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 don't usually prewash, but when I do I zig zag the raw edges.

Me Too :)

cut off the corners it helps

I wash on the gentle or hand wash cycle and don't have the knotting problem that I use to have.

I pink mine and they don't come out too bad.

I have found either using my pinking scissors and/or my wavy cut rotary blades, really works well....and if I see that on my fabric I know it has been washed.....

I find the pinking works fairly well for me.

I baste the ends of my fabric, then place in a mesh bag and end up with minimal threads

I serge around the raw edges = no raveling.

I serge or pink the edges of all my fabric, and like Deborahlees, if fabric in my stash is serged, I know it's been washed.

I just did a few loads of new fabric laundry last night. When I first started sewing I bought a lot of FQ and constantly complained about fray. My more recent fabric purchases have been yardage and I can say that I have FAR less fraying. Last night not a single piece of fabric was "tied" to any other piece of fabric and I had very few strings on the ones that did have some fray.

Once, a few years ago I made a list of which manufacturers frayed more than others. I'll try to find it.

That is what I was going to say.

Pinking shears have eliminated that problem for me. I just go around all the edges & its very simple

I use Fray Check. It will stop fraying forever.

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

I prewash all my quilting fabric and serge the edges - no raveling ever.

This takes time but works. Fold the fabric into a short hem and zigzag loooooooooong stitches across the cut side. Afer washing and drying, remove the stitches. The longer the easier to remove.

****this really does work...the edge looks like a rag quilt...no strings tying everything together. pinking shears has the same effect****

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.

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.

I don't usually pre wash mine.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

What great suggestions. Thanks everyone! This board is great!

I always pre-wash and I cut the corners. Works very well, even with the not so good quality fabrics.

I serge mine. It take a little time, but sure makes the fabric more manageable. You can use a zig zag on a regular sewing machine too.

Ditto - or use the serger around the edges on rolled hem.

Pinking shears are great, not washing is the best.

I usually wash so much fabric that the use of pinking shears would leave my hands a bloody, blistered mess. I think knots are just part of the process. Maybe save them to use in an art quilt? Toss them in the shrubs for the birds to nest with?

i do not usually prewash fabric, but if i have reds, or something that does need washing, i do it by hand, soaking, rinsing til it runs clear, then drying to a dampness, then ironing dry...no threads or knots...

I have a separate rotary cutter with a pinking blade. It helps.

Ditto...

When I do prewash which isn't often. I zig zag the ends together (not selvage but cut ends) and then after it is laundered I us my rotary cutter and ruller and slice that little bit off. Works well and minimal loss of fabric.

Yes this works, set up one rotary cutter with a pinking blade for just trimming cut edges of fabric. This does help and is far less time consuming than sewing, serging etc.