Fray Stop
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Lincolnshire, UK
Posts: 175
Fray Stop
While doing some raw edge applique on a panel where the edges were going to be left uncovered for a little rough and worn look, some of the fabric was fraying just a bit too much.
I used a product called Hi Tack Fray Stopper. It says permanent, washable and dries clear so I tried it. Seemed ok at first - it dried clear, but when it came to washing (cold water rinse) to remove marking lines and general grubbiness due to handling the Hi Tack turned white! It eventually dried clear but it doesn't seem to be doing the job at preventing fraying as it did before washing. The Hi Tack was fully dried and heat set before washing.
Can anyone recommend another product that might work better in the future. Believe me there were lots of tears and swearing when I saw that white, sticky mess. It doesn't show now but I would like to avoid this situation again.
Many thanks
HettyB
I used a product called Hi Tack Fray Stopper. It says permanent, washable and dries clear so I tried it. Seemed ok at first - it dried clear, but when it came to washing (cold water rinse) to remove marking lines and general grubbiness due to handling the Hi Tack turned white! It eventually dried clear but it doesn't seem to be doing the job at preventing fraying as it did before washing. The Hi Tack was fully dried and heat set before washing.
Can anyone recommend another product that might work better in the future. Believe me there were lots of tears and swearing when I saw that white, sticky mess. It doesn't show now but I would like to avoid this situation again.
Many thanks
HettyB
#3
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,660
Apply Fray Check sparingly. It tends to dry stiff, but it does seem to do the job.
The bottle says that the excess can be removed with nail polish remover.
As usual - it is always a good idea to do a test on a scrap or in an inconspicuous place.
The bottle says that the excess can be removed with nail polish remover.
As usual - it is always a good idea to do a test on a scrap or in an inconspicuous place.
#4
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
I wonder if the product you have is actually water proof. The fact that it turned white when water was applied makes me think that it's not. Here in the US, Fray Check is like clear nail polish (nail lacquer ?). It is water proof, but dries stiff & hard, so use very sparingly. Don't know that I would use it on applique unless it's a wall hanging.
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Lincolnshire, UK
Posts: 175
I suspect it isn't as waterproof as the label would lead one to believe. I wonder if it is just a PVA formulation - white glue. As it is a wall hanging panel, it won't be washed often. The claim "remains flexible" influenced my decision to use it.
#7
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Fray Block is one you might want to try. It dries soft, whereas Fray Check dries hard. Fray Block comes in two forms -- tube or brush-on (like nail polish). Here is a link to the brush on type on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/June-Tailor-JT...rds=fray+block
http://www.amazon.com/June-Tailor-JT...rds=fray+block
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,140
I've used both Fray Block & Fray Check. They both do the trick & launder well. That last time I bought Fray Check was close to 2 years ago, though, so it may have been reformulated since then to not be as stiff. But it used to be the case that Fray Check did make the edges a bit stiffer.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: England Alton Towers
Posts: 6,673
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