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polyester tablecloths what kind of seam to keep from fraying
aquamarineerica Advanced Beginner OR USA Member since 10/23/08 Posts: 266	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/26/10 10:46 AM I am sewing tablecloths for the restaurant I work at. This material frays very easily. I was told just to do a basic straight stitch one half inch from the edge. Okay, easy enough. But one, I had never sewed on this fabric and it was kinda slick! Two, I cannot see that a straight stitch will keep the edges from fraying. I want to sew something that I know will hold together well. These tablecloths will get a lot of use. Would a French seam be a good idea? Erica ------ Every day is a clean slate. aquamarineerica.blogspot.com
dfr2010   Advanced Beginner TN USA Member since 3/27/10 Posts: 1776	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/26/10 10:57 AM quick way - zigzag (if you don't have a serger, like me) quickest way - serge it (over lock? overcast?) slower, neater way - double fold it (fold 1/4", then 3/8" or 1/2" inch) ------ I don't really make mistakes ... I create "learning opportunities"! Murphy says: The better you match the thread to the fabric, the more likely you will need to rip some stitches out! I spend more quality time with my seamripper than I like ... Yes, I DO love fabric!! Happy owner of a band of Brothers: LX-3125, CS-770, CE5500 PRW, a PE-770 emb ... and now Kenmore 158.18032 and 148.12190 Blogging my "learning opportunites" at http://sewingmissadventure.blogspot.com/
Sewing Joe IN USA Member since 3/7/08 Posts: 423	Login to reply to this post In reply to aquamarineerica Like this post Date: 5/26/10 11:52 AM Maybe the want it to ravel up to the stitching--kind of like fringe? ------ Joe in New Albany, iN
mssewcrazy   Advanced MS USA Member since 3/4/03 Posts: 2306	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/26/10 12:44 PM I would ask again before doing the work- perhaps take a fabric scrap or even paper of the straight stitch as was requested explaining the fraying that will occur with that fabric and then one with a hem double folded. I found through the years that non sewers sometimes mean something completely different than what they said or described.
ukdame Intermediate FL USA Member since 8/1/08 Posts: 1820	Login to reply to this post In reply to aquamarineerica Like this post Date: 5/26/10 12:46 PM I agree w/previous post that serging would be easiest. Depending on how much cotton they have or All polyester Pressing the 1/4 inch and then turn another 1/4 would loook neat. Another option would be to use one of the softer bias tapes. Sew tape on at 1/4 inch then fold under and sew top stitch making sure your thread is a perfect match. ------ It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something. ~ Franklin D Roosevelt 1843 Janome 19606 ,Janome My Excel 4023, Brother 1034D, White 1750C, Kenmore 158.1803, White 764, Brother 780D.
j222b Intermediate CA USA Member since 12/28/04 Posts: 103	Login to reply to this post In reply to aquamarineerica Like this post Date: 5/26/10 12:52 PM Probably they don't understand sewing and fabric and how washing will fray a simple basic straight stitch. They probably measured and found they could do without 1/2 inch on each side and still have nice table coverage. I would sew as someone else said: sew a basic straight stitch (staystitch) at 1/4 inch from the edge (or serge), Fold on the staystitch favoring fabric toward the wrong side, Press, Fold again and sew-I think that's 1/2 inch total. It's more work and time consuming than non-sewers appreciate. The fabric probably does not take a good press, either. Temporary spray adhesive (Sulky kk 2000 or other) will help and can be used instead of the pressing step. I'd be interested to know what you came up with as a solution. ------ j222b
j222b Intermediate CA USA Member since 12/28/04 Posts: 103	Login to reply to this post In reply to aquamarineerica Like this post Date: 5/26/10 12:52 PM Probably they don't understand sewing and fabric and how washing will fray a simple basic straight stitch. They probably measured and found they could do without 1/2 inch on each side and still have nice table coverage. I would sew as someone else said: sew a basic straight stitch (staystitch) at 1/4 inch from the edge (or serge), Fold on the staystitch favoring fabric toward the wrong side, Press, Fold again and sew-I think that's 1/2 inch total. It's more work and time consuming than non-sewers appreciate. The fabric probably does not take a good press, either. Temporary spray adhesive (Sulky kk 2000 or other) will help and can be used instead of the pressing step. I'd be interested to know what you came up with as a solution. ------ j222b
sing201   Intermediate CT USA Member since 4/24/09 Posts: 16	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/26/10 1:04 PM I would fold it over 1/4 and 1/4 and sew. It will look neater and more professional. If its still fraying you can try using fray check.
diane s Intermediate OR USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 3916	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/26/10 10:09 PM I would use 1/4 inch 'steam a seam' and fuse under a narrow hem, and fold the hem over again and sew. ------ My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.
aquamarineerica Advanced Beginner OR USA Member since 10/23/08 Posts: 266	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 5/27/10 10:54 AM Thanks for posting. I have thirteen of these to do by tomorrow. I'm going to fold the hem over by 1/4 inch and then sew. I don't have a serger. Thank you again! Erica ------ Every day is a clean slate. aquamarineerica.blogspot.com

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