After many years of battling with the problem of threads shredding and experimenting with all the suggested solutiotions I have found the biggest culprit is the cover cloth and the friction between the threads causing the threads to fray as threads slide across the edge of the cover cloth as you work. Try the following 1) If the selvedge of the cover cloth is smooth, press it well and use that edge close to the work. 2) Press along the fold to flatten it. 3) Use a smoother fabric for the cover cloth. 4) The one that I have fount that gives the best results is a strip of polythene about 5 inches wide stretched across the fold and pinned at the sides. It does not look elegant but if it prevents your threads fraying you have the answer.
Best wishes on a grey Tuesday morning in Sussex Alex - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]