How to Stop Yardage from Raveling

Use a zig zag stitch or pinking shears to stop fraying or unraveling.

When wearing a newly sewn garment or using a newly sewn tea towel, the last thing you want is for it to come unraveled before your eyes. Techniques you use before and during the sewing process halt the thread from unraveling and keep your item looking professional and good-as-new for much longer.

Things You'll Need

• Pinking shears
• Sewing machine or needle and thread
• Serger (optional)

Instructions

1. Purchase pinking shears. Pinking shears are zig zag scissors that cut fabric short and in a zig zag pattern, halting thread from fraying or unraveling. Craft stores, large warehouse stores and sewing stores should carry a few brands and price points to choose from.

2. After pressing fabric, cut out your fabric using pinking shears. Always use visual aids such as the top of the fabric, a see-through ruler or a pattern to ensure a smooth, straight line.

3. A second option is to use your sewing machine's zig zag stitch to secure edges. The zig zag stitch stitches over the edge of the fabric, securing the edges. Your sewing machine manual provides additional instructions on how to use this stitch.

4. Alternatively, hand stitch the edges with an overcast stitch. To perform this stitch, knot your thread and begin on the underside of the fabric 1/8 inch below the edge. Create diagonal stitching ending below the fabric. Space stitches 1/4 inch apart.

5. One last option is to use a serger machine to keep the edges from fraying and unraveling. A serger not only overcasts the edges but also cuts off the extra fabric, leaving a neat finish. Many sewing enthusiasts buy one for their home and professional sewing projects. A serger is not a necessary item, but it can cut down on the time you spend tidying the edges of fabric and aid in creating a professional-looking end product.

Tips & Warnings

• For small areas of fraying, you can purchase special liquid formulas that keep stray fibers in check.

• When using pinking sheers, if you generally mark placement arrows on your fabric with small scissor cuts, you will need to find an alternative method for marking, as the slits will blend in with the pinking technique.

• Pinking generally works best on cottons and other densely woven fabrics.

References

• NWTA: Hand Sewing
• Pinking Shears
• Clothing Repair and How To: The Serger
• Sewing for Dummies: Zig Zag Stitch