Shattered silk turkish wedding dress

[DMigdail@xxxxxxx]

How would you approach the treatment of an embroidered (metal wrapped thread 
with silk core) silk dress with a thin layer of batting and cotton lining?  
The garment has slits occuring along the length of the arms, across the back, 
and under the arms extending to the chest.  The silk is finely woven and 
fairly brittle (any attempt to sew it creates new holes).  The embroidery 
does not go through to the lining, though in some places it does appear to 
extend into the batting.  The object is intended for display on a mannequin.
I have considered patches, an overlay of crepeline, even taking it apart for 
a more complete lining.  Nothing seems close to ideal.  Any suggestions?
Denise Migdail
dmigdail@xxxxxxx
contract conservator, San Francisco