I've been thinking about trying this too. Has anyone here used those rotary zig zag blades for pre-wash cuts?

i am with you..unless it is a red or black..no pre washing for me either. WHEN i did, it went in a pillow case, and i pinned it shut.on gentle cycle. still frayed though.

I've started using my serger on the cut ends before I prewash. Saves a lot of mess from frayed edges. Zigzag on a regular machine work probably work just as well.

I machine stitch the ends of my fabric before I wash.
I also set my washer on the handwash cycle.
I have very little fraying. The cheaper the fabric the more fraying you wil have because it will be a looser weave fabric.
The ends of the fabric have to be trimmed/straightened when you start cutting anyway so a little fraying isn't a problem.

Pinking shears, zig zag the edges or serge all cut edges works
for me. My grandmother turned a very tiny hem and straight stitched it down before she washed.
Brenda

I always cut about a 1/4" off of each side with my wave rotary cutter and it keeps fraying to a minimum.

Eons ago when I learned to sew, 4-H recommended folding the fabric as it comes off the bolt and use the longest machine stitch across both ends. It keeps the ends from fraying and easily removed. Of course, that was in the day when we pulled a thread to straighten the fabric, too!

sew the cut ends together with a basting stitch--this really works well for long pieces of fabric because the fabric doesn't get twisted

I seldom pre wash..but when I do..I hand wash fabric!!

oh...you mean pulling a thread to straighten the fabric has gone the way of the dinosaur???? :shock: :shock:

I guess I didn't know we didn't need to do that anymore. :oops:

If I have a fabric that I just can't eyeball the straight of the grain, I still pull a thread :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

I do all sorts of different things with my fabric...some I serge, some I wash and then clip frays....some I just use without washing...no rhythm or reason to my madness... :wink: :wink: :lol: :lol: