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From: needle_elf
Date: 07-04-2007, 10:28 AM (1 of 16)
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Does anyone have tips on keeping material from raveling on the edges when washing it? I have never figured this out and I'm guessing that there is a trick to laundering fabrics before use that doesn't include half an hour of cutting the pieces apart after they come out of the dryer. Jennifer |
User: needle_elf
Member since: 12-12-2000 Total posts: 26 |
From: lendube
Date: 07-04-2007, 10:33 AM (2 of 16)
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Segering or zig zagging the raw edges seems to work just fine and will prevent most of that. Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: needle_elf
Date: 07-04-2007, 10:37 AM (3 of 16)
| But would you recommend that with my fat quarters for quilting? I have a ton of them for the current project that I want to do and worry that that would take a long time. Is sewing or serging the edges the only way? |
User: needle_elf
Member since: 12-12-2000 Total posts: 26 |
From: Reta J
Date: 07-04-2007, 10:43 AM (4 of 16)
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I use a pillow case. Put material in, don't pack it, loosely fill it, and fold down top and pin with large safety pins. Or you can tie a knot in top of pillow case. If you have lots of material use 2 or 3 pillow cases. I also used them for stuffed animals and washable dolls when my kids were little. Hope this helps. Sewing Forever
Housework Whenever Reta J |
User: Reta J
Member since: 01-30-2002 Total posts: 136 
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From: needle_elf
Date: 07-04-2007, 10:52 AM (5 of 16)
 Thanks for the tips! I think I will give the pillow case method a try today. I just want to make the process easier and less work for myself (making it more enjoyable for me). I'll let you know how it pans out. Jennifer |
User: needle_elf
Member since: 12-12-2000 Total posts: 26 |
From: ddreev
Date: 07-04-2007, 12:18 PM (6 of 16)
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I was told to clip the corners, across the selvedge into the fabric, on the diagonal. It doesn't eliminate all of the raveling but it does decrease the amount. I haven't tried the pillowcase but it sounds like a good idea too. Dorothy D.
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User: ddreev
Member since: 05-29-2007 Total posts: 69 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 07-04-2007, 02:00 PM (7 of 16)
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You might try just snipping the raw edges with pinking sheers. It's quick, minimal waste, and stops the fraying for most wovens--certainly for quilting cottons.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 07-04-2007, 10:11 PM (8 of 16)
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The pillowcase method is the most effective when washing small pieces of fabric (fat quarters and smaller) to decrease the amount of ravelling as far as I am concerned. The other methods work well for larger pieces (1 yard or more) but it is time intensive to prepare a larger amount of fat quarters or fat eighths for washing by handling each individual piece top and bottom and sometimes sides in my individual opinion. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 07-05-2007, 11:24 AM (9 of 16)
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Good point, Patsy. I'll give that a try...very soon, too. (Announcing my quilting debut: I started my first quilt this week!)
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: mommydionne
Date: 07-05-2007, 08:54 PM (10 of 16)
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lingerie bags (I get mine at the dollar store) work well for little pieces too.
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 07-05-2007, 09:33 PM (11 of 16)
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Yeah!!!!! Andrea has finally decided to join Quilters' Anonymous!!!! Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 07-05-2007, 11:18 PM (12 of 16)
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Good point, Patsy. I'll give that a try...very soon, too. (Announcing my quilting debut: I started my first quilt this week!) Ahh... I weep for you. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: material_pakrat
Date: 07-05-2007, 11:31 PM (13 of 16)
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Would a basting stitch work?? I dont use many fat quarters, as I buy by the metre. I just serge the edges before washing. Then I aslo know in my stash what has been pre-washed, as it always has one end serged.
Cheers, Soph.
I'm happiest when I am sewing! |
User: material_pakrat
Member since: 12-13-2006 Total posts: 220 |
From: toadusew
Date: 07-08-2007, 07:42 AM (14 of 16)
I guess I need to make a confession---I don't do anything to the edges of my fabrics before I wash them!  I kind of like the fraying because it helps me pull the threads to straighten the fabric. However, I'm using yardage instead of small pieces and my rule of thumb is to buy about 1/2 yard more than I'll actually need anyway, so for me, it doesn't make too much difference. If I were to do anything, I would serge around the edges of the fabric before washing.Oh, dear....Andrea, you're only starting your first quilt, huh? I'm working on hand quilting two quilts and I have to more quilts to make--both of those will be machine quilted. One of the tops is almost complete. And before starting all those, I finished a huge quilt for my bonus granddaughter. I guess that means I've become a quilter, too, huh? 
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: MartySews2
Date: 07-08-2007, 02:11 PM (15 of 16)
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About 2-1/2 years ago, I started a quilt. I managed to get 3 blocks sewn together before I quit working on it. I have all of the supplies to make it but just cannot get enthusied about making a lap quilt even for St Jude. Oh well, some of us are dressmakers and others are quilters and crafters. I cannot even get excited about making purses. However, I'm "chomping at the bit" to make some new slacks with a matching jacket. Go figure!!! Happy Stitching in whichever craft you choose. Marty
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User: MartySews2
Member since: 05-03-2007 Total posts: 293 
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From: toadusew
Date: 07-09-2007, 07:41 AM (16 of 16)
Marty, I actually prefer garment sewing myself, but my kids keep requesting quilts! I, too, find myself getting kind of bored sewing the little pieces together to make a quilt block, but they do look pretty once you've put them together in a design. I prefer the hand quilting part, rather than the piecing. Right now, I've got one more quilt top to make and then I'm itching to make some garments--probably sundresses for my granddaughter.
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
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