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?

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.

I agree with Vivian. I think the only concern would be dark threads showing through under very light blocks or borders. Even those can be pushed to the proper dark side during quilting.

Never have fraying problems. I starch all my fabrics before cutting.

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'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.

i don't seem to get much fraying and use a variety of fabric types. i trim the long thread ends, though

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.

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.