stopping fabric fraying

[vickih]

my fabric always frays on the edges does any one know how to reduce it or stop it please?????

[Lessa54]

Hi vicki and welcome to the forum.

Re your question, there are several ways to stop this. The simplest is probably masking tape or a product called Fray Check (a special type of fabric glue). Or you can machine stitch the edges or whip stitch them.

Personally, unless it's a small piece, I don't ever bother with the edges as I always have ample finishing allowance and even over the life of a long piece, the fraying tends to be quite minimal.

[Midge]

For large projects, I zig-zag the edges on my sewing machine. For small things, I just cope.

[MaggieM1750]

I've got a question about fray check. I have in mind to do a bookmark. So, with fray check, do you get a nice edge or can you see/ feel the glue on the edges?

[Imme]

I know this isn't a popular answer to this question here...I don't use masking tape but will use painters tape on the edges. It makes it a nice clean edge for when your working on the design and not as sticky/gluey as masking tape when it is time to take it off. You will need to give extra attention to cleanning the edges when you wash your project at the end, but 5-10 minutes of gentle rubbing the edges with your fingers in the soap water will get the glue off

[vickih]

thankyou for all the ideas i will prob use the sewing machine idea.
also thankyou for the welcome i sure i will get alot of help off here and maybe help others if i can.

[Rose]

I am sorry that I am late to offer help but I always zigzag my edges. Big and small. I am very glad that we where able to help. Welcome to our board.

[Angel]

I've got a question about fray check. I have in mind to do a bookmark. So, with fray check, do you get a nice edge or can you see/ feel the glue on the edges?

Fray check, while wonderful, isn't the best for a bookmark. I can always feel it on the edges. It makes them stiffer. And on some fabrics it does appear darker too. So I use it mainly on bigger designs where I will be hiding the edges or cutting them off.

When I make bookmarks. I tend to buy a piece of felt and cut that to the same size as the bookmark then do a running stitch along the edges, sweing the two together. It works beautifully and no one sees my messy backs. I started using this method because my mum was making and selling bookmarks for charity and her backs are...attrocious! So I figured covering them up was a good bet, now I love the method.

[Sarah Gixxer]

For me, I find PVA glue does a great job, especially if you're bone idle and can't wait to start the project - like me!! I just squirt a bit of glue on my index finger and thumb and stroke it along the edge of the fabric, finger above and thumb below (scruffy as well as idle ). I apply the glue to around a 2-3mm width around the edge, then hang it up to dry (which only takes a couple of hours). It goes firm and sticks the fibres together so they don't fray. When I've finished stitching, I simply trim off the glued bits.

[Angel]

Love it

[Mabel Figworthy]

I've actually used glue like that to turn a small stitched piece into a coaster -- painted the whole thing with white glue, waited for it to go dry and stiff, and it was fine, even the gold thread still looked perfect . It did go a bit sticky when I spilled a large splash of hot tea on it though...

[Lilywhite]

I have to admit I would never have thought of glue on the edges... and it seems so obvious now.

I've used felt on the back of some bookmarks recently and was really happy with the results. Usually I just leave a lot of spare and just trim when finished. I may rethink this now though.

Thanks for the tip

[Red]

I'm a taper

I use masking tape or the soft medical tape

[kazzi29]

masking tape for me!

[MaggieM1750]

I've got a question about fray check. I have in mind to do a bookmark. So, with fray check, do you get a nice edge or can you see/ feel the glue on the edges?

Fray check, while wonderful, isn't the best for a bookmark. I can always feel it on the edges. It makes them stiffer. And on some fabrics it does appear darker too. So I use it mainly on bigger designs where I will be hiding the edges or cutting them off.

When I make bookmarks. I tend to buy a piece of felt and cut that to the same size as the bookmark then do a running stitch along the edges, sweing the two together. It works beautifully and no one sees my messy backs. I started using this method because my mum was making and selling bookmarks for charity and her backs are...attrocious! So I figured covering them up was a good bet, now I love the method.

Thank you thank you.. perhaps I will just buy the edged fabric for bookmarks and covering with felt.. keeping my backsides hidden.

[Angel]

You're most welcome. Good luck.

[Rose]

I always keep my backside covered........

[Angel]

Must be a sign of the times...because I'm not all that bothered