QuiltnNan

if you are going to buy pinking shears, i highly recommend these http://www.amazon.com/Fiskars-9-1-So.../dp/B001IKEJQM
they have stayed sharp for years and are easy on the hands

AliKat

You could use the rotary pinking blade instead of pinking shears. Much easier to use.

Also, I'd use a larger seam allowance with the homespun, after prewashing and all.

Weezy Rider

Made two sets shower curtains, and appliance covers from homespun. Serged most, and lined the appliance covers.
Still going after 10 years.

meyert

Oh my and here I am with 30% off kohls coupon THANKS

meyert

Thanks.. that is encouraging

cathyvv

Pre-washing is a good idea, as is smaller stitches. If you still feel somewhat paranoid about it coming apart, then sew a narrow zigzag outside the 1/4" inch seam after you have sewn the 1/4" seam. Then, the zig-zag will have to come out before the 1/4 inch seam can be pulled apart from fraying.

That is a lot of work, though.

applique

My sister is a weaver and using hand woven fabric meant I had to make two lines of zigzag then cut between them to control the fraying. When I stitched the pieces together using smaller stitches, I had the zigzag on the outside of each piece to stop the fraying.

ukdame

I have used my Kai pinking shears for several years and using them on flannel this week. I didn't know rotary blades came in pinking ones.Must try them.

tate_elliott

I've made a couple of quilts out of homespun and they've turned out fine. I believe that once the seams are enclosed within the quilt and next to the batting, fraying is minimal. I used it once as a backing because it reminded me of the fabric on the inside of my sleeping bag when I was a Boy Scout. I've also made a few shirts out of homespun. Very comfy.

Tate

k_jupiter

Several points:
1.) I was married to a home weaver for a long time and observed these things..
a.) Home woven fabric comes in many tightness of weaves, some loose like burlap, some absolutely tight like linen.
b.) Wool binds together better than cotton. The little spurs in the thread grab each other and bind the fabric together. Like felting.
c.) If the fabric is a twill, don't worry too much about it. Very complex fabric structure.
2.) Pinking rotary cutters... make sure your first cut is right, lot of pressure. You don't get a second chance.
3.) Use wider seams. Then either serge or zigzag to secure those seams. That quilt will never come apart.

tim in san jose