Hand embroidery: repair of old & new linen
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Repairing hand-embroidered tablecloths, curtains, pillows, and garments: restoring unraveling embroidery, fixing holes and tears, highlighting and integrating preserved embroidery details into new textiles. Preserving and creating value: RIBISLI Handcraft Clinic.

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Take advantage of our extensive experience and knowledge in embroidery! At RIBISLI, we offer you unique, high-quality handcraftsmanship, which has become increasingly rare and invaluable. We take great pleasure in passing on our expertise to you in the form of a beautifully restored or newly created embroidered piece.

Has the embroidery on your tablecloth, lovingly made by your grandmother, started to unravel? Has the tablecloth torn or no longer fit your current table? Is your beautiful old tablecloth full of holes, with the fabric beginning to fray, yet you still wish to save its exquisite embroidery?

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We offer the following services

  • Restoring unraveling embroidery

    Securing and re-stitching loose embroidery threads.

  • Repairing holes and tears

    Recreating and re-embroidering patterns over damaged areas to seamlessly integrate with the original design.

  • New embroidery

    Reproducing vintage embroidery patterns and creating matching complementary pieces (e.g., napkins) for antique tablecloths.

  • Upcycling

    If a tablecloth is beyond repair—eaten by moths, frayed beyond saving—we incorporate the intact embroidery details into a new tablecloth or garment. We can even extend the design with additional embroidery in the original style. The result is something both old and new, a cherished memory transformed into a modern piece.

What is needed to successfully restore embroidered garments and tablecloths?
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  • Master knowledge of a wide range of vintage embroidery stitching techniques

  • A vast collection of antique textiles for cases where damaged fabric needs to be replaced with authentic material.

  • Numerous reference books and embroidery pattern albums with detailed technique descriptions.

  • A wide selection of embroidery threads in different colors, thicknesses, and qualities.

  • Exceptional patience, a magnifying glass, and a passion for handcrafting.

  • Competitive prices and an efficient, cost-effective organization.

Customer Testimonials
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Trust and transparency are very important to us. That’s why we ask our clients to share their experiences.

RIBISLI’s high-quality, hand-stitched embroidery and drawn-thread work have impressed both our Hungarian and international guests. I am grateful to the talented women who contributed to creating this remarkable collection.

New Hand-Embroidered Table Linens in Traditional Quality — Klára Lipcsei (Embassy of Hungary, The Hague)

Frequently Asked Questions

Before reaching out to us, please read how we work and what aspects need careful consideration before placing an order.

  • To ensure efficient work and based on our experience over the years, we recommend that you first send us digital photos of the textiles in question to info@ribisli.com.

    The quality of the photos doesn’t have to be perfect—it’s more important to send multiple images, including:

    • A full picture of the entire textile.

    • Close-ups of the damaged areas for a thorough review.

    Please also include the dimensions of the textile and any other relevant details (e.g., estimated age, condition, possible causes of damage, etc.).

    Based on this information, we will quickly determine whether a repair is advisable. If we believe that a beautiful and reasonably priced restoration, renovation, or transformation is possible, we will further discuss your expectations and provide a detailed proposal.

    The proposal will outline:

    • The work we undertake.

    • The quality, cost, and timeline of the restoration.

    You do not necessarily have to bring the damaged textile to our Budapest office in person. Many of our clients simply mail their items directly to one of our many pickup addresses in Hungary, which we provide after you accept our proposal.

    Of course, if you prefer to meet in person to discuss the repairs or modifications, you are welcome to visit our office by appointment.

    Once the work is completed, we will return the repaired textile to you via registered mail or, if preferred, you can collect and pay for it in person at our office.

  • In most cases, we can provide you with an exact price in advance. In rare cases, we may give a price range, but we always ensure that you feel comfortable with the agreement.

    In addition to labor costs, we charge for the materials and threads used, as well as the cost of registered shipping.

    We always emphasize that high-quality crochet and embroidery threads are essential for professional repairs, but unfortunately, they are not cheap. We often use antique materials to ensure the restoration blends seamlessly with the original piece, which can be time-consuming and requires effort to source.

    We typically request payment in advance. An official, VAT-included invoice will be sent to you via email, detailing the bank account for the transfer.

    Cash or post-payment is only possible if you personally collect the finished textiles at our office.

    Have you ever accepted a job but then been unable to complete it?

    Very rarely. This usually happens when, upon receiving the textile, we see that the original thread is too thin and aged—so fragile that even looking at it the wrong way might cause another tear or a stitch to snap.

    In such cases, we refund your pre-paid repair fee and return the textile to you at our expense.

  • Many things! However, the best solution in your case depends on:

    • The type of damage.

    • Your expectations.

    • The budget you are willing to allocate for the repair.

    Here are some possible solutions:

    • Restoration: The damage is repaired or replaced so seamlessly that it becomes unnoticeable. However, this is not always feasible or may be very costly.

    • Visible but subtle repair: The damage is fixed in a way that, while detectable upon close inspection, does not detract from the overall beauty of the textile. This is the most common type of repair.

    • Decorative cover-up: Instead of simply fixing the damage, we embroider or crochet a pattern over the affected area, blending it into the original design. Only a trained eye would notice the small modification. This is a popular option.

    • Resizing: The damaged sections are cut away, and the remaining fabric is neatly finished. The textile will be smaller, but its beauty and character remain intact.

    • Upcycling: We repurpose the undamaged parts into something new, such as a scarf, pillow decoration, or vitrázs curtain. Sometimes, additional embroidery or crochet work is needed to reshape the textile to fit its new function. This approach falls under recycling and upcycling.

You will find all of this with us!

We receive orders from all over the world. Feel free to contact us with confidence!