To cut or not to cut...

[hutzelbein]

When making hammocks, do you cut off the "fringe" fibers off the fabric? I have had fabrics with a straight selvage, but all the real hammock ripstop fabrics came with a fringe on both sides. When I roll the hem, it feels kind of bulky with all the fibers - but cutting it off is a lot of work...

BTW - do you roll the hem once or twice? And if once, do you fold the fabric that it ends exactly at the edge? I know, I'm anal, but I can see that it doesn't go through the edge when the light shines through... (Please don't ridicule me, I know I'm sick )

[jolunder]

On my first project (hammock) I left them on. On the most recent one (tarp) I cut them off. Lesson learnt: for me it really pays off to put in the extra work in the beginning. So much easier to hem that fabric (and cutting off the edge ain't nearly as bad as I had anticipated).

If I understand you correct, than I roll the hem once. Meaning fold once, fold twice, sew. I don't care for the inside, it put my efforts to sewing a straight hem (well, at least I try... ). If the fabric ain't perfectly cut, that will automatically create "imperfections" inside the hem where they don't concern me.

Sick depends on the point of view ;-)

Edited because of autocorrect on phone...

[Firesong]

I hem the fabric without cutting. Never noticed a difference. Once you do 20 or 30 it gets easier.

[gmcttr]

For a hammock, I usually just leave the 'fringe'. For roll hem, fold twice sew once.

Hint - the last 4:30 is the same as the first 30 seconds....

[IRONFISH45]

The "Fringe" stuff is where the fabric was attached to the loom, during its mfg. Depending on what you are doing you may want to leave it on or remove it. I left it on for my tarp and where I will leave the edge straight, because in my experience it makes a stronger edge. For garments and my shaped TQ I removed the selvages (fringe part).

I have found if I leave the selvage on for garments the fabric pulls wrong, it does not move the way I want it to. With a hammock I want the extra holding power. Really it all comes down to what your experience dictates, that is one of the challenging parts of DIY.

I get very perfectionistic, yes it has been a problem since I started it. Drove my husband nuts for a while. I backed off because I could not achieve what I wanted with three children running around.

When I was young being neat and tidy, having everything as close to perfect was a very desirable trait, not any more. I fight to keep my urge to make everything perfect under control. I use the Serenity Prayer a lot, especially the part about acceptance.

Right now I am forcing myself to do things without a pattern, very difficult however so far I like what I have done. I would do it differently if I were to do it again, however I am happy to use what I have made. Also my new rule is I must finish all projects even if they are going badly, they must be finished before I start something else.

[jwright]

For hammocks I trim the fringe but leave the pressed area wtih the holes on-fold twice and sew so the cut edge is hidden within the hem.
For quilts and other items, I trim the entire selvage off.
I don't know why, its just the way I roll.

[hk2001]

I leave it.. it vanishes quite well in the hem

[Tacblades]

I always cut them off and double hem so i can get a small hem.
I just use a marked cutting board and a rotary cutter simples.

If you leave them on then double hem so they are inside the hem,
if you cut them off, then you can heat seal the edge with a candle and single hem if you want,

any exposed edge will frey unless melted of course

[JoeR]

I am not sure what you mean by a single and double hem. I have always used a rolled hem for the hammock edges. I have tried trimming the rough material on some hammocks and left it on others. What I have decided for myself is trim back if I have plenty of material, but if I want to use the max width I just leave the rough edge. I use a soldering iron to cut ripstop and have got into a big mess trying to tidy up the edges so I only do it if I have plenty of material. if you use this method (heat) for cutting I have found you need to stay away from the hairy bits. I spoke to my friend who does upholstery work (no hammocks) and he did question my sanity when I told him I prepared the edges before sewing a rolled hem, he said if you do that don't bother with a rolled hem

[Boston]

I used to cut with a soldering iron, but honestly, it was a lot more trouble than it was worth. If you didn't keep the fabric taut, it will bunch up and you'll get a very rough cut. you need to keep indexing the fabric on the cutting surface. Cutting anything but a straight line (with a straight edge guide) was a little hit or miss. I just use a sharp pair of scissor's now. My layout surface is my hardwood kitchen floor though.

The only place I'd go against this is a draw string channel that see's a lot of use, like on a stuff sack. I've seen the wear from use cause fraying that eventually caused the seam to fail.

As for doing a rolled hem or not, even if you seal the edge, a rolled hem will still look a lot more professional. And a sealed edge can eventually break apart and fray anyway.

On the original question: I don't remove the fringe, if it exists. Just roll it into the hem and be done with it. Never caused me a problem. I also don't worry about what the inside of the hem looks like, just like nice even hem width, and a straight line of stitches. I can do a very consistent 1/4" rolled hem by hand at this point. A 1/4" hem foot helps to keep the fabric aligned too.