✂️ FRAYING FABRICS - 10 TIPS TO KEEP THEM UNDER CONTROL

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Do you like dealing with fraying fabric? These are tips that I have learned or discovered over the years. My new pinking blade for my rotary cutters is my new favourite tool 😎 enjoy

[@cuppajavaplease]

Karen, we are all so thankful for your four year anniversary. Congratulations! You are my mentor for all things quilted. I find your advice to be excellent, and your videos are clear and instructive. If not for you, I would have far less confidence in my ability. Many thanks!

[@sararempel7956]

Totally agree! I've gained confidence to try new blocks

[@arlenedewilde8913]

It’s been a long long time since I took sewing classes in high school, I had totally forgotten about the stretch technique to straighten the grain. Thanks. I always learn something new or you refresh this old mind of things forgotten. Love your channel.

[@twyla2575]

Karen, Congratulations on 4 years! Thank you for giving us so many great tips and tricks, the Decluttering challenge, and sharing the ups and downs of life with us. You had me hooked waaaaay back when your intro included walking your dog.

[@madhavidharankar]

Same here

[@wendywilson1736]

I also use a shorter stitch length. Seems some of the stitches were longer, almost my basting length. And yh es, I avoid fabrics that fray easily. I don't care for starch. I k ow we are only suppose to spray at the ironing board. But, I'm leery of spraying anything, due to asthma, and due to my pets.

[@pollyoz2193]

Starching doesn’t have to be a problem for asthmatics. Instead of using an aerosol it is possible to make a benign liquid using recipes easily found online. They will contain nothing that should cause you a problem, assuming you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients. You can then use a hand sprayer which requires no propellants and gas fumes and the droplet size will not be an inhalant risk. Hope this is useful for you.

[@triCece206]

Congrats on 4 years and I am very delighted you started. I have learned a lot from you and appreciate the care that goes into creating your videos. Cheers to many more years to come.

[@GinnyGibbs]

Congratulations, Karen! 4 years and more to come, right? Thank you for your tips and tricks, and your warm, supportive voice as you show us how to get it done.

[@karenwhitley7211]

Thanks Karen 😊. You have given us 4 years of yourself. Good, bad, and fantastic. We love you. Here's to another 4 and 300k views.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

🤗🤗🤗

[@lesa6399]

Karen continues to teach & I/we keep learning! Thank you for sharing! 💜

[@brendagriffin6437]

Congrats! 4 Years! I am so glad I subscribed to your channel! Now that I'm retired, I usually try to work on one quilt at a time, because my mind can only do 1 at a time, and I still get fraying. It's just a part of quilting, I guess. After my quilt top is completed, I start "prepping" for my longarm person. I lay that quilt on my table with the seam side up. My flat ironing board is underneath. While snipping threads I also press the seams down as I go along. This is the time where I pin places that need reinforcement or to unstitch and restitch a wayward seam. Then, I flip the quilt over, snip threads and press from the top. Depending on the pattern I may add starch. I am always amazed at my thread pile. It sometimes takes me a couple of days of snipping and pressing. My longarm person thanks me. She says she can quilt my piece without worry of stray threads especially in a white area. It's a tedious job to do this extra work but I always like the result. Two things I include when I gift a quilt: 1. A note: Snip, don't pull threads & 2. A box of Color Catchers with instructions on how to wash the quilt the first time. :-) The one thing I dislike.... washing/prepping my backing. Stretching the grain is impossible to do. Especially the large 108 x 108. The grain is ALWAYS a mess and hard to press. My rule: If I've prewashed the top fabrics, I wash the backing, which adds to the crazy grain issue. Some companies will give you a little extra on the cut, but most don't. I have tried ripping (like the good ole days) to figure out the grain but sometimes you start off with a little snip and by the time you get to the other end, you've lost 6 inches (washed or not-plus ripping pulls the threads) Multiply that by 2 ends and that's a lot of loss. So now I buy 1/4 of a yard more on for my large quilts and straighten as best I can. (Sometimes hubby helps-what a great guy!). If I have leftover backing after quilting, I use that for accessory backs to go with quilt. ex: Pillows, runners, etc. If it is a good quality backing, it may end up in another quilt top. Looking forward to more of your great videos in the future! Warmer weather is almost here! Can't wait to open those windows.

[@ralphrobert1513]

Yeah it’s indeed inspiring. How are you doing today, it’s a great to chat with you here, Brenda

[@garnettasmith1717]

I pinked the edges of fabric I washed today! GAME-CHANGER! Why did I not know that before? Thanks, Karen!

