To hem or not to hem....Ummmmm???!

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seven****

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Questions, questions, always questions!
This early 60's (correct me if I'm wrong) hand-beaded, salmon-pink crepe cocktail/evening dress has a problem. It has been eaten away near the hem (see preliminary pics). I'm wondering if I should have it professionally hemmed and then sell it or sell it as is and let the person hem it to their desired length.

Thank you!!!

Deborah

<img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d30/alamov/Furs/BeadedDressHem.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">
<img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d30/alamov/Furs/BeadedDressFr.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">
<img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d30/alamov/Furs/BeadedDressFrCU.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">
<img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d30/alamov/Furs/BeadedDressBeadCU.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">
 
If not for the awesome color & beading on this, I'd have been tempted to say leave it as is.... But my first impression is to have it hemmed (a very narrow, barely there, turn-over-and-stitch hem so as not to take off too much length). That's what I'd do anyway, depending on how much it cost! I think you'd recoup your investment in doing so! JMHO.... As to the age.... What is the fabric & what kind of zipper, if any, does it have? Offhand, I think I'd put this a little later than early 60s.
 
Thanks, Anne. Picture below: good color match to dress and made by Talon. The dress is crepe (hangs beautifully and has a great swing/swish to it) and the lining appears to be a good quality acetate (or a thin taffeta - if there is such a thing!). The lining does not flare like the dress, it is narrow, but not hugging. The union tag is stamped with ILGWU in the middle (like 2nd label in label resource). There are no other labels. It also has bra stays. Overall, a very well made dress,

The truth is I've had potential buyers - everyone who sees it wants it - but it hasn't fit anyone yet. One friend borrowed as a template for her wedding dress last year (and she matched the color!!!!)It's quite small, about a 4.

Thanks again Anne. Your help is mucho grande appreaciated.

<img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d30/alamov/BeadedDressZip.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">
 
Rolled hem

With that type of fabric, doing a rolled hem on a serger is probably best. If your sewing machine has an overlock and appropriate presser foot, you should be able to do a rolled hem easily on your sewing machine. It will make the garment look finished and the buyer can still hem to desired length. The dress is gorgeous!
Mia, MissyMiaDesigns
 
hmmmm....a size 4....that's me!!!!!

I really like the color and the design of the dress. I can't help with dating it, but I can say that to fix it would help increase your profit.
 
Thanks, Mia and Jamie!!!
If I was any good at sewing, I'd tackle it (my mother was an excellent seamstress and sewed and knitted all our clothes when we were young - wish I still had them!) but I just never took to it. Minor repairs, hems, buttons and such, I'm fine with, but I'll leave the rest to the experts!

Deborah
 
If that's a rayon or woven-poly crepe & not a knit crepe, and it sounds like it from your description, and a nylon zipper (I couldn't really tell from the photo, but even if it's metal, I'd say the same thing), I'd put this at the late 60s. It's very much like the dress my mom wore to my first wedding (with a shawl for church, of course!) in 1974, but the bust treatment is nearly identical to a couple of dresses I had that I know were mid to late 60s. I may be all wrong on this, but that's my impression, anyway!
 
Thanks again, Anne. Sorry, forgot to mention it's is a metal zipper and mid to late sixties sounds good!!!

TTFA

Deborah
 
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