What do you do when you picked out a fabric that easily frays at the edge?

Seam binding: Most upholstery fabrics don't need anything done to the edge. Many upholstery fabrics have a special backing the minimized seam unraveling. However, there are a few fabrics that easily unravel. In these cases

• Make a larger seam allowance.
  
  • The further you sew from the edge, the less likely the seams will unravel. having a 3/4" seam allowance when needed will help prevent fraying of the fabric edge.
  • When you use the standard 1/2" seam allowance, be careful to keep a full 1/2". It is only to easy to sew out near the edge, which means that spot will easily unravel.
• Use a seam binding tape.
  • There's a product called "Seams Great " that you can sew around the seam allowance that hinders the seams from fraying. However, it's hard to find in a wide enough roll to wrap around the thick upholstery seams
  • You can make your own seam binding tape by cutting diagonal trip of a light fabric, such as a sheer fabric, cheesecloth, or a thin drapery lining or other thing fabric.. Here is an example of self-made seam binding tape .
• You can get liquid seam binders:
  • There is a product called "Fray Check " that I've used with good success. For liquid products, this is the best I've found so far.
  • Another product is call "No Fray Spray "that I use quite a lot. Besides minimizing fraying, it also makes softer fabrics a little stiffer, making the fabric easier to sew.

Basically, I don't do anything about fraying unless the fabric warrants it. You can tell if the fabric needs some edge treatment by simply picking at the edge of the fabric. If the fabric will fray, it will show itself because you can easily make it fray by picking at the edge with your fingernails. Check it both across the roll and up the roll. Sometimes fabric will fray one way, but not the other way, so check for unraveling both ways.