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Fabric shreds at seams.

artacoma | Posted in Fabric and Trim on

I am sewing a skirt with a lightweight 80% wool 20% polyamide fabric. The seams are serged and then topstitched. Unfortunately the fabric shreds if any pressure is applied the the seams. Does anyone know how I could reinforce the fabric? Seam binding, interfacing, I’d try just about anything!
Thanks in advance
Arleen

Replies

  1. FitnessNut | | #1

    "the fabric shreds if any pressure is applied the the seams"

    Do you mean that it frays at the seamline? If so, I would recommend applying strips of fusible interfacing over the seamlines (yes, I know this is a pain), then sewing the seam. Do a test sample first to ensure that the problem is resolved, pressing the seam open and treating it exactly as you would on the garment. I do this all the time when sewing certain silks that are notorious for slippage and it works very well for me.

    1. Nancy_K | | #2

      Thanks! I'm going to try it- it will be labour intensive, but if it's a great skirt and great fabric then that's okay.

      1. mem1 | | #3

        I would interline it so that you would have the interlineing taking the stress

    2. rekha | | #4

      You could use Fraycheck

      1. FitnessNut | | #5

        But it wouldn't look nice.

        1. rekha | | #6

          Mmmm

  2. PamelaD | | #7

    I learned about handling loose weave-fabrics the hard way when I took in a pair of loose-weave designer pants.  I seamed them so they fit the way I like, loose, but not baggy.  I also serged the seam allowances.  Well, the sections I had altered pulled apart at the seams.  It was then that I realized why all the seams were stitched with rayon seam tape right on top of the seam line.  The seams needed to be stabilized.  Once I redid my alterations using seam tape, the pants were fine.  Try it; it's not much work and it worked with this fabric.   Pamela D

    1. rsolish | | #8

      what is seam tape?is it like bias binding? i live in Israel so i need to know what it is in order to buy it.
      i have a Jacket suit that does alot of fraying and i keep trying to fix it.
      thanks
      Raya

      1. mem1 | | #9

        Seam tape is a narrowoften cotton twill weave which comes in rolls . It is often used in knit sewing to reinforce seams which need to be stabilized . Its also great on crotch seams on front edges of jackets to get a good edge and as a support in seams of fraying fabrics.After you buy it if it a natural fibre shrink it by bringing it to the boil and then ironing it dry. The resew you seams with the tape as part of the garment layers.It might work but if the fabric is too frayed it will need to be fused withsomething and then sewn again.

      2. classysewer | | #10

        Here are a couple of other alternatives. Use fray check on the seam edges to stop the fraying and then use Seams Great to bind the seam edges. This is a  sheer bias cut tape of nylon that curls over on itself when slightly pulled. You attach the tape to one side of the seam edge, fold it over the seam and sew again.

        If your seams are pulling away, your only alternative might be to open the seams and reinforce the fabric on the back with a light weight fusible knit interfacing. 

        1. rsolish | | #11

          thanks for the information!
          now i just need to buy the stuff and go do it!
          Raya

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