Most sympathetic way to mend a 1970s dress

I

Impey

Registered Guest
Hi All

I picked up a 1970s (probably) dress online which - despite being told it has no tears etc - when it arrived has a visible fray/pull/hole by the armpit on the front side. I don’t want to just throw it away (not least because I love the pattern), but I have no idea whether it’s possible to mend it or how to do it that will make it least noticeable. Options I have thought of include a random dart (which I’d need to replicate on the other side), moving the sleeve in (which would be a big job and ditto) or some kind of internal patch? I’ve included photos but any advice would be super appreciated!

with thanks

Impey
 

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Does photo 3 show the fray or your proposed dart? Can you provide a good photo of the fray and where it is in relation to the seam.
 
claireshaeffer said:
Does photo 3 show the fray or your proposed dart? Can you provide a good photo of the fray and where it is in relation to the seam.
Click to expand...
Hi Claire

thanks for your reply. Photo 3 is the fray (I’ve not tried anything yet) and hopefully a better
photo below. Just about every seam on the dress needs reseeding, which is a bit annoying but doable. It’s just the fray I’m really stumped by.

help much appreciated!
 

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Impey said:
Hi Claire

thanks for your reply. Photo 3 is the fray (I’ve not tried anything yet) and hopefully a better
photo below. Just about every seam on the dress needs reseeding, which is a bit annoying but doable. It’s just the fray I’m really stumped by.

help much appreciated!
Click to expand...
Or even resewing!
 
I see your dilemma. It looks like the fabric is a nylon jersey, and you have a run in your nylon!
 
My first impulse would be one you mentioned - a narrow dart to enclose it with a matching one under the other arm. The problem is that you will end up with a pucker on the other side of the armhole seam.
 
Thanks Maggie - I think the reality is that any mend will be imperfect, but it’s better than the ‘run’! And you are entirely right - that is exactly what it looks like - a run in a pair of tights!
 
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