DOTTYMO

I have just read the thread about washing and starching. Does anyone have any tip on how to stop the fabric from fraying and becoming a massive tangle in the washer or drier.
I starch just before cutting

quiltingcandy

Some people cut a small corner off the fabric and others "pink" the edges. I just bought a rotary cutter that will use a "pinking" blade to give it a try. I have a pair of pinking shears and those are just too hard on my hands.

Gay

Do you have an overlocker/serger? Or would zigzagging the edges work for you? assuming you mean washing before cutting into pieces.

ManiacQuilter2

Nothing ever worked for me so I have never pre-washed. Some quilters serge the edges, pinked corner never worked for me..

NJ Quilter

I just wash/dry; deal with the tangles. Really doesn't bother me all that much. Just get out my snips and start clipping. Takes less time to snip off the mess than dealing with prepping the fabric for no mess!

quiltorelse

I put the fabric in net bags when washing. I have very little fraying and no knotting up as long as I fill the bag with enough fabric that it can't roll around in it. I can put several pieces of fabric in one bag and can put several bags in the wash at the same time. I got my bags at Walmart near the laundry baskets. The bags come in a couple of sizes. You just have to watch and put like colored fabrics together. Even using Color Catchers, I had red dye spread to another fabric in the same bag that had a light design on it. Only other problem... I haven't found a big enough bag to put more than three yards in.

dunster

This is my approach too.

sewnsewsue

I used to accordion fold my fabric, then use large safety pins. I recently started basting across the fabric edge, just as it comes off the bolt. No tangles,easy to dry and snip off too.

Misty's Mom

Mine too! Bi used to serge the edges, but decided to take my chances.

coopah

I don't really wash anymore, just put it in on the rinse and spin cycle. Gets out the worst of the chemicals and dry on hot for shrinkage. So there's not as much fraying.