Hi there,
I'm working on a hand pieced quilt, king sized (yes I'm crazy), postage stamp style, 1-1/2" squares (I said I was crazy) 4,300 squares ( :shock: )
I'm just getting ready to start row #10 (61 rows to go), and while I've been keeping an eye out for fraying, and catching it with a tube of fray block whenever I see it...I'm still nervous about fraying. I'll be working on it for some time obviously and I'm a natural slow poke to begin with so I want to know if there is any other preventative measure I should take to prevent fraying. I've noticed the top edge doing it a little since I started even though I used the fray block all along that edge. Any suggestions? I want there to be some healthy seam allowances left by the time I finally start to quilt the thing!
Hugs from the looney bin,
Sun

Hi, I would run a line of stitching along that top row to prevent fraying. I have also used the blue painters tape on my fabric with great success and it is very inexpensive. You could put it on the front then over the top to the back. Just be very careful when taking it off. I use the 1" roll. I use it to tape the back to the table, cut it into small strips to mark my ruler, audition placements and block arrangements and more that I can't think of at this hour. I'm sure others have great ideas too. You have quite a task ahead of you. I'm sure it will be absolutely beautiful! Happy stitching.
Wendy

Hi. Noticed your fraying problem.Since it's a king-size quilt you are working on and it may take some time to finish, I'd run a row of machine stitchs along that top. Then if you're still worried, machine baste a piece of material up there until you're done with the quilt.A piece of old sheet would work fine for that. Better the extra work now than to not have enough seam later. D'Marie

Have you thought about piecing a part of the quilt, then laying it aside while piecing the next? When done with second part, join the first two, then start third, etc. That way, you are not handling the entire quilt top all the time. You could have the completed portion hanging on your design wall for reference, if needed, while you work on the next portion.

Just a thought...

Hi, I agree with the machine stitching along the top and also just working on part of the rows at a time and joining sections as you go. I can't wait to see the finished quilt. I don't think you're crazy, but you have more patience than I do. I think they're beautiful quilts, just more work than I want to do.

I agree.

Oh, thank you for your responses. Yeah it hit me last night to just do so many rows and make that a section which I set aside and piece later. I think that will make a huge difference. Would that be like a straight stitch to run across the top? A short stitch length? Or would a narrow zigzag be better? I get the feeling a full zigzag might do something weird to it like bunch it all up or something. Hmmmmm. what do you think?

I'd run a straight stitch. The smaller the stitch, the better the stitches will keep the fabric from ravelling.

Ditto, that would be the way to do a king size!! :D