Caring for hand-embellished clothing

Never wash an embellished piece at home. Water loosens the thread that holds pearl and mirror work, and the damage is rarely visible until the piece is worn again.

Store flat where you can, or on a padded hanger with the weight taken by the shoulder seam rather than the embellishment. Cotton garment bags, never plastic.

For travel, turn the piece inside out and roll it around a length of tissue. Creases fall out; broken thread does not.