How do I prevent taffeta and something like rayon from unravelling?
I’m making 2 capes, one from some fabric that looks and feels a bit like wool but is really something like rayon or polyester, and the other has taffeta and kind of stretchy velvet. The rayon and the taffeta are already unravelling. I was just going to sew around the outside of the fabric, then make the seams. My friend suggested some iron-on thing to fold around the ends to stop them. What can I do?
$250 New J Crew Bow Monde Dress Petite 4P Silk Taffeta Caspian Blue Dress 4P
 | US $49.50 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 13:16:36 PST Buy It Now for only: US $69.70 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Comments
the best thing to do is a zig-zag stitch on the fabric before sewing the seams. You could do the tape thing, but it’s a waste of time and money
You have several options.
You can zig zag around the edges to finish off the edges before making your seams, or you can zig zag them together AFTER making your seams (just make sure your seam allowance is a little bit bigger). I know a lot of people use a really large zig zag when they do that, but I pefer a smaller one, as I feel it makes the edges of the fabric a bit more stable.
You do have the option of the fusible webbing tape, which is what your friend is talking about. It’s that tape which you can use to hem dresses or pants in a pinch. It is really simple to use–you simply pin it down (I am too clumsy, I have to pin everything before I iron or sew–you may be able to skip that part), fold over your raw edge, and iron it. The fusible webbing melts and bonds the two pieces of fabric together. If you choose that method, do be careful, as fusible tape comes in different strengths, and the super strong stuff will probably make your seams very stiff, which makes it so the fabric does not drape as it should.
Your third option, at least that I can think of, is a product called Fray Check (that’s in the US–am I correct in thinking you are in Canada? It will be available, but maybe by a different name if you are elsewhere). It’s a liquid, and you go over your raw edges with it, and it acts as a bonding agent, and keeps your edges from fraying.
Of the three options I have described, there’s only one I don’t recommend heartily, and that’s the liquid Fray Check. It’s a great product, and works like a dream, but it’s really, really expensive. The bottles are tiny, and they don’t go very far, and they are quite costly. I would say really light weight fusible tape or a semi-small zig zag is your best bet, unless you can afford many bottles of Fray Check.
I hope you are able to figure out something which works great for you. I am dying to know why you are making two capes! I have been thinking about making myself an old fashioned cloak for this winter, as they look to be very warm.
Good luck!
Leave a Comment