Nothing is worse than frayed fabric. Unfortunately without finishing the edges of your cosplays after sewing the pieces together, it’s bound to happen. This poses an issue because it’ll make it more difficult to work with the fabric and ruins the fabric and overall look. Thankfully, there’s some solutions to prevent this. So let’s dive in and learn how to stop fabric from fraying so you can save your cosplays.
Sewing Options
- Sergers – This is going to be your most expensive route, but it is also considered the most effective. A serger can help to properly finishes your raw fabric edges so they look clean, hold together and don’t fray. While the machine itself can be pricey, they’re often seen as a good investment for a cosplay seamstress.
- Sewing machine & overlocking foot – If you’re like me and just aren’t ready to drop the money on a serger, there is options you can incorporate with your sewing machine. Sewing machines can have an overlocking foot added to them (often priced under $10). From there you just need to use stitches such as the zigzag or overcasting.
- French seams – With a standard presser foot and your sewing machine, you can also incorporate French seams. This technique is easy and makes sure raw edges are enclosed to prevent frays.
- Hand sew a whipstitch or blanket stitch – For those of you without machines or you maybe just prefer sewing cosplays by hand, there’s two stitches that can work perfect for this. Simply pick up your needle and thread and attempt the whipstitch or blanket stitch. These by far can be one of the cheapest options to choose from.
- Bias tape – Hide away your fabric edges in bias tape. This is also a great way to add a unique color border to your fabric. Don’t worry about having to spend money on expensive premade options at the store. With a simple kit, you can make your bias tape yourself from any fabric your desire.
- Rolled hems – This option you’ll want to exclusive use from hemming rather than standard sewing. A rolled hem encloses the raw edges of your fabric to ensure your necklines, sleeves, etc. don’t begin to fray and shorten. It can be added by hand or by using a specific presser foot.
How to Stop Fabric from Fraying Without Sewing
Besides just cracking out your needle and thread, you can prevent fabric from fraying with some other simple tools.
- Pinking shears – The unique blade shape of these scissors creates a serrated edge to your fabric. This will ultimately stop it from fraying. Pinking shears work best on materials with less texture like cottons. However, keep in mind these won’t entirely prevent fraying but only reduces the change of it.
- Sealants – Available in both spray and liquid forms, sealants are an option to help create a barrier on the edges of fabric. These are usually transparent in color so you shouldn’t have to worry about it impacting your cosplay’s appearance.
- Fusible interfacing – It’s important to note this option only works with fusible interfacing and not the sew-in kind. Find an option that’s weight, thickness and even color works best for the project you’re doing. Then you just need your iron to fuse the interfacing to the fabric to create a barrier against fraying.
- Hem tape – Another iron-on option, is hem tape. These come in varieties of colors so you don’t have to worry about it not matching with your fabric. This one is best to save for your heavier fabrics though as the glue from the tape can bleed through.
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: there may be a few links in this post that are affiliate links. Clicking these links or making purchases through these links can help support myself and this blog.