Friday, 22 August 2025

What Does MIB Mean?

I thought it was Men in Black, but in the NANSA CS in Norwich, they have a basket by the door. Everything is £1, and labelled with a tag saying MIB and describing a fault. Ripped sleeve, broken zip, stain on front, faulty seam...
I picked up a dress, it was a really pretty 100% cotton fabric. And my size too. But a horrid rip in the sleeve and half the buttons missing.
I'm not sure if MIB means "Mend It"Basket, or "Make It Better" but the fabric was lovely and I knew I could make something from it. When I got home, I carefully unpicked both sleeves. The dress was extremely well made, every seam stitched neatly, and all raw edges properly finished. The tag said "Patra", not a name I recognised. I tried on the dress. It was...snug. But pretty, an incentive yo lose a few lbs. I bound the armholes with bias binding, found buttons to fill the gaps, and added discreet hooks&eyes between the top buttons to stop gaping.
Definitely good value for money.
My
Incredible Bargain.
Midi-dress In Blue
More Interesting Buttons?

Do you ever buy things from a CS which needs mending?
What has been your best bargain?



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27 comments:

  1. Anonymous22 August 2025 at 07:13

    I think it's Patra, a posh brand I’ve heard of which specialises in natural fabrics and slightly ethnic designs. You've made it look really lovely. Nicky K

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  2. Angela22 August 2025 at 07:48

    Thank you Nicky, I have corrected my typo. It is Patra, and looking at the website, I think I definitely have done well.

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  3. KirstenM22 August 2025 at 08:46

    So pretty! I bet you're looking forward to wearing it. 🌟

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    Replies
    1. Angela22 August 2025 at 09:54

      hoping for a sunny Sunday to wear it at church

      Delete
  4. Sencosue22 August 2025 at 08:52

    That is lovely material. I have bought things from CS with missing buttons or it may be the odd stain with hope that Vanish will work but nothing that requires real needlework or complex repairs. My best bargain was a Ghost silk blouse with two missing buttons for £2 easily remedied I just replaced all the buttons to matching ones. Regards Sue H

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  5. Between Me and You22 August 2025 at 09:01

    Pretty dress and great job on the reno (kids speak for renovation!!). Looks like an Indian print? I bought a boxy denim jacket (like the ones that they made on Sewing Bee this week) from CS on Wednesday but didn't notice how puffed and gathered the sleeves were set in at the shoulder. After unsuccessfully trying to unpick and realign material, I gave it to my 94.5yr old mother to fix! I'd just got home and an hour and a half later she rang me to say my jacket was ready!!it's perfect now.

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    Replies
    1. Angela22 August 2025 at 09:58

      I hope I am still sewing like that when I am 94½! Must remember not to confuse reno = fixing with Reno = den of iniquity & gambling [I learned all this from Maggie Smith in Sister Act]

      Delete
  6. Nelliegrace22 August 2025 at 09:26

    A pretty frock, made special by your sewing skills. Is there enough fabric leftover for a useful pocket?

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    Replies
    1. Angela22 August 2025 at 09:59

      I thought about it, but decided it wouldn't fit in the side seams [lumpy hips] and wouldn't sit well on the front. I am saving the 'good sleeve' though. It will get used eventually.

      Delete
  7. Kezzie22 August 2025 at 10:13

    My mum LOVES Patra!! It's a posh brand which uses silks and beautiful bamboo and really good quality. We had lovely silk blouses from there. I found a top of theirs in the charity shop in May and I was pleased!
    Your adaptation of the dress is lovely. You could add some pink piping or ricrac if you wanted to make it a truly Ang original.
    By the way, I sent the parcel yesterday so look out for it! Xx

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  8. Terri22 August 2025 at 11:02

    Love the fabric and you did a great job on re-doing it!

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  9. Sue in Suffolk22 August 2025 at 12:09

    I've not heard of charity shops selling things that need repair, they are usually added to the Rag Bag.

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    Replies
    1. Angela22 August 2025 at 15:55

      Apparently the price paid for rags has fallen, so maybe trying to sell them on as 'damaged' goods boosts the income a little

      Delete
  10. Bless22 August 2025 at 12:33

    You did a great job mending your new dress! I haven't bought any clothes in a long time, but, I have been given many garments by my cousins, and now, by my daughter!

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    Replies
    1. Angela22 August 2025 at 15:55

      And now she is back living with you, that may happen even more, Bless!

      Delete
  11. Bushlady22 August 2025 at 13:01

    What a lovely find, now that you have made it wearable. Our local CS asks for only items that are not stained or in need of repair.

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    Replies
    1. Angela22 August 2025 at 15:56

      So do the CS here, but people ignore that request and still donate unwearable garments

      Delete
  12. Boud22 August 2025 at 13:20

    There's a company in the US that sells clothes needing repair or reno, from designer sources, unworn,usually a sewing mishap at the factory. Great idea.
    MIB certainly doesn't mean Mint In Box, known to doll and toy collectors.

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  13. Anonymous22 August 2025 at 13:43

    I've never heard of Patra but looks good after all your tender loving care.
    Alison in Devon x

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  14. Elizabethd22 August 2025 at 17:19

    Very pretty dress. I have bought Patra before. It's a good make. Well done with your repair skills!

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  15. Gill - That British Woman22 August 2025 at 21:04

    lovely dress you did a great job.

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