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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?!!

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"

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

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.

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