What’s the quickest way to stop fabric from fraying? Before you wash, wear, or sew with it, finish all the raw edges. You can use a zigzag stitch, pinking shears, an overlocker, or a little fray check, depending on your fabric and tools. If you leave a cut edge untreated, it will keep losing threads every time you handle or wash it. This not only reduces your seam allowance but can also be frustrating.

This guide outlines all the methods available for preventing fabric from fraying, whether you are dealing with a small remaining piece or are cutting inexpensive, Grade A polycotton fabric. It lists the types of fabrics that fray the least, has a section concerning the preservation of polycotton edges, and specifies exactly which tools should be used at each step.

 

Quick Navigation

1. Why Does Fabric Fray, and What's the Best Way to Stop Fabric Fraying?
2. Which Fabrics Fray More (and Which Resist It)?
3. 8 Ways to Stop Fabric Fraying, From Quick Fixes to Pro Finishes
4. How to Stop Polycotton Fraying
5. How to Prevent Fabric Edges from Fraying Before You Even Start Sewing
6. Quick Fixes for Fabric That's Already Fraying
7. Which Method Should You Use?

 

Why Does Fabric Fray, and What's the Best Way to Stop It?

Woven fabric is made from two types of threads tightly woven together: the warp, which runs lengthwise, and the weft, which runs across. When you cut fabric, the threads at the raw edge can come loose, especially when the fabric is handled, worn, or washed. This is called fraying. Washing machines are the main cause of fraying because their agitation loosens the threads faster than anything else. That’s why it’s important to finish the raw edges before washing fabric for the first time. 

Tightly woven fabrics like quilting cotton and polycotton don’t fray as much, but loosely woven fabrics such as linen or wool suitings fray more easily. The long edges of fabric, called selvedges, are woven to be self-finished, so you only need to worry about the edges you cut.

To stop fabric from fraying, finish the raw edge right away. You can do this by stitching over the edge with a zigzag stitch, using an overlocker, or adding bias binding. You can also cut the edge with pinking shears or use a fray-resistant liquid to hold the threads together. The best method depends on your fabric, your project, and whether you have a sewing machine. Before you start cutting, check which fabrics need extra care.

Make sure you have the appropriate tools at hand before you begin. You can look through our full selection of scissors and cutting tools to find the ones that match your project.

 

Which Fabrics Fray More (and Which Resist It)?

Not all fabrics fray the same way, so it helps to know what type you are working with before deciding how carefully to finish the edges. Tightly woven fabrics tend to fray the least, while loosely woven ones fray the most. Knits do not fray because they are made from loops, not woven threads, so there is no cut edge for threads to come loose.

 

 

If fraying is a real concern for a project, something that will see a lot of washing and wear, picking a fabric further up this table, like polycotton, saves you finishing work later. It is one reason polycotton is such a popular choice for everyday makes: you still need to finish the edge properly, but you are not fighting the fabric to do it.

 

8 Ways to Stop Fabric Fraying, From Quick Fixes to Pro Finishes

Here are eight ways to prevent fabric from fraying, starting with the quickest and simplest methods, like using pinking shears, and ending with more advanced options, such as sewing a French seam for delicate fabrics.

1. Make a zigzag stitch along the raw edge.

The simplest way to fix fraying with a sewing machine is to use a medium zigzag stitch along the cut edge. Place the stitches close enough to catch the outer threads, but not so tight that the fabric gets distorted. This works for most woven fabrics, and all you need is your machine, a needle, and some regular sewing thread in a matching or contrasting colour.

2. Use pinking shears to cut the fraying edges.

Pinking shears cut the fabric in a zigzag pattern instead of a straight line, which shortens the loose threads and helps keep them from coming out. You don’t need a sewing machine for this - just cut along the seam allowance with pinking shears after cutting your pattern pieces. This method works best on tightly woven fabrics like cotton or polycotton, but is less effective on loosely woven fabrics.

3. Overlock the seam

An overlocker trims and finishes a seam in one step by wrapping several threads around the raw edge, making sure the seam stays together. This is the professional finish you see on store-bought clothes. If you sew often, an overlocker is a good investment, but for occasional projects, the other methods here work well too.

4. Attach the edge using bias binding.

Bias binding covers the raw edge with a strip of fabric cut on the bias, so nothing is left to fray. It also gives seams, hems, and armholes a neat, decorative look. When sewn on with a straight or zigzag stitch, bias binding is one of the strongest ways to keep edges from fraying, especially on clothes that get a lot of use and washing.

5. Apply the iron-on interfacing to the edge.

Before you sew the seam, cut narrow strips of fusible iron-on interfacing and press them onto the wrong side of the raw edge. The heat-activated glue holds the loose fibres together, keeping the edge stable and stopping more fraying as you work. This method is especially good for cuffs, collars, and other areas that already need interfacing for structure.

