A raw edge that frays will keep unraveling every time you wash or wear the garment, so finishing it is one of those small habits that makes everything you sew last longer. There are several ways to stop fraying — here’s how to pick the right one for your fabric and whether you have a machine handy.
If you have a sewing machine
- Zigzag the edge. A medium zigzag right along the raw edge wraps the threads so they can’t unravel — the quickest machine finish.
- Serge or overlock if you have one — it trims and wraps the edge in one pass, the cleanest store-bought look.
- Sew a narrow hem. Fold the edge under twice and straight-stitch — it hides the raw edge entirely, best on wovens.
- Bind it with bias tape for a decorative, fully enclosed edge.
No-sew options
- Fray-stopper liquid (Fray Check) along the edge dries clear and locks the threads — perfect for small areas and notches. Clear nail polish works in a pinch.
- Pinking shears cut a zigzag edge that frays much more slowly — quick, though not permanent.
- Fusible hem tape bonds a folded edge with an iron, no stitching.
Match it to the fabric: loose weaves like linen fray fast and want a serge or enclosed hem; tight wovens are fine with a zigzag or pinking; knits barely fray at all, so a simple zigzag or even nothing is plenty. For a curved or fiddly edge, fray-stopper liquid is your friend.
Frequently asked questions
How do you stop a raw edge from fraying without sewing?
Apply a fray-stopper liquid like Fray Check (or clear nail polish) along the edge, cut it with pinking shears, or fold and bond it with fusible hem tape.
What is the best stitch to stop fraying?
A medium zigzag along the raw edge, or an overlock/serger stitch if you have one. A folded narrow hem hides the edge completely on wovens.
Do pinking shears stop fraying?
They slow it considerably by cutting a zigzag edge, but they don’t stop it permanently. For a lasting finish, combine pinking with a row of stitching, or zigzag/serge instead.
