Greetings all. Just wandered over from CooksTalk and OTF to ask for some advice. I’ve got a stunning black and navy blue silk blouse (purchased from Marshall Fields, ON SALE!!) that’s a few years old. A couple of days ago, I noticed that one of the sleeves has a tear in it and some of the silk threads have separated.
I know my limitations and could attempt a repair but it would be very, very obvious. Are there silk “restorers”(for lack of a better word) out there that would be able to make the repair less obvious? Do people get that specialized in the sewing world?
Any info would be appreciated.
This jobless recovery has done more to promote the consumption of exquisite chocolate than the finest chocolatier. Cost be damned.
Replies
hey there! There are tailor shops that can reweave torn fabrics, but usually its done with heftier fabrics like suiting wool. My guess is that to have the tear fixed would probably be more expensive than you paid for it originally.
My fix would be to get a piece of sheer silk organdy or china silk and patch it from the wrong side using very small hand stitches and then darn the tear to the patch on the right side.
You don't have anything to lose by taking the blouse to a seamstress or tailor and asking if it can be repaired. Sometimes, depending on where the tear is, a patch can be used. A very skillful seamstress (like moi, but I don't do commercial work) can repair such a thing with free-motion embroidery, duplicating any pattern or design. That would be expensive.
However, if the fabric itself is disintegrating, as does happen with silk, there's no point.
If the tear is at the bottom edge of the sleeve and it is a long sleeve perhaps it can be made into a short sleeve blouse without looking too frightful or hideous. Also depending on location it could have a nice tasteful embroidery placed over it. You say you got it at Marshal Fields would that be one in the Chicago land area? If so give me an email I might be able to help you with it.
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