Is anyone good with a sewing machine?

My daughter wants to order shawls to go with her BM's strapless gowns. The store wants $80 for each one and she needs 8 of them. She wants to pay for them herself bec. the dresses cost the girls enough already. I asked about buying fabric so I can make them and we will save about $400. The only problem is the fabric is a taffeta that ravels (or it is unravels????) quite a bit. Are there any tricks to rolling the edge?
Thanks for any and all suggestions.

The best thing is to use a serger to reinforce the seams. But is a pinch you can also use 'Fray check'

http://www.joann.com/catalog.jhtml?CATID=43076&PRODID=12101&AID=10273743&PID=1374120

Wow Marcia. That looks like a really good product. Have you ever used it? Do you think it makes the edge hard? I would put it on the edge and them roll it and sew over it?

Practice is definitely something I will do over and over again.
Thanks to both of you for your time.

I used it for a bridesmaids dress one time, we had to do some last minutes fixes and this product really helped. (The lady that had sewn them did not prepare the seems correctly and all of our dresses started to fall apart. Not my wedding thank goodness, but I was the MOH) It did make the edges a little rough, but if it is hidden in the hem it should just act as added protection.

Definitely practice first and see if it works for your shawls. Good luck!

Thanks so very much. It sounds a lot cheaper than a serger.
Oh, that reminds me, I need to get measurements for shawls. I'll post the question on BHB. We were thinking 15 by 72 inches the most. What do you think? Because the fabric is a rather heavy taffeta, if they are too wide they wouldn't fall nicely on their shoulders.

If you want to roll the edge
1. fold it over once and use a small zig zag stich very close to the edge
2. fold it over again covering the zig zag stich and use a straight stich very close to the edge

Speed control is the key to step 2 - take your time.

Your measurements sound fine for taller girls, you can adjust down for anyone petite.

Thank you Fran. I wouldn't have thought of sewing a zigzag first. Do you think I will still need Fray Check?
I may have to check back with you again in a couple of months when the fabric comes in.

I asked my mom about this (she made my sisters prom dress)

1. make sure you iron a low setting (or steam it) and do it before you sew...as if it shrinks you are in trouble if it has been done already

2. there is nothing that has to be done differently...but she recommends that you are diligent with your pinning...as it is a slippery material

3. this will be more amterial, but you could sew two pieces together (the size you want the shawl to be) and turn it right side out - like making a pillow...then both sides are nice...


let me know if you have any other questions...and I can ask her...also ...you could go into any fabric store and ask the women there...they are usually pretty knowledgable