[@lindakelly5669]

Congratulations on your 4 year anniversary. 4 years ago I retired and I have been watching you ever since. I have a tip if someone has to wash a small piece of fabric such as a precut. Place it in a salad spinner with some water and a drop of dish liquid and swish it around.. Then you can rinse and 'spin' it out gently.

[@lisaroper421]

Yes, I have done this with good results! I actually said to my husband, "I need a new salad spinner for quilting." He didn't even blink! 😂

[@barbaraimwold4352]

Wow I was surprised that I have been watching for 4 years, time does fly when you are having fun. Thank you Karen.

[@angiemcdermid4845]

So inspiring. Generously teaching through sharing realistic mistakes

[@ralphrobert1513]

Yeah it’s indeed inspiring. How are you doing today, it’s a great to chat with you here, Angie Mcdermind.

[@tessahermelin2117]

Absolutely great content on your channel. I am new quilter and have been learning tons through your content. Thank you for the time you put into these videos.

[@juliemorrison4348]

Congratulations hitting you 4year milestone. So glad I discovered you (and how to use u tube) two years ago. Lol. You have shown so many great tips and inspiring quilts and I can't miss my daily dose now.♥️🇦🇺

[@jkoucheki]

Wow - I can't believe it's been 4 years. You've done a great job and I always enjoy your videos! Keep'em coming!

[@ralphrobert1513]

Yeah it’s indeed inspiring. How are you doing today, it’s a great to chat with you here, Jannie

[@mariavaldez7147]

Congrats on 4 years. It has been sooo educational for all of us. Just now you said, "Don't. Pull threads". That is exactly my problem. I guess I have to restrain myself! Thanks so much for sharing.

[@ninamenard8944]

Wow!!!! Four years !!! Congratulations !!! You have kept me company through the worst Covid lockdowns !!!

[@annikalindqvist1016]

Tack för att du finns och delar med dig av dina kloka kunskaper och tankar. Hälsningar från Sverige!

[@cindymiller7818]

Karen! What a great video, I found it very helpful! Thank-you! I love your videos and I have gotten a lot of valuable information from you! I would like to see a video on preparing your quilts for the longarmer. Tips on pressing a full quilt etc. Congratulations on four informative years, you will never know how much you have helped me!

[@sandybettencourt5735]

Congratulations on 4 years, Karen!! I always learn something from you!! Thank you!!

[@laureneeheman5981]

I also have to add a big thank you to Karen! I just thought there was nothing to be done and matching the salvages automatically strained the grain. Now I will pay attention! I have learned so much from your tips and tricks! Signed, Grateful

[@lindawilson4930]

Thank you Karen for great videos on quilting. I've been following you for more than a year now and you never disappoint. Love your interviews and your tips & tricks! Congratulations on 4 years! It's only getting better, so hopefully you will be gracious enough to continue on being so generous.

[@conqueringmountscrapmorewi2509]

Hi, I hope you had a lovely day! I had a busy day in my sewing room, playing with strings of fabric and now I get to watch you! I hope you have a beautiful week ahead. Thank you for posting this video, sharing your time and talent.

[@vickismallwood2082]

Thank you Karen I wish we had your channel back in the Nineties when I did my first applicate quilt. Strings were everywhere and what did I do? You are right I pulled them thinking this would stop them. No I ended up destroying my quilt😢. I could have used this information back then but since have learned it the hard way. Thank you as I learned so much from your tips and congratulations on your four years on UTube .

[@sararempel7956]

Congratulations on 4 years! Always enjoy your timeless tips tricks n strategies,

[@janbrassard7857]

Wow. Thats great! Four years of you giving us great advise and incites. Thank you. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but they are wrong because this old dog has learnt a lot from you. Lol!!

[@denisev.1217]

Awesome Karen! Congratulations on four great years!

[@theresafanchin6835]

Karen-4 years...Congratulations! I love your videos and always look forward to your next posting. My favorite is your Color Theory series. You explained in a straightforward and easy to understand manner. I often just hit Play All on your channel and listen to YOU while working around the house, crafting, or quilting. Thank you for sharing your tips, tricks, and strategies!

[@shannonschwab3754]

Congratulations on 4 years. For sure one of my favorite channels!

[@yvetterichey5328]

Your videos are so helpful. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I am constantly saying to my quilting family and friends 'Well, Karen Brown says..." 😉 Here's to another 4 and more years.

[@kathrynrogers4079]

Such good advice. A natural teacher.

