Fraying Fabrics - 10 Tips to Keep them Under Control with Karen Brown
Fraying fabric is an issue any quilter has come across. Seeing our frayed fabric in our stashes may deter us from using them to make the quilts that we want to make. Karen Brown of Just Get it Done Quilts gives you 10 strategies to reduce fraying!
Instructor
Karen Brown
Karen Brown is a quilter and crafter who loves to make things and check things off the list. She loves trying new things, finding short cuts and new ways of using old things and sharing that information with other quilters at Just Get it Done Quilts.
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Common Questions
What is covered in Fraying Fabrics - 10 Tips to Keep them Under Control with Karen Brown?
Fraying fabric is an issue any quilter has come across. Seeing our frayed fabric in our stashes may deter us from using them to make the quilts that we want to make. Karen Brown of Just Get it Done Quilts gives you 10 strategies to reduce fraying!
How long is the tutorial video?
The tutorial video is 00:11:01.
Is a transcript available?
Yes. A written transcript is available on the tutorial page.
Video Transcript
1. Make sure your tools are sharp! Change your rotary blade frequently.
2. Align your cuts with the grain of the fabric. Check the grain before you cut and correct it if necessary by stretching the fabric across the bias.
3. Don't move your iron. Pick it up, set it down and press. Don't swish!
4. Avoid fabrics that fray if you can. The looser the weave, the faster the fray. But there are other causes of fraying. Linen frays a lot more than regular quilting cotton.
5. Use starch, particularly when you're piecing. Starch helps provide a structure to your fabric.
6. Store your fabric wrong sides together to avoid friction or catching on other items.
7. Stop pulling stay threads! That's going to exacerbate the problem. Keep snips close at hand to do the job.
8. Pink your edges. This is especially a good tip for when you're pre-washing your fabrics. Use pinking shears or a blade on your rotary cutter. Do not wash pre-cuts in the washing machine - just soak them in the sink and let them dry on a towel.
9. Sometimes, just let threads lie. Don't let dark threads show through the light fabric, but be careful trimming. Work in the direction of the grain and don't pull on the thread. Use snips instead of scissors to avoid cutting the fabric.
10. If fraying reaches your seam, you may consider adding a second seam, or a small square of fusible interfacing.
