Preventing unraveling fabric in the wash

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06-27-2011, 08:21 AM

#21

GrannieAnnie

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: S. W. Indiana

Posts: 7,484

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvspaper

I also wash on the hand wash cycle and it really has cut down on the fray.

My washer has a hand wash cycle, too. Used it for the first time recently when washing fabric. After all the fabric isn't really dirty, so the easy agitation is great.

06-27-2011, 08:39 AM

#22

blueangel

Power Poster

Join Date: Dec 2010

Location: Kansas

Posts: 20,402

I don't usually pre wash mine.

06-28-2011, 03:53 AM

#23

mjsylvstr

Super Member

Join Date: Jan 2007

Location: Spring Lake, NJ

Posts: 2,458

I baste the two cut edges with a long basting stitch...works wonders.

06-28-2011, 04:13 AM

#24

nyelphaba

Senior Member

Join Date: Jun 2011

Location: Long Island, New York

Posts: 996

I wash fabric and live with the fraying. Take fabric out of the dryer, clean out the lint filter and while I watch TV I snip off all the threads and neaten everything up.

06-28-2011, 04:13 AM

#25

barbt

Senior Member

Join Date: Oct 2010

Location: North Central Ohio

Posts: 606

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie's free time

I end up with a ball of string with fabric flags hanging off of it when I try to wash a bunch of fabric. I tried according folding and then pinning the ends, still got a wad-o-tangles, this time with pins sticking out of it; putting it in a mesh bag, got a wad-o-tangles in the bag; and the latest try is cutting the edge with pinking shears. Waiting for the load to finish now to see if that worked.

Any suggestions to avoid the next Gordian knot?
Julie

I serge my fabric before washing. That way I know its washed and won't unravel.

06-28-2011, 04:32 AM

#26

quiltmom04

Super Member

Join Date: Jan 2009

Location: PA

Posts: 2,879

If you don't have a serger the finishe the edges, zigzag or use an overcast-type stitch on you machine to finish the raw edges.

06-28-2011, 04:42 AM

#27

ncredbird

Senior Member

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Greeneville, TN

Posts: 796

I serge the ends of the fabric before washing. I figure I am going to have to square it up eventually anyway so wash first and then square it up. Ann in TN

06-28-2011, 04:46 AM

#28

vivoaks

Super Member

Join Date: Oct 2009

Location: Beaver PA USA

Posts: 1,656

Serge the raw edges, if you have a serger.....makes a world of difference!!

06-28-2011, 04:55 AM

#29

NanaCsews2

Super Member

Join Date: Jan 2011

Posts: 1,812

Long narrow zigzag basting stitch works wonders as does cutting the corners with a pinking rotary blade. If I forget or miss a piece of fabric (drats!) I won't put the fabric in the dryer until I cut off the frayed knotted mess; less drying time and no pulling apart the fabric trying to get the 'tightened' balls of threads un-mangled. Less wrinkling of the fabric too.