[@michellecornum5856]

Wow, four years! It's hard to believe it's been that long. I once prewashed some non-quilting fabric that frayed in the dryer. It lost nearly 8 inches of length. The nest of thread was immense and encased almost all the fabric I had washed with the one that shredded. Now, if it looks like I have a potential shredder, I will either serge the edges before I wash it, or I will sew the two cut edges together, forming a large tube, before I wash it.

[@ralphrobert1513]

Yeah it’s indeed inspiring. How are you doing today, it’s a great to chat with you here, Michelle

[@lizagervais8621]

Congrats on 4 years! Love your videos!

[@ppageau]

Congrats on your 4 year milestone. Since I’ve discovered your channel, my sewing has improved tremendously. You are the best at explaining how to be a great sewist. Thanks!

[@ravensmokedancer8242]

Four years!!!!! Thank you again for helping me get it done! I love your channel!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

🤗🤗🤗

[@rhondagarden8878]

🥳🎈🥳🎈🥳🎈🥳 Yayayayayay!!! FOUR YEARS!! I'm SO HAPPY for you! CONGRATULATIONS!!! 🥳🎈🥳🎈🥳🎈🥳

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thank you Rhonda

[@michelletothill8551]

Congratulations on your 4 year anniversary. Yours is one of my favourite quilting channels.

[@neetajoshi8977]

Congratulations For 4th annivrsry karen🙏🏻💐..i have learned so many things in quilting..thanku🙏🏻..Love from India💖🇮🇳

[@margaretbaker623]

Happy anniversary! ⚘ Thank you for all your hard work.

[@LoriJ343]

Congratulations on 4 years! Thank you for your very practical and helpful videos! They have been such a help to me!

[@rotto792]

Where do the years go? I have been with you since your first video! Congratulations, and best wishes for many more inspirational "words of wisdom". Keep safe and well.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

🤗🤗🤗

[@wilmasilveira1416]

Congratulations you are a great teacher and better communicator I love your videos. Thank you is difficult to explain how much delight you bring to myself. We have not met but it feels like are long time friends.

[@AuntDi2]

Congratulations on 4 years! Yay! Always enjoy your content! Thank you!

[@lexitejeda6209]

I "found" you early on, thanks to KZbin sidebar suggesting you, and I'm so glad I did. You have the best techniques and tips! (Honestly it was paining me to watch some other KZbin quilters.)

[@susan4593]

Happy anniversary. I really enjoy your videos. There are lots of tutorials with perfect people who make perfect quilts, never make a mistake, and know exactly what they're doing every minute of the time. Thank you for being a real person. I have watched some of those first 10 videos you had and you have come a long way. It is inspiring. One does not always have to know exactly what they're doing in order to succeed at it. Congratulations, and I'm glad to have found you and am a subscriber. Your personality and the fact that you are not perfect just like I am not perfect, but share your imperfections as well as your masterpieces keeps me watching your videos as soon as you put them up. Very well done !!

[@andreaelder7040]

Congrats on 4 years! Thank you so much for sharing so much knowledge with us.

[@judithhope8970]

Congratulations Karen. I do enjoy your tutorials. Many thanks.

[@bjobin5321]

Great tips! Thank you for sharing them the past four years and wishing you many more years on KZbin!

[@bethcharette8515]

Congratulations on 4 years! I love your videos! You have helped me become a better quilter!

[@dadams512]

4 Years! Congratulations! I've only just discovered you in the past month or so, but I thoroughly enjoy your channel. Thank you!

[@brendagriffin6437]

Watch her other videos. They have changed my life.

[@dadams512]

@@brendagriffin6437 Oh, my - I have watched so many! I love the tips and tutorials. She has a great delivery for giving us instructions. I just love Karen's channel!

[@jackiemobley8529]

Great video, Karen! Happy fourth anniversary! Thanks for all you do for the quilting community.

[@karenlewis3694]

So much great information!! You are such great teacher / instructor. Congratulations on your 4 yrs anniversary!

[@mlatham23]

I emailed you about a quilt I was starting a while back. It is my second quilt, and the first that I am piecing to a pattern. The first was a crazy quilt. I finished my 4th block this evening. 3 of my blocks are big enough, my first was an inch and a 1/8th too small. It will need to be a matching pillow. I solved most of my flying geese problems with the masking tape trick. I found that one of the problems was shrinkage because my iron was too hot. I was losing 1/4 of an inch in the length of a 4-1/2 block. This evening I walked away with I have to go find out what is in Karen's ironing tutorial. I found this video first. Because even though I had put tape ledges in all the places I need them and my cutting was the right size. I was really frustrated by the fraying. I chose mostly quilting cotton with some some batiks. I am really unhappy with some of the Northcott fabrics because of the fraying. The heat I would normally use with the starch is causing shrinkage so I guess I will try it again at my lower temperature. Anyhow thank you, between this video, the ironing video and the cutting one I have more techniques to try. I have definitely been swishing among other things.

