Fabric fraying

[quiltingangel]

Hi to all my quilting friends. I cannot begin to tell you how I love this site. Thank you all so very much for all the help I have been receiving. Now I have another question. When washing new fabric, how do you keep the fabric from fraying. I often do not wash the fabric, but there are times I have to and it comes how so frayed and wrinkled. Thanks to all of you, again!

[CindyB]

You could use pinking shears on the cut ends or you could baste the ends with your machine.

Personally, I let it all hang out there, cut it off after washing/drying (sometimes both to get the pieces apart), and save those threads. One of these days I plan on making paper, and want to put the threads in the paper - I think that would look great!

[calicopuzzle]

Bite the proverbial bullet and keep your scissor next to the washer and cut them off....no easy way for some of these tasks. Keep your mind on how good it is that the fabrics won't bleed because you washed them first. It is worth it.

[calicopuzzle]

Well, I guess you could zig-zag the edges before washing, but that would just take time away from quilting!! And the idea from CindyB to use your pinking shears is better than zig-zagging them...but if your pinking shears are like mine..dull...the result is the same...time you could be sewing.

[Tiggersmom]

serger/overcast the edges before washing or you might try the pinking rotary cutter blade thing, I haven't used one but that might work too.

[astitchintime]

I just bought a rotary cutter that pinks the edges and I love it!!! I don't plan to cut much of anything without them!!
Hope it helps,
Happy stitching!!
Debi

[kenderosa]

I cut a small V through the salvage on each end. It doesn't eliminate all the fraying, but sure slows it down! Just a few threads to cut off. Hope this helps

[CindyB]

Stitch - I'm jealous!!

I bought a set of 5 scissors at Hancock's for less than $15, and it included a pair of pinking shears. they worked well on one layer of cotton!

[Cathy32078]

I just washed 4 pieces of fabric 2 yds. each. I used pinking shears on the edges (not selvage edges) & none of it frayed. I was so pleased. Before I have always just let it twist, knot, and fray and cut the strings off later. No more! Pink them. LOL

[QIAD-Linda]

I agree with Cathy. Pinking the edges completely eliminates fraying.

Linda