If you snip a small triangle from each corner of new fabric before washing it, the edges will be less likely to ravel--I can't explain it, but it helps. Also, I do not let the machine agitate more than a minute, and when putting the pieces in the dryer, separate them, don't toss in a bundle. And, always add a color-catcher, unless all the fabrics are the same color.

^ that is what I do and works like a charm. I used to serge the edges, but this snipping of each corner is faster and works almost as well. ~ Pat

this is how I do it also!

This is what I do. It doesn't prevent the mess but it isn't as bad. I buy my material from the LQS and was surprised at how bad it gets. I tried the clipping the corners suggestion - doesn't work - the pinking shears seem to do the best job for me. Don't have a serger and guess I don't want to spend the time sewing the edges.

I tried washing fabric-- could see no reason why after I did it. never had any shrink that I know of .

Zig zag the cut ends and I have no problems with tangled threads. I use up old thread on bobbins that way then I have clear bobbins for my next project.

Just shake the stuff out, pull the pieces apart gently, place in dryer and Carry On. Remove from dryer, shake hard and fold nicely...don't make a big production out of this unless you never want to get to the fun stuff.
In the alternative, take a chance and don't pre-=wash unless it's red...then take no chances.

I serge all the ends of new fabric to prevent raveling. Takes a few minutes, but there is no fabric waste. I've even removed the serged threads to use the fabric to the very end.
SandyQuilter

This is what I do.

I learned from the QB that making a small cut diagonal across the corners of the fabric helps. It doesn't completely eliminate the problem, but helps tremendously.

I sew a seam across the cut side of material before washing. This help with the fraying.

thats one reasson not to wash fabric

The WORST experience I've had, with a piece of fabric, was with one from a LQS. It was cut from the bolt, straight. However, it was wound onto the bolt, crooked. When I pulled it from the washer, it was still a parallelogram but NO WHERE near a rectangle! Ended up losing about 2" from each end. IF I'd used it in a quilt, without first washing, it'd probably have ruined the entire quilt. :thumbdown:

I started using the gentle or the hand wash cycle. Unless it bleeds you don't need to beat the fabric like you do with your dirty clothes. Have almost eliminated the snarls and less time getting from new to table...

I learned to cut the corner (down about 1/2") off each end of the fabric before you wash. I don't have ravelings to speak of; they stop when the thread gets to the end of the first corner. Try that and see if it works for you.

I put them in laundry bags for eashing. Especially fat qtrs. No tangles.

I've come upon this several times..............I finally figured out, that I wash it to long. In the last year, I discovered if I fill the machine with hot water on regular/permanent cycle (because my gentle cylcle doesn't allow "hot" water), then I change it to the gentle cycle for the washing, I have "LESS" tangle mess, and usually have NO tangled mess. The other thing in this endeavor is that I when I am prewashing Batik's this way, I usually run twice, due to color bleeding.

Last night I pre-washed 5 yds of White diaper flannel that I used for backing fabric also, 90" wide x 5 yds. by doing the above steps, I had NO tangled mess in washer, then I shook out for dryer and no tangled mess there either. So these steps do work.

This was a learning process for me.

I am told that if you snip the corners of each fabric piece it will not tangle, don't know if it works as I always forget to do it!

I always use my rotary pinking cutter. It really does help.

I rarely wash my fabric first unless I am concerned about the color bleeding.

I've posted this long ago: I fold my fabrics then use Brass safety pins in the salvages Then wash them they won't tangle up and also are not as wrinkled.

I think it's prolonged agitation and overcrowding in the washer and/or dryer that makes a new fabric look 'beat up' when it's washed.

I now overcast the raw edges of fabrics that are to be washed by machine. I used to occasionally have threads come off or tangle up to an inch on each end - depending on the fabric and how it was cut. On expensive fabric, I figure it's worth the few minutes to preserve as much of it as I can.

Of course, this only applies to those of us that choose to wash our fabrics before cutting them.

Let's say I have 2 yards of material. I fold it in half and again in half, then I pin the corners with safety pins. Wash and dry. You might have some tangle thread on the one end, but the fabric will not be tangled.

If you have a serger, you might try serging the cut edges before washing.

I don't prewash at all.

I read/saw this tip somewhere.
Unfold your fabric so that the selvedges are on your right and left.
Fan fold the fabric from the raw end to the other raw end. Try to keep the folds somewhat even.
Safety pin along the folded sides through all thicknesses.
Wash as desired. You will still get strings BUT you won't have such a tangled mess to undo.

I've had good luck with cutting the corners of all the fabric, it seems to help stop raveling threads. For smaller pieces and strips, I would use a mesh bag. Hope this helps.

The fabric is folded in half length wise when you buy it. fold it again. fold the top end and bottom end together and use a straight basting stitch across them. your fabric will not twist and it will reduse the fraying. works for me

I cut a very small rectangle from each corner of the fabric. That stops the threads from raveling and wrapping around each other. Works with yards or fat qtrs.

Wow! The things you learn on here.

Someone else here on the board suggested cutting a small triangle (very small) off each of the 4 corners. I tried it, and it worked for me.

I put a bunch of 1/4 yds. into a mesh bag & they knotted up so tightly nothing would separate them. I had to throw it all away. Made me sick but I rarely put anything in the wash first now.

Using a pinking sheers or pinking blade in rotary cutter and cutting off the corners helps a lot.

When I did prewash fabrics, that is what I did and it really helped. I haven't prewashed fabrics now in over 20 years and have had no problems with bleeding.

I saw that too. That is the only quilting thread that I use for hand quilting. I have never had a problem with it. Plus I got a whole slew of C&C dual-duty when it went on sale at Joann's for 1.00 a spool (I think it is regularly 2.89 a spool).

i serge the cut edge, then open up the fabric and then accordian fold about 6 to 8 inch folds and then pin with safety pins...you will have a pieace of folded fabric 6in by 42in and it wont get all tangled

Even if it bleeds, there's no reason to "beat the fabric". Gentle cycle works just fine for bleeders, too. And it goes without saying, fabrics tangle less when they are not combined with the regular laundry. It never occurred to me that some people toss their brand new fabric in with their dirty clothes.

I USED to wash all my fabric, I don't anymore. The fabric now-a-days doesn't have much shrinkage factor. I will only wash if I think it might run (such as reds). I try not to wash cotton fabric too much as it fades and won't be as colorful as when new. I especially don't like the wrinkled mess when its washed and all the ironing to get the wrinkles out. I really like the look of the quilt after its done and washed, it looks old and crinkled and comfy.

I clip across each corner just about half an inch when washing and drying yardage. Smaller pieces go into a mesh bag.

Yes, I do the pinking first and it does help some. Won't eliminate all the threads but they sure are a lot better!