Frayed seams question
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Grass Lake, MI and Bradenton, FL
Posts: 785
Frayed seams question
How important is it to cut off frayed seam threads before layering and quilting! I seem to get frustrated trying to "clean up" my seams because no matter how careful I am the more I trim threads the more fraying I create. I've tried trimming each seam as I go, but by the time the quilt top is done more fraying occurs. I do use high quality quilt fabrics. I do trim the machine threads at the end of each seam and the longer frayed threads but is it ok to leave 1/4 to 1/2 inch threads? Is there anything I can do to prevent the fraying? I've thought about Fray Check but is it necessary?
#2
I don't clean up my seams like you do. I trim the ends of my stitching line, the thread not the fabric. When it's all pieced together I trim anything that is hanging loose (fabric frays) if they are overly noticeable. These seams will all be trapped between your top and the batting and quilting will hold everything. I would worry with what you do that you would be losing your quarter inch seams. I think I would have to see how much fray you are referring to in order to see if it's necessary.
#6
I am with Selm. I had a baby quilt with a black and white checkerboard sashing. After it was quilted, there were a few dark threads that you could see under the white squares and that annoyed me. But I gifted it anyway and nobody else seemed to notice them. I actually made that same pattern a second time, but was very careful to clip or push any dark frays toward the dark fabric.
I have found that if you insist on cutting exactly on the grain, you get more fraying. I'm just not as particular about that anymore.
I have found that if you insist on cutting exactly on the grain, you get more fraying. I'm just not as particular about that anymore.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Posts: 1,012
I've been making scrap quilts lately and everything frays. I make sure I take off any dark threads that might show through a light fabric, but I don't pick up anything else. They really look like a mess from the back, but after they're quilted, they look just fine. I wouldn't worry about it.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: The Deep South near Cajun Country, USA
Posts: 5,434
I don't trim them off, just try to make sure I can iron to the dark side. If I have one fabric that frays really badly, I will sew the quarter inch seam, then sew another at 1/8 inch. Sometimes, I have been known to sew a 1/8 inch seam (stay stitch) on only the badly fraying piece. That prevents a double seam that might not be as flat as I want it. It's double sewing, but it solves the problem of further fraying.
#10
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,659
A suggestion "for next time"
When I am sewing a darker fabric to a lighter fabric, I have the lighter fabric "cover" the darker fabric by about one or two threads - see illustration.
So then the darker fabric usually will not show - no matter which way I press the seam.
When I am sewing a darker fabric to a lighter fabric, I have the lighter fabric "cover" the darker fabric by about one or two threads - see illustration.
So then the darker fabric usually will not show - no matter which way I press the seam.
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