What can I do to stop my fabric from fraying?

[Jamielea]

Someone told me a while ago that if I machine stitch around the edge of my fabric it will stop it from fraying but unfortunately I don't have a sewing machine I've also noticed that some people put tape around the edges? Anyway, I haven't really had this problem until now and want to stop it before it's too late. Can anyone help?!!

[dwitt]

Some people use masking tape... you can also get Fray Check. You put it along the edges of your fabric to keep it from "fraying"

[karen4bells]

What I've done with my larger projects that use even weave is to hand hem the edges--doesn't have to be tightly done but just enough to keep the edges from fraying

[*barb*]

I machine edge and dont like tape, I think it gets sticky after a while. Another idea I had if you dont like tape is iron on heming or interfacing around the edge. Hand stitching is probably the cheapest way to go if you cant afford that. I have used fray stop in the past but only use it on finished little pieces so not sure how it stands up to a full piece being worked and manipulated.

[Jamielea]

That's great, thanks very much everyone! Oh and I'd never even heard of Spray Check until now! You learn something new everyday Thanks again x