BY CAROLE ROSNER

Best friends, sisters-in-laws and moms, Jennifer Altounian and Noelle Vitolo, definitely thought outside the box—outside a garment preservation box that is—when they started their own business a year and a half ago.

Jennifer Altounian and Noelle Vitolo. Photos: Courtesy Making It More

Their company, Making It More, creates elegant new items from heirloom wedding dresses. “This is a way to wear your mom’s dress in a whole new way,” Jennifer explains. Materials from wedding dresses and veils are reworked and re-purposed into shoes, garter belts, purses, decorative pillows, throw blankets, and even art work. The integrity of the original dress is preserved while turning it into something useful and beautiful.

Sylvia Karapetian of Woodland Hills was brought to tears when she saw her Making It More items. “My dress was sitting in a gold box in the closet. I forgot what it looked like. I had a hard time giving my dress to them at first, but my items are gorgeous.” Her Swarovski jeweled bodice was kept intact and turned into a piece of art with matching shadow box, upholstered frame and jeweled hanger. The hem of her dress was made into a perfectly sized decorative pillow complete with crystals, and the back of the dress was reworked into a throw blanket lined in comfy chenille. There was even material left over from Sylvia’s dress to make a washable silk duvet cover and European style bed shams.

Materials from wedding dresses and veils are reworked and re-purposed into shoes, garter belts, purses, decorative pillows, throw blankets, and even art work.

Every Making It More item is custom designed and individually sewn. Prices vary depending on the level of work involved and any extra materials that might be needed. Making It More will match any fabric that has become discolored with age and will provide a variety of design options. Average price for a photo album cover is $150 and $1500 for a complete bedding set. It takes about four to six weeks from design to completion.

Brides often think that they will save their wedding dress for someone else to wear, but in reality, by the time the new bride is ready to wed she’s often chosen a completely different gown. With a reworked item from Making It More, the memories of that special occasion can be enjoyed every day and shared by generations to come.

MDF READERS: TAKE 15% off with any order. For further info, (818) 640-9665

Swarovski jeweled bodice was kept intact and turned into a piece of art with matching shadow box, upholstered frame and jeweled hanger

www.makingitmore.com

Carole Rosner is a native Valley Girl who took the school bus with Michael and Janet Jackson and worked at the Sherman Oaks Galleria in its heyday. She likes to spend her free time finding bargains at Crossroads Trading Company, eating Chinese chicken salad at Stanley’s and admiring the view from Fryman Canyon. Check out her blogs: www.anythinggoodlately.blogspot.com and www.sandwichedbetween.blogspot.com

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