Invisible repairs (so called!) - worth a shot?

Hattysattic

Hattysattic

VFG Member
I've spent this morning ringing around for a seamstress (no one is in though! :( ) as I really need to find one that would be happy to take on all my small repairs on a regular basis.

Usually I will do all the little bits and pieces myself when I actually get round to it but when it comes to the nicer stuff I thought a) it would be nicer to have a professional repair and b) it might actually get done this year.

Anyway, when I finally do track down a willing pair of hands i wanted to ask them amongst other things about repairing a small L shaped tear in a 30s wedding dress. It's a lovely dress, and I have put hours into cleaning and steaming it. If someone is happy to attempt it is it worth doing? Has anyone had any success with this type of repair, or would it be better left and sold as is?

It's about an inch up from the hem at the side near a seam, and all the fabric is still there. No close up of damage (1/2 an inch by 1/2 an inch tear approx) but here's the dress:




TIA!
:)
 
Harriet, I mended a much larger "L" shape tear in a silk chiffon. It came out great..almost invisible.

Love the gown and think it is 30s, but I am no expert on that era.
 
Harriett, did you clean the dress yourself?? If so, please provide details on how as it looks beautiful!! I have a 40s satin wedding gown that has some storage spots on it and don't want to spend a fortune drycleaning it!
 
I agree your stunning dress is late 30s. I also agree the tear can be repaired so it's not visible. I've repaired silk and chiffon by hand and the repairs have not been visible.

I would love to know your cleaning secrets. I have a 40s dress that needs cleaning. The dry cleaner just did an OK job on my 40s dress. My normal approach is a non-chlorinated bleach like Biz. I like Oxi-Clean, too.

Really, though, your dress is so lovely and photographed so well. When I see photos like this, I realize my photographic skills are in need of major improvement.
 
Beautiful dress, Harriet! I'd like to know the trick to repairing these types of tears - special threads, stitches???.

Deborah
 
On my chiffon one (emma domb dress), I just used a lot of magnification..lol..and tiny tiny stitches in a matching color.

Here is a partial previous post of mine on another board.


This is the repair job on the red chiffon Emma Domb I posted yesterday. It had an L shape cut in the chiffon. Took me about an hour and I used my reading glasses and these that I use for jewelry. LOL

<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a284/vintageclothesline2/000emmadombrepairs8.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"><br><br>


<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a284/vintageclothesline2/000emmadombrepairs.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"><br><br>See, it is so close to the seam, it just looks like another seam.<br><br><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a284/vintageclothesline2/000emmadombrepairs4.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com"><br><br>
 
This is the first time I'd tried to clean anything of this sort - I'm usually too scared! Bit it had such a dirty hem that I didn't think the cleaner would be thorough enough - it's a rayon satin and I used cool water and woolite. I have to admit though, I have a big beaded 40s satin cathedral train number and the thought of going over and then STEAMING (nightmare) it all myself made me reach for my wallet - it's at the cleaners for the works as we speak... :BAGUSE:

Just spoke to the seamstress who will call me back in a few days to arrange for me to go over and see her next week? It's harder than getting seen at the dentist, honestly! :)

I'll get her to have a look, but I'd like to know too about the stitches Anne - for when I attempt it myself on something I'm a little less concerned about being perfect first time!
 
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