I don't want my fabric fraying in wash

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04-24-2011, 08:09 AM

#11

Maia B

Super Member

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: IL

Posts: 2,671

I always get some fraying and thread boogers, which I HATE. Recently washed a set of Moda Civil War repro fabrics that had a lovely hand before washing. Not a speck on my color catcher, so it was a waste of time, and I spent an hour cutting the thread tangles iff before drying. I still have to iron them. Back to NOT prewashing for me!

04-24-2011, 01:24 PM

#12

quilting cat

Super Member

Join Date: Sep 2010

Location: Lake Stevens, WA

Posts: 1,914

zig-zag ends with the longest stitch you have

04-24-2011, 01:55 PM

#13

pjemark

Junior Member

Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: Illinois

Posts: 166

i totally agree with that. I bought several yards of LQS fabric to make curtains with. I wanted to do everything right so I washed and what a mess. I think it took me longer to trim the loose threads and iron the wadded up stuff then it did to make the curtains! :?

04-24-2011, 03:59 PM

#14

ube quilting

Power Poster

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: PA

Posts: 10,704

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShirlinAZ

Trimming the ends with pinking shears usually works pretty well. I have a serger so I serge mine.

Get pinking shears and trim each cut edge before washing. This will also help identify washed fabric in your stash from un-washed. I always wash fabric before it goes in my stash. This also indicates wether I want to use the fabric or not, if it doesn't wash well enough, I save it for projects that don't need the best.

04-24-2011, 04:04 PM

#15

maryb119

Super Member

Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: Iowa

Posts: 8,107

I zig zag or serge the cut edges. I don't like the mess of the strings in the washer or dryer.

04-24-2011, 04:39 PM

#16

4dogs

Senior Member

Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: Fletcher NC(cool, green mountains)

Posts: 646

If you wash you fabric when it comes to your house...doesnt that remove the insecticides that keep bugs from eathing on it? I have a lot of fabric and I have kinda worried about that...........

04-24-2011, 06:09 PM

#17

quilter1943

Senior Member

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Edgewater, FL

Posts: 924

For smaller pieces - up to a couple of yards, I put in mesh bag to wash. There is very little ravelling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonnieLoree

I have a small inexpensive mesh laundry bag that I use to wash smaller pieces in. Dollar store sells them in packs of 3. DogHouseMom is correct. Better quality fabrics will only have a minimum amount of fray.

04-25-2011, 02:48 AM

#18

janjanq

Senior Member

Join Date: Feb 2011

Location: Grass Lake, MI and Bradenton, FL

Posts: 785

I haven't tried this but yet but I've heard of people using a zig-zag blade on their rotary cutter.

04-25-2011, 02:54 AM

#19

kuntryquilter

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: Crossville, TN

Posts: 1,078

I serge the raw edges of my fabric before washing. Sure solves my problems.

04-25-2011, 03:23 AM

#20

bizybess

Member

Join Date: Sep 2009

Location: Western Kentucky

Posts: 96

There's insecticide on new fabrics?!? If this is true, do you really want to be handling it while you make a quilt? I wash everything I bring in the house. Most of the time I serge but sometimes I'm in too big of a hurry and then I pull off threads before putting in dryer and then there's not too much when it comes out of the dryer. If I don't pull off threads and fluff a little coming out of the washing machine it's a terrible mess coming out of dryer.