When I prewash, which isn't often, I fold the fabric ends back and forth to make a 3-4" fold like an accordian and then safety pin them, wash and dry. When you take the pin out the edges that have reveled but not very much. very easy to trim.

I serge everything before I wash it.

Now that was BRILLIANT thinking!!! :thumbup:

Years ago, my daughter needed a "solid color dress" for a sorority whatever. I made her a pretty red one and after it was finished, was snipping a thread from just below the zipper. Yep, you guessed it! Luckily, it was right at the stitching line, so I dabbed it with Fray Check and advised her to be careful with the zipper. It was just a tiny snip but just made me sick! You'd think I'd have learned a lesson, huh? LOL

Sounds like a good idea but I'm always a bit wary of pinning things, going into the washer. With my luck, the pin would catch on something and end up ripping a hole in the fabric! I've also heard of basting the fabric first . . . but that seems like an awful lot of trouble. To my credit, I do at least put the smaller pieces into lingerie bags . . . when I remember. LOL

Love it!!! We should all keep appliques on hand!!!! :::::making mental note:::::::

Glad no real damage done. I use my pinking shear rotary cutter (no sure the correct name) so I don't have thosethread issues after washing. It makes my Life so much easier.

A timely warning! Just getting ready to wash a bunch of fabric. Thanks!

I'm not ashamed (maybe embarrassed) to admit I've done this and I've also snipped my fingers.

I have been saying this alot on the current wip! I will remind myself of the "oops" with the thread snippets too.

I'm partial to drawing blood, by stabbing my hands, with pins. I just finished a dog bed (quilt block top), for a friend of mine . . . and I swear, I stabbed myself with that thing, at LEAST a dozen times! Smoothed the top. . . right into the already-there pins. Folded the bulk, to sew seams . . . and guess what happens, when you press down on pinned fabric! <sigh>