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I noticed today that on my fairy one of the horizontal threads on the weave has split and is coming unwoven. Its on the front of the fabric and by the look of it it has either caught on something (unlikely because I'm super careful when stitching and it gets covered when being stored/not in use)or frayed.

I've pulled the thread back straight and through to the back of the fabric as well as I can but there is no repairing it. I've used a dab of Fray check to stop the thread coming apart again temporarily but can I do anything else to stop/repair it? I'm sure that the fray check wont hold it long term will it?

It's maybe half an inch from the edge of the wing on the right hand side as you look at it - not a position I could really add anything in to cover it to hold it

All suggestions welcome!

Would it be possible to put a bit of vylene (not sure of the spelling) on the back to hold it together or an iron on patch or something similar.

Rosemary

Would that stop the rest of the thread from un -weaving? (I know that's not a proper word :p)

At this stage restitching the piece is definitely not an option and I am will to try anything to stop it getting worse

Look at this picture:
http://www.crossstitchforum.com/gallery ... 1&start=60" target="_blank" target="_blank

There was a hole in the dress, I put a small piece of fabric under it, pinned it in place and stitched over it. Nothing can be seen.

That is gorgeous Agi. Would that work if I didn't stitch over the top?

Like if I bought some evenweave in the same colour and count and attached it to the back?

Its not really in a position that I CAN stitch anything over the top. I would need to add something totally new to the pattern and I don't really want to do that if I can help it.

Was reading on Ju Wildmans blog and something similar happened to her.Hope this helps.

http://www.crossstitchforum.com/viewtop ... 3&start=20" target="_blank" target="_blank

Thanks for that - that's the kind of thing I'm thinking of but the rip isn't in a place that I can add a border, and it will be incredibly difficult to add anything else in. Its the second piece in a pair so any changes I make to this one ill have to make to the other one as well.

*Edit* I have some threads coming loose from the edge of the fabric (normal fraying) Would it be possible to unweave the loose thread from the wing to the edge of the fabric and completely replace it with one of these? Or would that be too difficult/ruin the fabric?

I think you can try weaving in another thread, you just have to be very careful about tension.

Remembered Mauveme did a bit of weaving on her piece.

http://www.crossstitchforum.com/viewtop ... s&start=40" target="_blank" target="_blank

Hope you get it sorted.

Weaving is going to be the best, but you'll find that the threads that have come loose are kinked where they have crossed other threads. If its linen, or has a slub it won't matter very much, but if its something like jobelan, which is very even, it could show quite noticeably.

So I'd do some trial runs on a bit that won't be seen when its finished, and see whether threads from the edge will work, or whether you are better off using a matching bit of floss.

It will improve when you wash it, of course.

What we really need is photos!!

Thanks everyone for the help, advice and reassurance.

I tried the weaving out on the edge of the fabric that wont show when its framed and left it overnight. This morning I did it for the section that was ripped. It looks great. I can see its there but its not hugely noticeable (it looks like I've run a needle along the fabric with a touch too much force above and below the replaced thread). I am confident that it will settle with time and washing.

ruthi - there is a stitch a long for the piece in the stitch along section and I'm hoping to update the picture in the next week or so, and complete it in the next 3 weeks

Once again - thanks everyone