It depends on your appliqué and how you finished the edge. If it is batiks and the edges are raw edge appliqué with buttonhole stitching then there will be slight fraying after repeated washing. If it regular cotton fabric with satin stitch over the edge, then it stays nice for a long time. If it is raw edge appliqué with cotton fabric you will get a little roughness to the edge with repeated washing. If the fraying compliments the appliqué it sometimes adds to the design.