Preventing linen from fraying

It will depend upon the type of linen you are using. If it is a loose weave, prone to extensive raveling, then blanket stitching the edge would be advisable. If it's sturdier, then simple overcasting should be sufficient provided the stitches aren't space too far apart.

Sewing thread should do it. This is one of those "things" we do that sewing machines make light work! I'm sorry you don't have yours at hand.

Dianne

Thanks, Dianne. I think I'll try the blanket stitch. Of course, my sewing thread is packed with the machine, so I think I'll use some embroidery thread. Not necessarily my first choice, but I think it will work in this case.

--Mickey Edmonton, AB

to reply: mickey18385 at yahoo dot com

In a pinch, if you have enough extra to be able to trim later, masking tape will do.

In a pinch, if you have enough extra to be able to trim later, masking tape will do.

Now that's an idea. I could tape it now, then sew it when my machine comes out of storage.

I'll think on that. Thanks.

--Mickey Edmonton, AB

to reply: mickey18385 at yahoo dot com

Mickey, do you a sewing machine dealer handy where you live? You could always take your material in and ask to see how well their serger works in finishing the edge. I'm sure they would be only too willing to demonstrate it for you! :)

Mavia

You might want to try painter's tape (blue from hardware or paint store) or hair tape (pink from drug, discount or salon supply store). The painter's tape comes in various widths. The hair tape is about

Dear heavens! I grew up with a hairdresser for a Mom and never even THOUGHT about using pink tape! Most of my fabric these days is already .. uh... what's that word for stitched with those fancy machines whose name I can't think of? But I just may go raid Mom's "remains" closet for the fabric that I need to cut down to size. (and lest anyone be offended by remains, I mean her closet of stuff left over from when she did hair, nothing else. We call it the Remains closet because it's all that remains from the career.) Tegan

I usually sew the sides of linnen with a loose hem stitch. mirjam

I fall into the truly lazy category. I just add an extra inch each way and let if fray. After about 1/2 inch, it pretty much stops. I think I had one fabric that still kept fraying, so I took the frayed ends and corded them on themselves and that ended that.

Larger pieces are in scroll frames, so that limits the fraying as well.

Tara

If you have a large enough piece that you can afford to lose about 1/4 inch of the edge, you really do not need to do anything but pull the threads of the edges out, leaving a small fringe. Fabric will only unravel so far, I've found, even on large pieces. If you can't afford to lose those few threads, overcasting with a regular needle-n-thread will do nicely.

Joan

Unless the cat decides your project is a chew toy....

Okay, I'll modify my statement: Fabric will only unravel so far *of its own accord*, even on large pieces. And please keep curious kitties away from it.

There, like that better, Brenda? :):):)

Joan

lol. That's ingenious.

Thanks!

It really, really depends. I've seen some very coarse linen that ravels if you breathe on it. :-) Normally used for pulled work, not cross stitch. And you certainly don't want to fool around with monks cloth. That will ravel until the cows come home. (Thought that was a good line not used much anymore). So, the statement that fabrics will only unravel so far is a misnomer. It depends upon the fabric. Some satins are bad, too.

Dianne

No kitties here, and there won't ever be since I'm quite allergic to the little fur-balls. However, I do have a free-range bearded dragon who tends to go EXACTLY where I don't want him to go. Of course. And I'm certain his claws could damage the stitching, never mind about fraying the edges.

Since I also fall into the lazy category (at at least time-challenged ), I'll leave an extra margin. Then when our stuff is out of storage, I'll zig-zag stitch the edges with the machine. Eventually, I'd like to have the stitched line there if I lace the project prior to framing. And if the project frays too much to be annoying, I can always blanket stitch it or overcast it at that point.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!!

Good idea. I'll check into either of those options for the next project that I decide to tape.

I think the worst I've ever seen are those shiny, fuzzy throw pillows. Not sure what fabric--some kind of chenille maybe--but they ravel even when well-stitched and then the seams just disintegrate and one side of the pillow practically "melts" away.

Brenda Lewis wrote: > I think the worst I've ever seen are those shiny, fuzzy throw pillows.

No familiar, but I'm still laughing over the cross stitch/latch hook thread.

Dianne