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Member since 11/16/05
Posts: 1570
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Posted on: 1/24/08 9:56 AM ET
I have a RTW polyester chiffon blouse with long sleeves and cuffs. On one sleeve, the fabric tore along the seam with which it is attached to the cuff. I took the cuff off, stabilized the torn fabric with very soft, fusible interfacing and reattached the cuff slightly above the original seam to cover the tear. The sleeve became a tiny bit shorter, but not noticeably so.

After only wearing the blouse once, the fabric was tearing again along the seam line. I don’t want to fix it the way I already tried because that evidently didn’t work. Can anybody suggest something different?

Thanks,

Claudia
  
Member since 4/1/07
Posts: 959
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Posted on: 1/24/08 10:06 AM ET
In reply to purplebouquet
If the fabric is tearing, the thread is too strong. That's the first problem. The thread should pop before the seam.
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Member since 11/16/05
Posts: 1570
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Posted on: 1/24/08 10:35 AM ET
In reply to Therisa
There is no thread popping. The fabric just tears so it ends up looking frayed. The seam itself is unchanged. Is this a better description?
  
Member since 4/1/07
Posts: 959
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Posted on: 1/24/08 11:32 AM ET
In reply to purplebouquet
Right. That's what I'm saying. The thread is too strong. It's supposed to break if there's strain, not cause the fabric to fray. Plus the seam might be too close to the edge for the type of fabric. I sew chiffon all the time, and I use a french seam. I make sure the seam is not under any stress, either. I don't know what stress your seam might be under.
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Fabric Purchased in 2011: 37 yards
Fabric Sewn in 2011: 0 yards
Current Contest Moderator: Lined Jacket
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Member since 2/16/06
Posts: 3174
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Posted on: 1/24/08 11:51 AM ET
If it was truly a tear, then you are putting more stress on the fabric than it can withstand. I don't think there's anything that you can do about that.

However, if the seam came apart because the fabric frayed, then that's a different story. You can use fray check to stablize the fabric. You can also, as Therisa suggested, sew with a bigger seam. Maybe others can think of other fixes.

Em


-- Edited on 1/24/08 11:51 AM --
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From what others have said, the nasty message came from Fitting Woes, NOT Misc Hot Topics or the Civility thread.

  
Member since 3/9/07
Posts: 1481
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Posted on: 1/24/08 12:19 PM ET
You could also purchase a similarly colored chiffon, cut bias strips, make folded bias tape, and encase the entire length of the sleeve seam in the chiffon bias tape. This would simulate the strength of the french seams that Therisa uses.

I agree that a two-time shredding of the fabric suggests either that the particular area of your blouse is experiencing repetitive stress, or that (hope not), the fabric itself is old and semi-rotting.

--Lily
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Lily
  
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Member since 7/26/07
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Posted on: 1/24/08 12:56 PM ET
In reply to purplebouquet
If I understand it, the tear is where the sleeve joins the cuff. If so, there is probably too much stress on that "joint". Are the sleeves just barely long enough for you maybe?

All I can think of is using a finer thread for the seam. Oh, one other thing would be how close or tight are your stitches for that seam? If they are too close, the stitching would act somewhat like a micro-perforation.

If you try again, you might also use a fine bead of Fray Chek along the seam to try to prevent another tearing or fraying.

That's about it for me.
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Member since 11/16/05
Posts: 1570
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Posted on: 1/29/08 1:19 PM ET
In reply to EleanorSews
Thanks for everybody's input. I used regular thread and a very fine needle. The stitches might be too close, that's a good thought.

I had to hang this blouse back in the closet for now as I was dreading another fix-it attempt. In my mind, I am attempting a multi-media approach of a stabilizer agent, fray check, handstitching and some black lace ribbon to camouflage the repair with a design detail.

The sleeve fits well, not too tight, not too short. The blouse was a sample garment from a RTW collection my friend sells via private home parties. She gave me the blouse for free because of the rip, which I thought I could fix. I am still hopeful. The tear might have resulted from somebody whose arms were too long or wide--who knows.

Claudia
  
Member since 2/2/08
Posts: 15
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Posted on: 2/2/08 8:00 PM ET
There's a product out there called Fray Check that is a big help with fabrics like chiffon. Basically it's a clear liquid that you apply to the fabric and it keeps it from coming apart.

I learned about this the hard way when I made a renaissance costume and the chiffon sleeves started coming apart at the seams! A lady approached me and told me about Fray Check. Although it didn't save me the embarrassment at the renaissance fair, it held the seams together once I resewed the sleeves.
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