Fraying Cotton

[dwr37]

When I started the bed quilt I am working on I decided to purchase fabric from one of the local quilt shops because it is red, white, and blue and I wanted to make sure that it was quality fabric that wouldn't bleed.

Well, it doesn't bleed at all. However, it is fraying much more than the typical fabric I've purchased at the chain fabric stores... It isn't fraying so bad that I can't use it, but it is not what I was expecting. Any idea why?

[Leetec]

I'm not sure why but if you are worried about your seams holding you can put a fusible interfacing on the back before cutting and it won't fray after you sew. It won't streatch with the interfacing on so be very careful of your cutting.

[biancatom]

I had this happen before whith some fabric that was not woven tightly. I had misgivings when I bought it, because it was so thin and flimsy. But the price was very low, and I thougth I was getting a bargain. Well, some bargain. I prewashed it, and had quite a mess with the loose threads.

[quilterbee]

I just press and spray with sizing before cutting, that's all you need to do. What fabric line did you buy? Amie

[gardenquilter]

i think leetec is on to something with the interfacing

[sewbug]

It could be homespun fabric. Homespun frays a lot. It's good for the raggedy quilts but not so great for trying to piece blocks. The quilt shops usually have homespun labeled or in a separate section and should always tell you it's homespun you are buying.

[JudyWoo]

I use spray starch when a fabric is a loosely woven and tends to fray. BUT ... I don't use spray starch in a can. For one reason, it's too expensive.

I buy a big blue plastic jug of Sta-Flo Liquid Starch and mix my own. That way I have several spritzers handy with light starch, medium starch, and heavy startch. It makes a great stabilizer for loose weaves and one jug will probably last you a couple years or more.

The only time I use interfacing is when the quilt isn't going to be tightly quilted ... like with stippling. I'm always afraid a quilt with loosely woven fabrics will get snagged or pulled if it's not quilted fairly tight.

Judy

[MDQuilta]

I ordered some fabric online and was very disappointed with it. Talk about thin!!!! I will no longer buy that brand and it is a major one. I have never been disappointed with Northcott, Moda and Hoffman. They are always meaty. There are several I have never tried also.

I like buying from the LQS so I can feel it first. That is not always possible.

[dwr37]

Thanks for the replies. What confuses me most about the fabric is that it is not flimsy and has a high thread count. It is actually the heaviest fabric (cotton) I have ever used. There was nothing that said homespun. That is why I am so surprised with what is happening.... But like I said, it isn't to the point it is falling apart, just fraying on the edges. The cheap fabric I buy at the chain store doesn't do this, but it tends to feel rougher than the fabric from the quilt shop.

I'll try some sizing or starch since I will wash it when I finish the top.

Thanks again.

[donnacrazylady]

I keep a little bottle of FrayCheck near my sewing machine to brush on edges that begin to fray too much. It helps to 'glue' the threads in place. It is sold with other notions like pins and measuring tapes.