Preventing unraveling fabric in the wash

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06-28-2011, 02:42 PM

#51

BobbiG

Junior Member

Join Date: May 2010

Location: from MN and now in Texas

Posts: 232

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbee3

cut off the corners it helps

The only thing that really works for me.

06-28-2011, 03:18 PM

#52

running1

Super Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: Clinton, OK

Posts: 1,736

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deborahlees

I have found either using my pinking scissors and/or my wavy cut rotary blades, really works well....and if I see that on my fabric I know it has been washed.....

Well, hello... I should have thought of that!! Sheesh... I have sooo much to learn! :D

06-28-2011, 03:52 PM

#53

Borgie3

Junior Member

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: South Dakota

Posts: 170

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbee3

cut off the corners it helps

That's what I do, it does work.

06-28-2011, 03:54 PM

#54

roseOfsharon

Super Member

Join Date: Oct 2009

Location: Maryland

Posts: 4,449

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbee3

cut off the corners it helps

This works very well and also washing on a hand wash cycle helps :)

06-28-2011, 04:14 PM

#55

G'ma Kay

Super Member

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: west central Illinois

Posts: 1,048

if you have a serger, you can fold the piece in half and serge both ends together, only takes a second and lots less stringy.

06-28-2011, 04:40 PM

#56

DoxieMom

Senior Member

Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Central Florida

Posts: 535

I have pretty good luck cutting the corners at the selvedges or zig-zag stitching the raw edges. If the pieces are small, I also wash them in a mesh bag.

06-28-2011, 04:55 PM

#57

kaykuilts

Member

Join Date: Aug 2009

Location: Elwood IL

Posts: 66

Years ago I read a tip in a magazine about how to wash large yardages of fabric without having it tangle. The tip said to fold the fabric accordian style with the selvedges together, then using safety pins, pin all along the top and bottom (width) edge. That's the way I do it. I like it also because the fabric is already folded when dry. I have one rotary cutter set aside to pink the width edges and use it for fat Quarters.

06-28-2011, 05:39 PM

#58

kjym

Junior Member

Join Date: Aug 2008

Location: Santa Cruz, California

Posts: 195

I serge mine and on fat quarters I also put them in mesh bags. I don't seem to have any problems. Also I hang mine on the clothes live and when it drys its almost like it has been ironed. Sure beats the strings and knots and the tied up mess fron the dryer. kjym Kathy

06-28-2011, 06:30 PM

#59

vmhlake

Member

Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: NW Minnesota

Posts: 75

I just don't prewash my fabric...like the stiffness of not washing, and if after washing it kind of puckers I like the old fashioned look. Although I haven't had anything turn out badly by not prewashing or by washing/drying in dryer or hanging up. Fabric is too expensive to lose it down the drain!

06-28-2011, 06:52 PM

#60

JeanieG

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: Camarillo, CA

Posts: 4,601

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie's free time

I end up with a ball of string with fabric flags hanging off of it when I try to wash a bunch of fabric. I tried according folding and then pinning the ends, still got a wad-o-tangles, this time with pins sticking out of it; putting it in a mesh bag, got a wad-o-tangles in the bag; and the latest try is cutting the edge with pinking shears. Waiting for the load to finish now to see if that worked.

Any suggestions to avoid the next Gordian knot?
Julie

I always serge the edges before washing.