how can i seal the raw edges

[aurora_skys]

of a mattress pad that has been cut into smaller pads? I cut a full size mattress pad into three crib sized pads and now I am faced with the task of sewing the raw edges shut. The pad has batting in it that I don't want to come out in the wash.. If I just fold the edge over its too thick for my sewing machine and I dont think that would effectively contain the batting anyways.

So what sort of method do I use to seal the raw edges? It seems like there should be some sort of thicker, tape-like fabric that I could just fold over both sides and sew on? But Im not sure what its called (if it exists) or how to find it.

tia!

[AlwaysByMySide]

My first thought is a serger. Do you know anyone that has one that you could use? (I'm guessing you don't have one.)

The fabric that goes around the edges that you are talking about is bias tape. You could also use a rib knit on the side; that would be soft. I'm not sure what your mattress pad is made out of, but you may have to pink the edges before you do that to prevent your fabric from unraveling in the wash.

[WC_hapamama]

If you have a sewing machine with a zigzag or overedge/overcast stitch function, you can use that.

Or you could use bias tape or quilt binding.

[DeepGreen29]

You could use bias binding, there is also fleece binding in the same section, which would be a good choice for a mattress pad since it doesn't wick (in case it got wet). Plus I find fleece very easy to sew since you don't have to finish the edges because it doesn't unravel!

You could also just cut your own fleece binding. I would just cut long strips with the stretch going along the length.

good luck

[aurora_skys]

thanks! if i can't find bias tape on sale i will cut some long strips of fleece and see how that works