Hand sewing a hem

[Droid]

I'm a bit perplexed - the edge is raw and fraying - is it where there should be a selvedge, the top and bottom of the great kilt?

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

Clarification - It looks to me that all four edges of the material are in danger of fraying. I have 5 yards, double width, of the R'lyeh Sett and in the few times I've practiced pleating and donning the cloth as a belted plaid, a couple long threads have come off the ends and such.

I'm looking for the best way to protect the material and keep it all in one piece.

[Paul Henry]

Clarification - It looks to me that all four edges of the material are in danger of fraying. I have 5 yards, double width, of the R'lyeh Sett and in the few times I've practiced pleating and donning the cloth as a belted plaid, a couple long threads have come off the ends and such.

I'm looking for the best way to protect the material and keep it all in one piece.

I'm a bit perplexed (like Anne) as well, the two long edges would be the selvedge which won't fray unless they have been cut off, the short edges will frey for a little but if there is a fringe of an inch or so , it's unlikely that it would unravel very much, if you have a longer fringe it could be purled to make a nice decorative edge.
I've made many scarves from kilting weight tartan, and I generally uses a fine line of machine sewing inset slightly from the edge, it's virtually invisible and doesn't affect the hand of the cloth either, whereas a folded edge would.