[@quilteatime]

You read my mind! I was groaning over fraying fabric just last night. You always have something practical and useful to teach. Thank you!

[@debraogle7932]

First time I have watched this video. Thank you! Being a new quilter 5 years ago, I had trouble finding someone to help with the problems that I had, so since I have sewn garments since the early 70s, that's what I relied on several times. I had uneven seams, and some were not quite 1/4" so after some thinking I resorted to very light-weight interfacing to stabilize the area. Sure made me smile when I saw you suggest it. Better than a hole in the future.

[@sharoncraven3787]

Thank you for your hard work and congratulations on your fourth anniversary on KZbin! I always learn something from your videos and really enjoy your common sense approach to quilting!!

[@nadinesingleton3821]

Happy Anniversary and thank you for the tips.

[@lisaroper421]

Great stuff! I have not been around for 4 years, but I have loved it all anyways! Thank you!

[@bethkoch11]

Congratulations on 4 years! Well done! Another video with lots of sensible advice. One of your suggested repair techniques really works: I recently finished a quilt top, and just before creating the quilt sandwich, I found a hole created by fraying, just as you described. I put a little spot of fusible on it, as I couldn't think of how else to repair it (of course it was right in the middle), and it seemed to solve the problem. Fraying is always a danger, and the fusible web patch is a good emergency repair solution.

[@katpaints]

Yay for four years! I just wanted to mention a tip that has saved me a lot of mess when prewashing fabric. I clip the corners of the fabric before washing, making sure the clip takes the corner of the selvage completely. It is the unwinding around that selvage that causes the problems and when it is clipped, it cannot unwind. It is also convenient in being able to see if it has been washed. Years ago I zigzagged or serged around everything and washed it - including my dry-clean-only fabrics. I had young kiddos and had stopped sending things to the cleaner because life was messy. Now my big concern is colors that bleed, but a color catcher helps that and shows which colors are the problem. White vinegar is my friend there. :D

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thanks for the tips

[@frances6827]

Yay 4 years, and very helpful ideas here!

[@lorrainemorrison5290]

Karen, you must have been reading my mind. I have just finished piecing my second quilt which is the rainbow quilt by Sugaridoo. I found the Kona cotton fabric fraying very badly and thought it was just me. I will be better armed in the future to deal with it. Now you have given me great tips to follow in preparation for quilting too. Thank you and congratulations on 4 years of giving such valuable advice to learners like me.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Those Kona’s can be very off grained.

[@helenmorgan4003]

Thank you Karen great info, just gave my oldest grandson his 18th birthday quilt, he is into Japanese culture so used indigo fabrics with mustard and rust colour Japanese fabrics and backed it with a dark blue/black grunge and bound it in the rust. He was quite thrilled with it seeing I hadn't been doing any quilting sinced the bleed on my brain, I had started it before and had all the pieces cut, they were wedge shaped and I had it quilted on a longarm as it's a queen + size. Blessings from down under, stilll waiting for the leaves to change colour.

[@karenvanraden9912]

Thank you for these tips Karen! So many things I had not heard before. I always learn from your videos. I had one stubborn piece of 108’ wide fabric I purchased at my local quilt store last year to try to make my husband a king size pillowcase, and I could not get the grain to straighten on it for the life of me. I tried tearing, I tried pulling, I tried washing, all suggestions from a very helpful on-line quilting community, but the fabric is still folded up somewhere because I never did get it straight.

[@jayneterry8701]

Trimming with the grain , good idea! Handle fabric as less as possible. I know this can be difficult for beginners but keep in mind. 🙂 Congrats on 4 years Karen! ❤🇨🇦💐

[@cynthiastark7258]

Thank you for all your tips and tricks. You always give me at least one I hadn’t heard before.

[@annettecanonica5220]

Congrats on 4 years. Enjoy your videos very much. Good luck and much health in the future.

[@karin0963]

Happy YT anniversary!! I appreciate all the tips, tricks, and strategies you give us.

[@meredithmiller4848]

Great Information - and thank you for 4 years of sharing your knowledge and ideas!

[@cherylwilliams42]

👏👏👏🎉🎊🎶 congratulations on four years!

[@francelichter7314]

Great tips! Congratulations!

