Any tips on dealing with a fabric that ravels really badly?

Is ravel even a word?  Or just a composer?

Anyway, the fabric I want to use to cover a seat cushion and staple on the bottom ravels really easily, what can I do about this?  Sew a hem on it or is there some kind of tape I can iron on it?

Ok I know nothing, but would burning the edges to seal them work with your fabric? That's how to keep rope from fraying so I'm wondering if it works on fabric. Don't laugh too loud if that's a lame idea! ha

I agree with burning or that liquid stuff used on ribbon.  If that doesn't work then yes, I would sew a small hem on it.

mamaof4boys:

liquid stuff used on ribbon.

called fray stop or fray check... you can get it at michaels and probably jo-anns

i would use that and then also hem it just to be extra safe sounds like a fun project!!!

CJ's Kids:

would burning the edges to seal them work with your fabric?

LOL... I am so uncrafty, I'm sure that would end badly!  And I paid $20 for a yard of this stuff (because I misunderstood the sale price) and I'd probably end up with a pile of ashes!

I am afraid when I staple it it will ravel and slip right around the staples.  I think I'm going to try to hem it and look for something I can sew onto it -- some kind of tape? -- then I could staple through the tape?  

Mom and I recovered a little bench that goes at the foot of DD's bed with fabric matching her bedding, and that went really well, but the bench underneath was particle board (easy to staple) and the underside of the piano bench is hard maple... no way i can staple into that.  I'm going to have to figure out something to put under it to staple into.

Maureen:

LOL... I am so uncrafty, I'm sure that would end badly!  And I paid $20 for a yard of this stuff (because I misunderstood the sale price) and I'd probably end up with a pile of ashes!

Make sure that you give it a big seam allowance because if you hem too close to the edge it will still fray.

What type of fabric are you using? Is it upholstery fabric? 

I'm asking because it may be beautiful fabric but it might not be suitable for what you want to use it for if it is not a heavier duty fabric 

With small amounts of fabric I burn the edges with a lighter.  Burning the fabric seals it. 

Do you know anybody with a serger? They are excellent for sewing a hem on a fabric quickly and neatly. 

Let me know how you get on.

sorry if my message repeated pp messges, for some reason the computer didn't put up any of the other replies until after I had replied!

 I wish I lived closer, I'd serge it up for you. I would definitely hem it and put bias tape on there.