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 girl.

The gown should continue to serve a meaningful purpose. Recycling a communion dress can give it a new life. The end result can take many forms. The only criteria for recycling a communion dress is to continue spreading 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. You can create links and continue traditions or start new ones. On the practical side, sharing can reduce costs for other families. Sometimes a few modifications can create a completely different look for the next user.

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 parties. However, if you plan to keep the dress for use in future years, you must follow the proper preservation procedures. To avoid damage over time, you should consult a conservation specialist. Otherwise, you must buy a preservation kit.

If you are delivering a gown shortly after the ceremony, you do not need to follow these preventive steps. However, you should always follow proper cleaning procedures after use. Consider a professional cleanser for best results.

3. Be charitable

Charity, like recycling, can take many forms. Drop off the dress at a thrift store for someone to buy it at a low price. Some charities even give dresses to those in need. Some organizations sell formal wear and use the funds for a worthwhile project.

Some formal wear retailers recycle the dresses and donate a percentage of the proceeds to charities. Organize your own charitable project and get your daughter involved. Make a private sale, but discuss with the child how you can use the money to benefit a charitable cause. Children can offer very creative suggestions.

Give the fabric a new life

The fabric of the First Communion dress can be used in many creative ways. Wearing the fabric is about renewed life, new purpose, and heartfelt expression. Creativity is the exact opposite of destruction. There are many reasons to be happy with the creative recycling of a communion dress.

4. make a flower girl basket

A flower girl basket is incredibly beautiful on its own. However, if you cover the basket with a very special fabric, its beauty and meaning reach a whole new level. Use material from a communion dress for flower girl baskets at a family wedding. Maybe you can even save some fabric for your daughter’s wedding day.

5. Wear something special

If you like to sew, you can easily turn the fabric of a communion dress into a unique bag. The satin, pearls and flowers of the dress combine to create a beautiful bag. Add a practical and pretty lanyard and a white bow to make an amazing 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 one-of-a-kind 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 from satin, so they are a perfect match. Of course, the communion dresses and shawls are also made from other fine fabrics. You can make a splendid shawl out of any communion dress material. Exquisite details, such as sequins, can be used as an ornament. For sleeveless dresses, a shawl is an elegant accessory.

7. Tying ribbons and bows

Ribbons and bows have always been popular for communion dresses. Big white bows were considered very stylish for communion girls in the early 20th century. However, bows and ribbons have maintained that popularity. They look lovely in communion dresses. They dazzle, along with sequins and pearls, in headdresses.

A girl can never have enough ribbons and bows to wear on special occasions. You can make numerous accessories with a dress. Don’t forget to make some fancy headbands suitable for special occasions. Headbands are always popular with young girls. The communion veil with a diadem is one of the most popular styles.

8. Dress up the dolls

Your little girl certainly looked like a doll in her special dress. Most girls wouldn’t mind sharing that beauty with their precious dolls. The beautiful fabrics and exquisite details of a communion dress can make for 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 very special to be able to pass a doll to your daughter, especially if her dress is made with your communion dress.

9. Handkerchiefs are useful

You can make nice scarves with the fine fabric of a dress. Take the time to make them special and they can be used for future occasions. The lace-edged handkerchiefs can be saved for Confirmation or even a girl’s wedding day.

They can be special gifts for sisters and aunts. The fabric could make pocket squares for siblings and dads. Creative people have even made ties and bow ties out of communion dresses.

The kerchief idea is a very effective method of recycling a stained dress. The damage can prevent the gown from being worn or worn in other ways. However, you should be able to save enough material to make some tissues.

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 make the occasion perfect.

The tablecloth and napkins can also decorate your table when you are a grown woman. Such a satin white fabric could even be used at your wedding reception. The fabric would look beautiful on the table where the wedding guest book or gifts are displayed.

11. Celebrate the holidays

All children love Christmas and of course the Christmas tree. Turn the communion dress into a Christmas tree skirt and see the light in a girl’s eyes. You will have the best dressed Christmas tree and the happiest child. This festive Christmas tree skirt will look fashionable throughout the holiday seasons. Matching her spectacular tree skirt, decorate the Christmas tree with white bows and pearl garlands.

12. make a special memory

Every girl should keep special memories of the day of her communion. Make a keepsake box to hold your precious reminders. Use communion dress fabric to cover and line this little treasure. A girl can keep many treasures inside the memory box. It can contain your medals or jewelry gifts in honor of your First Communion.

13. Hold on to memories

The precious pieces of the communion dress hold special memories. The fabric can be part of a First Communion scrapbook. Consider making a framed keepsake to display with family photos. Making a shadow box is a great way to preserve memories. Use the fabric as a background and include other keepsakes like First Communion invitations.

14. Keep the perfect image

Keep your memories safe and secure in a beautiful photo album. Make the exterior of an album as beautiful as the photos on 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 beautiful fragrance

Enjoy a beautiful fragrance in a nice package; make a beautiful and durable envelope. Satin and lavender make a sensational envelope. The special girl will love wearing them and they can also be shared with the family. You can make several scented bags with a communion dress.

16. make special pillows and blankets

The sacraments of Baptism and First Communion share a religious meaning. Use the fabric of a communion dress for a baptismal blanket. The fabric is also perfect for a ring bearer pillow or a baby pillow. Pass these special creations on to a family member or save them for your daughter. Using a ring bearer pillow or baptismal blanket, made with your communion dress, 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 games, every princess needs a special dress. You already have a beautiful dress. Buy additional fabric at a low price and introduce more color and details.

A full pink ruffle 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 fishnet can be the crowning glory of a Halloween costume. Model the dress after a girl’s favorite princess storybook.

18. make a princess table

Every little princess deserves a Princess desk. Make a loose skirt for a round nightstand. Snaps can be used to allow the fabric to close together and give it a fitted look. If the dress has a pretty bow, you can also use clasps to attach it to the table skirt. An ordinary round table can easily be transformed into a table fit for royalty.

19. Save it for a sleeping beauty

Make a skirt for a baby’s crib with the communion dress. Pass it on to new parents or save it for the future. A small baby is very likely to sleep soundly in such lovely surroundings. The adorable little girl or cute baby will have a beautiful start in life. Make a unique baby hat and dress the little one in style, from head to toe.

20. Save it for another sleeping beauty

Use her communion dress to make the most beautiful bedroom for a little princess. White is a cool and refreshing color to wake up to every morning. The fabric can be used for pillow cases or decorative pillows. The delicate, ruffled material is perfect for a window 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 fashion quilt. After a bedtime story, a sleeping beauty will be surrounded by beauty as she follows her dreams. Isn’t that how the story should always end for all girls?