Shredding fabric....
 

:thumbdown: I ordered some quilting fabric online. I wont mention any names as I can not remember EXACTLY (but I have a guess) It's been sitting on my shelf folded up for about a year, I decided I was going to use it this past week. It has been shredding on the edges. Now this FEELS great, I thought it was GOOD fabric. Its shredding almost like a rayon fabric. I have loose threads all over while sewing. I'm wondering if I should just chuck this top I'm making or will it be ok once quilted? Any ideas?

Did you wash it first? Sometimes that will tighten up the weave. If it's really fraying, you might want to consider wider seams. If it's already cut, then I would use a smaller stitch length than usual and make sure that you quilt over all the seams, like maybe with a wavy line...

I've noticed the last year or so more and more quilting fabrics ravel like crazy. These are from companies with good reputations and the fabrics feel just fine. I do believe they are starting to use a lesser thread count or looser weave to save money.

Worse case scenario, use it to practice FMQ or put it in a charity quilt for homeless where it doesn't need to be perfect.

I would con't. use a pretty sm stitch. As hopetoquilt mentioned you can free fmq and donate if you do not like it!!

The trouble I find with very ravely thread is the 1/4" seam allowance isn't big enough and they come apart over time. I'd use 1/2". If it's already cut, would fray check stop the raveling?

Is there any other problem with the fabric? Color fade or bleeding?

If it's #1 quality fabric, let the manufacturer know. They might not even realize the problem. If the manufacturer has a good reputation, they probably want to keep it and would probably want to correct the problem.

June Tailor [brand] Fray Block.

FrayCheck is another popular product.

i happen to prefer the JT brand because it's easier to apply.
i haven't done a cost comparison.

get a couple of tubes. apply to every seam.
adds a bit to the cost of the quilt but i am confident you wouldn't regret it.

I would startch the fabric it helps to hold on the threads. Try a light spray first if this doesn't work try a little more. Some of the quilters I know always startch before sewing anything because a well known quilter put this into classes. The startch is always by the irons in any class. .

This may be too late for this project, but I will tell you about a problem I once faced with inconsistent and ravel-y seams in a block swap. Instead of ripping and remaking blocks that someone else had assembled, I pressed well and topstitched each seam before putting the blocks together in a top.
the topstitching held the seam flat and prevented anymore raveling. I've washed and dried this quilt often since 1995 and it is still going strong.

Some fabrics ravel when they are cut into small pieces. Using Frey Check is a lot of work and makes the edges stiff. I would use a smaller stitch and a larger seam like others have suggested. My Omigosh quilt sheds like crazy. I have to used my lint roller every time I work on it. The seams aren't getting any smaller and the threads are very short, probably less that 1/2 inch. The fabric is all cotton quilt shop fabric. Name brands so that isn't a factor.
Sue

It should be fine once quilted.

I would contact the manufacturer....if this was quilt shop quality fabric they need to know.