Stitches

How can I keep old embroidery from fraying?

I have some old t-shirts I bought while overseas that have a lot of sentimental value to me, but over time the embroidery on the front has begun to fray and even to come unravelled. It is simple threaded embroidery done by a machine, but I love the shirts and I would love to protect them. Is there a way I can repair them, or at the very least keep the pattern from unravelling further? There was backing on them at some point, but it has long since washed away. And I always wash these shirts inside-out, and only as needed. But I still need a way to keep the embroidery from absolutely disintegrating, if possible! Please help! Thanks in advance, R

Public Comments

1. Try some iron on interfacing to replace the backing you said had washed/worn away. You can also try a product called Fray Not. I can usually find it at any fabric store. I use it on the edges of my daughter's hair ribbons and it is wonderful about keeping the edges from fraying.
2. Go Buy some material and Fabric Glue, Cut out the design or pattern and glue it on the material you bought, and that with help Keep it together. You can also put them in frames and display them.