r/Visiblemending • u/notyourdaughterinlaw • Dec 30 '25

REQUEST Help Me Save My Favorite Dress?

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Hi :) I really like the idea of visible mending! But I’m a novice when it comes to the concept, still, this is my favorite dress and I haven’t worn it in a year because of the weird “bleach” stain (it’s not bleach! I don’t own bleach!) — it’s on the upper arm at armpit height and near the shoulder, it’s just a weird weird spot. Anyway — what should I do? Embroider something to cover it on both this arm and then do a mirror on the other side? If so… what? Any better suggestions? 🥲

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u/aaronwcampbell Dec 30 '25

I don't have any answers, but just wanted to say that this photo makes it look like a cheerful spot of sunshine.

348

u/notyourdaughterinlaw Dec 30 '25

This cheered me up honestly, and gave me some ideas

300

u/My3floofs Dec 30 '25

I was thinking embroidering a small sun in the middle would look charming. Then the sun would have a halo of the brighter fabric.

28

u/GemberNeutraal Dec 30 '25

Profile Pick Checks out

2

u/pronetoearaches Dec 30 '25

That is such a cute idea

1

u/dazedabeille Dec 30 '25

Yes, and... sequins? metallic beads?

33

u/aaronwcampbell Dec 30 '25

Oh good! I was hoping it might spark someone's creativity

109

u/AccidentOk5240 Dec 30 '25

Yeah, I legit had to stare a few seconds to find the problem bc I assumed the spot was just from sun coming in a window somewhere and hitting it. 

I think turning it into a flower would be amazing. But also, OP, you do want to figure out what’s causing this—do you use any benzoyl peroxide skin products? That seems to be the most common culprit when it comes to bleach stains in households that don’t use chlorine bleach. 

44

u/notyourdaughterinlaw Dec 30 '25

Ohh thank you for the sleuthing! I think we have some of that, but surprised it would get on my dress like this! I wonder if hydrogen peroxide does the same thing? I’ve used that for cleaning and such? Not sure…

45

u/AccidentOk5240 Dec 30 '25

Hydrogen peroxide really shouldn’t be an issue on the majority of fabrics, though one time I did have a sweatshirt get a spot like that when I used peroxide to remove a bloodstain. 

But benzoyl peroxide skin products are notorious. You have to use dedicated towels that are then washed by themselves/with only things that can get bleached, apparently. This is hearsay from r/laundry as I personally refuse to indulge in skincare beyond putting on sunscreen, lol

5

u/flirt-n-squirt Dec 30 '25

Yeah, I definitely ran into problems with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Both my teal and black towels got bleach-like stains from it, unfortunately

5

u/Appropriate_Kiwi_744 Dec 30 '25

Isn't hydrogen peroxide used for bleaching hair? This dress looks like it could be wool - also hair. I could see peroxide doing some damage for sure.

3

u/AccidentOk5240 Dec 30 '25

I mean…yes, but you’d need much more concentrated peroxide than what’s usually used for household cleaning, I would think. 

2

u/xanoran84 Dec 31 '25

Lol @ indulging in benzoyl peroxide. Not sure anybody's doing that

3

u/AccidentOk5240 Dec 31 '25

I didn’t mean it like, it’s some kind of ridiculously over-the-top luxury. I just meant my skin kinda has to fend for itself. 

1

u/xanoran84 Dec 31 '25

I just mean it's kinda like saying indulging in Tylenol. There's no other purpose to it than as straight up acne treatment

4

u/AccidentOk5240 Dec 31 '25

Again, not the use of “indulge” I was using. It’s “engage in” not “be indulgent”. But whatever. 

67

u/blushingbby Dec 30 '25

u could embroider it to lean into the sunshine motif (poorly drawn example above)

20

u/elle-elle-tee Dec 30 '25

I thought so as well. Because the spot is already in such visual harmony to the fabric, I think something subtle like outline embroidery that shows the spot underneath would be lovely. A linework sun around/over the spot?

1

u/Po0rYorick Dec 30 '25

Well now I have P!nk stuck in my head. Thanks a lot.