This post is intended to share some “tips or tidbits” for unwanted fabric fraying which I experienced with my color guard uniform (or any clothing).

Problem:  unwanted fraying fabric on my edges of my color guard uniform.  As Color Guard members, we are trying to “look sharp”.  My edges or seams of my uniform were showing loose threads.

Why: I am not a seamstress so I will not speculate why it happened, just sharing how I hopefully fixed it.

Solution: 

First, I asked my wife for her sharpest scissors, the pair she hides from me so I will not use to cut electrical wire and dull them forever.  After signing a release, and I had the scissors was in hand, I proceeded to trim each of the little loose threads.  Once satisfied, I moved to step 2 below.

Second, I purchased some “Dritz Fray Check”.  This product is sold to “Stop Fraying on Fabric”.  I then carefully poked the smallest hole in the unopened end so just a little bit of the fluid would squirt out.  Then I applied a ribbon of the Fray Check to the rough edges of my clothing with the intent of slightly soaking the edge so it would dry and create a stop to the fraying.

Third, once the fray check has dried, reinspect and trim off any unwanted fringe, loose strings.  Note that the product dried on my garment clear, however dried hard creating a rough and course edge.  I take the good (no fraying) with the bad (a little rough edge).

Fourth, find a “Pet Magnet or Wand”, the type of roller with tape exposed outward to go over your garment and pick up the loose strands and lint you have created by trimming.  These rollers are commonly used to capture pet hair, and it worked wonderfully to clean up the garment.

Result – a garment which looks sharp!  Which is the way George Washington would have preferred.

I was very pleased with the results and wanted to share this problem and my solution with others.

Items Purchased – what they were and where I found them

Note that I purchased two products, so if I was unhappy with the first, I could try the second.  Fortunately, the first “Dritz Fray Check” worked like a charm and my second choice is unopened.  The second product I did not use was: “Aleene’s Stop Fraying.  Both products were highly rated and fortunately the first solved my problem.  Purchased both on Amazon, however suspect both available in fabric stores in your local area.

Warnings:

• Again, be very careful to not apply to much.
• Also color check a small area to make sure it does not do anything unexpected before you apply to the entire garment.
• There are product warnings on the bottle and packaging
• Odor, the product has an alcohol smell (glue properties).  If you start seeing stars and dreaming of your Revolutionary War battles, you may want to get some fresh air.
• Washability – personally I hand wash my Color Guard uniforms.  I am not sure if this Fray Stop would survive hard machine washings or dry cleaning.  I will not try to find out.  Buyer beware!