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Prudent Baby

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Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Keep Raw Fabric Edges From Fraying

Is your fabric stash falling to pieces after a spin in the dryer? Mine was. Look at those poor tangled beauties! Get a quick fix to keep raw fabric edges from fraying after the jump.

A little fabric fairy at my local sewing shop suggested that I stitch the cut edge of a particularly fray-prone fabric before washing. I will never look back! I used my Brother Serger but you can easily do a zig-zag on your sewing machine or even just trim with pinking shears. Look at those pretty edges! This won't be news to sewing veterans, I've bought vintage fabric with these finished edges but never put it together. Another case of rampant mommy brain? Sometimes I'm so dense, I swear.

Clare says... Mommy, you made us a blanket! Super-mom indeed.
All fabric is from our glorious sponsor Fabricworm.com.

Labels: Serging, Sewing, Tips

22 Comments:

Jaimie said...: oh i hate the tangles!; February 2, 2011 at 1:03 PM
marisa said...: Ahh..my husband will thank you! Gone are the days of twisting his boxers and socks out of massive piles of fabric! Good trick!; February 2, 2011 at 1:05 PM
Unknown said...: You've just reminded me - I need to prewash a heap of fabric today. Thanks for the tip!; February 2, 2011 at 1:08 PM
Shirley said...: what a great idea - I'm hooked!; February 2, 2011 at 1:10 PM
kelly said...: Like it. :); February 2, 2011 at 1:19 PM
Unknown said...: I'm doing a huge clean up of fabrics and so doing this! Awesome idea.; February 2, 2011 at 1:29 PM
Cammie said...: Well DUH!!!! Why didn't I think of that?? Thanks for the idea!; February 2, 2011 at 1:35 PM
Liz said...: The second I read the title it crossed my mind to use pinking shears. Duh why hadn't I thought that before. Thanks for waking us all up to common sense :); February 2, 2011 at 2:13 PM
Mrs. Rogers said...: "D'uh, McFly!" that is directed at myself for not having thought of this myself years ago!; February 2, 2011 at 2:48 PM
Unknown said...: Oh, that's nothing. I brought some fabric home from the store and my daugher said, "Wow, mommy, you make me a blanket."
Heck yeah I did, baby. Heck yeah I did.; February 2, 2011 at 3:01 PM
Erin @ Isaboo Designs said...: omg! Genius! I have some fabric that needs washing and I am so glad I saw this first!; February 2, 2011 at 4:04 PM
Jennifer said...: Why is it that every. single. time. I am perplexed by a sewing-related irk, within days you post the very simple answer? I only wish I had wondered about this BEFORE I put 6 half yards of Riley Blake Hooty Hoot in the dryer last week and then had to spend forever straightening up the edges...I love you, Prudent Baby!; February 2, 2011 at 4:40 PM
Anonymous said...: Brilliance.; February 2, 2011 at 5:11 PM
Sherrie said...: I bought a rotary scalloped edge just for this reason!; February 2, 2011 at 6:17 PM
Dakota said...: lol.. i never wash the fabric before. shame on me. i know. buuuut when i get it, i just have to use it right then and there!!; February 2, 2011 at 7:20 PM
The Queen said...: I know I should, but it seems like a lot of work! I will remember that though when I purchase my quilting fabric for daughter #3's quilt. I try and buy much nicer (and more expensive) fabric and I don't want to ruin it.; February 3, 2011 at 4:09 AM
Poists said...: You know what I do with those tangles is leave them as is until I know what I want to do with the fabric. I then trim it up and know that it's my seam side. :)
There are days I wish I had a serger but then it wouldn't be as much fun when my son helps zigzag stitch. :); February 3, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Laura said...: i usually zigzag, but if I can't get in my room (because a baby is napping . . . or a husband . . . )pinking shears help too!; February 3, 2011 at 10:08 AM
Sally P said...: Thank you! I hate prewashing fabric for this reason. I rarely do it. Maybe I will consider it now.; February 3, 2011 at 6:20 PM
Stephanie said...: am I the only one who noticed your new babies tush in the picture? hooray for new baby tushes!; February 3, 2011 at 6:44 PM
Randi~Dukes and Duchesses said...: I would never, ever have thought of that ... thanks for sharing! What a great idea.; February 4, 2011 at 5:10 AM
Courtney said...: I cut with pinking shears - seems faster than stitching for whatever reason - before I wash any non-knit fabric. You still may get some tiny little frays, but it's SO much better. Just remember to ask for an inch or so more fabric than you need so there is room to cut or stitch without messing up your actual cutting/creating space.; February 10, 2011 at 12:49 PM

Prudent Baby

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Keep Raw Fabric Edges From Fraying

22 Comments:

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