6. Use Fray Check (or clear nail polish) to seal the cut edges.

A liquid seam sealant like Fray Check or Fray Stop dries to form a clear, flexible layer that holds the cut fibres together and keeps them from coming apart. This is the fastest no-sew fix and works well on small spots like buttonholes, appliqué edges, or corners of seams that are starting to fray. For tips on using it safely without making the fabric stiff or leaving marks, check out our guide to fixing sewing mistakes.

7. Bind the fabric delicately with a French seam.

A French seam hides the raw seam allowance inside a second row of stitches, so nothing shows on either side. It takes a little longer than a regular seam, but it’s the best choice for sheer or lightweight fabrics like chiffon and voile, since zigzag or overlocked edges might show through or feel bulky.

8. Apply a hand overcast or blanket stitch to the edge.

If you don’t have a sewing machine, you can use a hand-sewn overcast or blanket stitch along the raw edge. It works much like a zigzag stitch, though it takes more time. This method is handy for repairs, small projects, or for sewing thicker fabrics like canvas and felt. All you need is a needle and some thread from your sewing kit.

 

How to Stop Polycotton Fraying

Polycotton comes up often in these projects, so it deserves a closer look. This fabric blends cotton and polyester, and that combination helps you out. Its tighter, more stable weave usually frays less than pure cotton, especially on straight-grain cuts, as shown in the fray-risk table above. Still, polycotton can fray, especially along curved or bias-cut edges, or if the fabric is cheaper and loosely woven.

Thanks to the polyester in polycotton, a zigzag stitch or a quick cut with pinking shears is usually enough to prevent fraying. Both methods work well on the tighter weave. Some people use gentle heat to seal the edge, since polyester fibres can fuse at low temperatures. However, this can be tricky for beginners - too much heat can scorch or melt the fabric instead of sealing it. Try this on a scrap piece first, and if you are unsure, stick with stitching. If you are new to sewing, check out our full range of polycotton fabrics to find a weave and weight that resists fraying from the start.

 

How to Prevent Fabric Edges from Fraying Before You Even Start Sewing

You don’t have to wait until you’re at the sewing machine to deal with fraying. A lot of it comes from how you cut and handle the fabric before you even start sewing.

• Cut with sharp shears or a rotary cutter; blunt blades tear the fabric rather than cutting it cleanly, loosening far more threads at the edge than a clean cut does.
• Whenever possible, cut along the straight grain of the fabric. Edges cut along the warp or weft tend to fray less than those cut on a curve or at an angle.
• If your fabric has a loose weave, spray it with starch before cutting. The starch will stiffen the fabric for a while, making it easier to cut cleanly and handle without the edges shifting or fraying.
• After you cut your fabric, finish the edges right away instead of leaving them unfinished in your supplies. The more you handle or wash a raw edge before finishing it, the more it will fray before you get to sew.
• If you’re worried about fraying, choose a fabric with a tight weave, especially for items that will get a lot of use and washing. Fabrics like polycotton or quilting cotton are more durable at the edges than those with a loose weave.

 

Quick Fixes for Fabric That's Already Fraying

If you notice an edge starting to fray, you don’t need to undo your work and start over. Just dab a bit of fray check or clear nail polish on the worst spots to stop it from getting worse. For synthetic fabrics, you can use a warm iron to press down loose threads until your next fitting. If the fraying is more severe, trim the threads with sharp scissors and finish the edge with a zigzag stitch, pinking shears, or bias binding to keep it from unravelling.

 

Which Method Should You Use?

A quick comparison of all eight methods:

 

You won't need to apply the full treatment to every seam. Seams that are only going to be seen occasionally or that will undergo just one wash can usually be dealt with by using pinking shears or indeed with nothing at all, whereas those which are worn, washed or handled regularly should be finished properly so that the fraying doesn't gradually eat into your seam allowance.

 

Ready to Start Your Next Project?

Once fraying is sorted, all that is left is choosing your fabric. Our polycotton range comes in a tight, stable weave that resists fraying better than most, in dozens of plain and printed designs, all Grade A quality, at prices that will not stretch your budget. Shop polycotton fabric by the metre, order a 99p sample to check the weight, and enjoy next day delivery on orders placed before 1:30pm.

 

Final Thoughts

There is no single right way to stop fabric fraying. The best method is whichever one matches the fabric you are using and the finish the project needs. If you only take one thing from this guide, make it this: finish the raw edge before the fabric's first wash, not after. Every method above is easier and more effective on a clean, freshly cut edge than on one that has already started to go. And if you are choosing your fabric before you have even started, picking a tighter weave like polycotton from the outset means there is a lot less finishing to do in the first place.