EagarBeez

I don't want my fabric to fray in the wash. Each piece is about a yd and a half. I am thinking of basting the ends of the fabric, or do you think it would be better to sew on my machine using the largest stitches? I only have a regular sears sewing machine

DogHouseMom

What kind of fabric is it? Manufacturer? If it's a good quality quilting cotton (Moda, Kaufman, etc)with 1.5 yard pieces I don't worry about fraying too much, it's pretty minimal with pieces that size.

Another option would be to hand wash.

I can't remember the reason, and it may be one of those "old wifes tales", but I was told to never stay stich before laundering. That was ... more years ago than I care to remember.

sewgull

Put fabric in a pillow case to wash.

ShirlinAZ

Trimming the ends with pinking shears usually works pretty well. I have a serger so I serge mine.

TonnieLoree

I have a small inexpensive mesh laundry bag that I use to wash smaller pieces in. Dollar store sells them in packs of 3. DogHouseMom is correct. Better quality fabrics will only have a minimum amount of fray.

just_the_scraps_m'am

staystitch!!! i use a zigzag stitch to confuse the threads..

Scrap Happy

This is what I do and it works great.

feffertim

me too

QuiltE

If you're meaning hand basting ... it isn't going to help much.
A machine stitch would be required.

As the others said, if it's a reasonable quality there should be minimal fraying. Then just trim it up when you go to use it.

Painiacs

If u cut a notch in the ends of the rows that feats it cuts fraying down also