[@leahholland6272]

Thanks! Although when I first read you title I read it "frying" It's been a long day! Maybe I'll skip quilting tonight

[@lisapfeiffer2266]

You are amazing! I have been quilting for years and have experienced everything you talk about here. Thank you for your clear instructions.

[@livingweirdestherc6644]

Thanks for the tips. You are always so helpful.

[@susanbaker8023]

Congratulations Karen 🎉🎉🎉💞. I've been watching you for about two years. So glad I found you 😊. Looking forward to seeing more.

[@melanie_luv2_sew]

what a GREAT video. Thank you so much for sharing your fabric wisdom.

[@melissasofia4041]

Happy 4th Anniversary Karen!

[@SusanMirro]

I adore your videos...they are super informative...I need advice on how to stop or slow down the fraying when working with brocade fabric

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

It just does. You can surge it first

[@carmenbailey1560]

I prewashed my new fabric once, never again. You gave us some great tips especially pinking fabrics when storing. I also have made the mistake with pressing and stretching on fabric within my blocks. I tend to learn from making mistakes. Thanks for sharing your tips 👍❤️😊

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

They are not mistakes if we learn from them

[@angelerobichaud2586]

Congratulations 👏 n your 4 year anniversary. You always give good tips and ideas. Thank you

[@vickiharris5441]

Thank you!! Another GREAT video!! Congratulations on your 4 year anniversary, wishing you many more ❤

[@sandramyer7081]

yes I’m glad you continued your series and have been following you from the beginning! you have helpful and suppirtive and I have learned more from you a d your guests monthly- Thanks to you! its great to follow you and your understanding and teaching and details make a difference! Thank you, Karen Brown😁📱❤️

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thank you Sandra. You kind words of encouragement have been part of that journey. So glad you are here

[@petrak9898]

Very helpful video, thank you Karen for your work♡

[@annetteellis4188]

Great video of information. Congratulations on 4 years. Your videos always offer such great information. My iro has stopped spitting or leaking water from your handy tips. Thanks for all you do!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Excellent

[@angelakohler165]

Hi Karen, Congratulations on 4 years. Thank you so much for all your videos. I have enjoyed watching and have learned a great deal. Thank you and keep smiling 😃.

[@beverleyhasler1521]

Congratulations on 4 years on KZbin. 🥳👏🎉 We’ll done Karen. What an amazing journey you have been on and thank you for taking us with you. 💞

[@roycelenamond746]

Karen, thank you for ALL of your helpful tips, tricks , and useful information!! I would REALLY L❤️VE to see a video on the use of seam rippers. I’m sure someone showed me in Home Economics. But that knowledge is gone. And may not have been “correct”. Thanks again for the great content!

[@joannemorris4451]

Love that blue and yellow weaving! Seriously, great video. I have had dark threads show up under a light part on finished quilt...yuck!

[@rshallmark6877]

Congratulations! Seems like yesterday when I started watching your videos. I have benefited greatly from your tips and strategies (especially about pressing) and look forward to more from you.

[@loniegraham3834]

Happy Anniversary! I’ve been a fan right from the y! Keep it going! You are Wonderful!🎉

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

🤗🤗🤗

[@cindymcfarland4686]

4 years! Wow. And I've been watching since day 1. Where does time go? This episode was very informative! Thanks!!

[@beckyjohnson3161]

Happy Anniversary! Looking forward to many more years of your videos. 😊❤️❤️🎉

[@jeansanders7131]

Congratulations on your 4th KZbin Anniversary! It seems like I was along for the ride for many of your videos, enjoying them all. 😊

[@donnacolegrove4113]

Thank for the fraying info. Much appreciated!

[@GrandmaD2024]

OMG.. i never thought about a pinking blade for my cutter! 😳😳 I also just washed 2 precut pillow case sets 😢. They frayed some what but I never thought about just soaking them either. I did a "quick wash" setting and it helped some. I put small pieces into a washing bag which seems to help.

[@JaeMarie2008]

Happy 4 year Anniversary!! Congratulations and wishing you continue success on your channel! I truly enjoy watching your videos and have learned so much! Thank you for all the hard work and dedication you do in all your videos! Cheers!

[@jayanthirao9726]

Heartiest congratulations Karen!!! No wonder my quilts are getting better 😂 💕 wishing you many more happy accolades 👍

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thank you so much!

[@pamelabarrett7645]

Very interesting tips thanks.

[@bq1428]

Thank you. I didn't realize the problem could cause more problems besides making our projects becoming hairy looking.