Making your own carpet squares

[Josiegirl]

I have a piece of carpeting left over from having carpet installed some time ago. Plenty for making lots of squares for circle time. Once I cut the carpet though, how can I stop it from unraveling? Is there something I can apply all around the edges that would work? I was thinking of clear nail polish but is there anything else? Plain glue would seal it too, right?
Help please?? Thanks

[jenboo]

I have a piece of carpeting left over from having carpet installed some time ago. Plenty for making lots of squares for circle time. Once I cut the carpet though, how can I stop it from unraveling? Is there something I can apply all around the edges that would work? I was thinking of clear nail polish but is there anything else? Plain glue would seal it too, right?
Help please?? Thanks

Melt it with a lighter

[Josiegirl]

Melt it with a lighter

Yeh, I was wondering if that would work too. If I burn the house down, will the insurance cover it.
Thank you, now I can stop second-guessing myself and try it.

[DaveA]

Plain glue is probably not flexible enough to handle it. Fabric glue would last a lot longer.

I would probably melt the edges. Do it outside- burnt plastic is a smell that takes forever to get out.

Melt it with a lighter

As someone who plays with fire for fun and profit I would avoid a lighter. They're only built to run a short while before they run the risk of overheating and leaking/ burning. Plus you're going to have to have your hands next to the carpet and melting plastic HURTS on skin if it drips. If you have access to propane bottle torch use it. Otherwise use a big candle, set it outside on something non flammable, and run the carpet edge over the flame.

[childcaremom]

For sewing with fabrics, there is something called fraystop (or like that). I have never used it but I think it is a spray and it stops the fabric from unravelling. You may be able to use something like that.

[Blackcat31]

For sewing with fabrics, there is something called fraystop (or like that). I have never used it but I think it is a spray and it stops the fabric from unravelling. You may be able to use something like that.

This was what I was thinking too. My DD used to cut off a lot of her old jeans into shorts and she used that type of glue to stop the fraying.

I also wonder if you couldn't buy some sort of carpet seam tape and just wrap that around the edges to soften and seal them.