starshine

If it is something I want to be sure I don't have to spend time clipping tangled threads, or I don't want to loose up to 1/4 inch of fabric on each end I use pinking shears and no problem with raveling. Sometimes it takes as long to pink as to clip later, but I don't loose fabric to unraveling.
Also when I took my first class to learn to quilt, we were advised to also trim the selvege so any shrinkage would apply to all sides, other wise when the fabric along the selvage was in the quilt it may still shrink, especially if the fabric is one with a lot of shrinkage.

jojo47

I overcast the edges of fabric before putting it in the washer. I don't have a pinking shears. The only fabrics I don't prewash are layer cake, charm squares. jelly rolls and fat quarters.

Sheri.a

Today I read this helpful hint from a magazine that is over 10 years old and remembered this post. They said to baste the edges to reduce unraveling and clip the corners to remember the fabric had been washed.

Maybe the helpful hint got distorted over time.

k_jupiter

I clip all the threads from my unwoven edges and make little woven dryer balls out of them.

tim in san jose

ghostrider

...and I save the 'thread trash' for embellishing art quilts.

http://www.quiltingdaily.com/blogs/q...ce-design.aspx