice is to bleach it, but I fear that that would weaken the fibers. Red is my best color, but I would opt for any color that you feel would survive the transition. Where and to whom should I take my coat? Can it even be done?--R.S.

A: No. I took your question to Jerry Goldstone of Museum Textile Cleaners in Northridge, who says the heat and water used in dyeing would destroy the fibers in your coat. Goldstone says to save the money you would have spent trying to dye it and apply it to a new coat. I say you can convert your coat into a shawl or scarf. Or, if you really can’t bear the current color, turn your coat into a stadium blanket or a throw for your bed.

Marylou Luther welcomes questions from readers. Mail to Clotheslines, Fashion85, The Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.