How To Stop Fraying Fabric Without Sewing Easily

You can learn how to stop fraying fabric without sewing using these two secrets. And as a bonus, this guide will also talk about how you can keep the material from fraying using sewing techniques.

Speaking of which, are you already familiar with using the sewing machine? Why not read how to sew fabric pieces together with a sewing machine.

how to stop fraying fabric without sewing

The proper method of sewing will affect your project’s finish and if the edges won’t fray or unravel quickly.

How To Keep Fabric From Fraying Without Sewing

Pinking shears

You can stop fabrics from fraying with the right tools. For example, a pair of pinking shears can be useful to reduce the fraying of materials.

Some sewers even prefer finishing the fabric edge with pinking shears rather than stitching them. The serrated blade can stop the fabric from raveling, and the resulting zigzag edge is especially beneficial for keeping woven fabrics from fraying.

The pinking shears shorten the threads that can fray, so it can be a quick solution if you don’t want to finish the hem or seam allowance. You can also opt for a rotary cutter with the pinking blade if you’re working on long materials.

Pink along the seam edge then cut the seam in a straight line. Use a ruler to ensure a neat edge if needed.

Interfacing

Since pinking shears have their limitation on stopping fabrics from fraying, another sew-free option to finish your seams is with fusible interfacing. The good news is that interfacing comes in different types, and you can select the compatible one for your material.

For example, even if you’re finishing the edges of something as heavy as denim, there is heavy interfacing that can secure it. On the other hand, there are lightweight interfacing types that would suffice for materials like cotton.

To use interfacing, put its fusible side down onto the wrong side of the fabric edge and iron. Then, you can align the fabric with the interfacing to secure the seam.

The drawback of this method is that interfacing will show, and the edge itself will stiffen. And finally, note that you cannot apply heat to all fabrics.

How Do You Keep Fabric From Fraying By Sewing?

Use a serger

You can learn how to use a serger sewing machine because this device will help you make durable seams quickly and consistently. The serger or overlocker will even do the cutting for you, so it makes a good investment if you do projects with deadlines.

If you’re sewing a project that will be prone to stress and constant uses, it’s best to secure the seams with a serger because of its strong stitches. Read our comparison of serger vs sewing machine to know more about this specialized device.

Stitch the seams

Several stitch types will be perfect for finishing fabric edges. They include the zigzag stitch and overcast stitch.

The zigzag stitch is also a popular alternative for those who don’t have a serger since most sewing machines are capable of this stitch type. The overcast stitch, on the other hand, will finish raw edges neatly while also being decorative.

Make a French seam

Keeping the raw edge from being visible can help stop fraying fabric. You can do this with a seam style called the French seam.

A French seam means having the true seam inside another seam for a neat finish. It is beginner-friendly to do, and you can even do this to hide and fix the material’s edges that have already frayed.

How Do You Seal Fabric Edges?

Glue

You can seal fabric edges with glue to prevent them from fraying. Try fabric glue or even stronger adhesives like super glue.

However, gluing the seams will lead to a stiff fabric. You also need to distribute the glue well so you won’t have noticeable markings on the material.

Tape

A quick but temporary way to seal fabric edges for the seam or hem is with tape. You’re essentially making a sandwich with the tape in the middle and letting the adhesiveness of the tape hold the folded material together.

Note that sealing the fabric with tape won’t be long-lasting. On the contrary, taping the fabric edges can benefit projects that won’t be washed or used.

Heat

Some fabrics with plastic in them can be sealed with heat. An example is nylon and other synthetic materials.

However, be careful not to burn the fabric and only brush the fabric edge against the flame five inches at a time. Melting some fabrics can create a very durable edge, often needed for outdoor materials.

How Do You Fix Frayed Fabric?

A common way to fix a damaged fabric is with darning stitches. You’re essentially replacing the fibers that have frayed by covering the ripped area with tiny stitches.

Making darning stitches is possible with the sewing machine, or you can hand sew them yourself. However, remember to use thread with the same color as the fabric.

Conclusion

And that’s it! We just talked about how to stop fraying fabric without sewing, and it’s possible with pinking shears or interfacing.

As for sewing, you can keep the edges from fraying by finishing them with a serger, zigzag stitches, or even a French seam. Some fabrics can even be singed.

We hope this was helpful; leave us a question if you still have any.

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