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From: sanda
Date: 01-03-2005, 02:34 PM (1 of 9)
| I am a new sewer. I am trying to finish my seams of very frying material. How do I finish the seams? I don't have a serger, only machine with several zigzag stitches. I have tried the zigzag, but material still frys. IS THERE A TRICK TO THIS METHOD? |
User: sanda
Member since: 01-03-2005 Total posts: 16 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 01-03-2005, 03:29 PM (2 of 9)
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If it frays that much, you may need some fray check...it's like superglue, but you can't see it once it's on....it comes in a tube or bottle and can be found almost anywhere they sell fabric. Sometimes if you loosen up on the tension when you zig-zag, it helps the fabric NOT to fray so bad...also you might try some seam tape. (either iron-on or sew in...) Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: MaryW
Date: 01-03-2005, 04:40 PM (3 of 9)
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Perhaps if you cut out your pattern pieces with pinking shears or a rotary cutter with a pinking blade, that might help. Sorry, I just re-read your post. You already have everything cut out. I think a zig zag finish would do the trick. I am having a DUH day today. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: boogalooz
Date: 01-03-2005, 05:30 PM (4 of 9)
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could you sew the straight seam then do the zig zag. does your machine have the stretch stitches? mine has a zigzag that is repeated over itself a couple times. I have used it when making diapers that have no binding. good luck christine Christine
Diaper maker - BoogaloozBaby Avon lady www.interavon.ca/christine.ziegler mommy to Susanne 3.5 and Victoria 17mo wifey to Will for 6.5 years |
User: boogalooz
Member since: 10-08-2004 Total posts: 32 
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From: sanda
Date: 01-03-2005, 06:40 PM (5 of 9)
| I do have a stretch zigzag, so I will give that a try. Thanks. |
User: sanda
Member since: 01-03-2005 Total posts: 16 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 01-03-2005, 06:44 PM (6 of 9)
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If you use Fray Block (tube) it stays soft so it won't be scratchy against the skin. I've also used Seams Great. It is a stretchy binding that you enclose the cut edges. Very easy to use and very light weight. It really does make a nice finish to the seam.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: bunzino
Date: 01-06-2005, 04:34 PM (7 of 9)
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If you have an edge stitching foot and any kind of overedge or overlock stitch on your SM, that works great. I don't have a serger either and use that all the time. nancy |
User: bunzino
Member since: 08-16-2002 Total posts: 119 |
From: sanda
Date: 01-07-2005, 06:45 PM (8 of 9)
|
If you have an edge stitching foot and any kind of overedge or overlock stitch on your SM, that works great. I don't have a serger either and use that all the time. nancy Thank for the infoIf I do not have an edge foot I will purchase one and give it a try. Will any threads still fry? I used to sew years ago, and I am trying to start up again, I find the newer kinds of material fry so much, I am not used to that. |
User: sanda
Member since: 01-03-2005 Total posts: 16 |
From: paroper
Date: 01-08-2005, 12:02 AM (9 of 9)
|
If your fabric doesn't fray you don't necessarily have to finish the edges and for centuries, women didn't always finish the edges. Otherwise, I think probably the first preference is a zig zag edge and you have gotten good suggestions on using that. The preferred method of using pinking shears is to cut your garment, assemble it and then pink the seams after they are assembled. This insures that you have an exact edge to your garment when you sew and prevents you making the garment too small because you didn't have a good edge to follow for a seam allowance. When there weren't many zig zag machines around we were told NEVER to cut the pattern out with pinking shears...that was a popular method of preventing fray (if you could afford them). Seam edges are sometimes bound with bias tape if there is a really bad problem with fray. In some cases, you can also sew the seam, press it open and then turn the seam edge under 1/4 inch and stitch it down (just 1/4 inch to the seam allowance..not the garment). This use to be the preferred method for all facings before zig zag and it is still a pretty reliable method to stabilize the edges if the garment is really bad about fray but depending on the fabric, it can make a line show up next to the seam because of the extra bulk or the way it is pressed. You can also use a French seam. In a French seam the seam is sewn with a 1/4 inch seam to the OUTSIDE of the garment, then pulled back through and sewn with a 3/8 inch seam, encasing the seam. This is used on a lot of see through clothing. Flat fell seams also work well...this is like a jeans seam with two rows of stitching showing...also very strong and reliable with no edges showing. If you decide to use a no-fray product, be sure and do not get it on the garment, it will often change colors where the no-fray product is applied and in some cases it will get worse with age...also some of these are stiff and scratchy, so be sure and test the fabric before using. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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