The Historical Plausibility of Fray-Check

If you've read my last post, then you've skimmed some of the wacky, practical, and ingenious household tips and tricks for taking care of fabric, among other things, from the 1909 edition of The American System of Dressmaking.

There was one "Helpful Hint" in particular that caught my eye, that I felt merited it's own post.

"To Keep Goods From Fraying--Keep a piece of undissolved glue with your sewing things. When making buttonholes on wiry goods, mark them with a thread. Moisten one edge of the glue. Rub over the place for buttonholes on both sides before cutting, and when dry the glue will hold goods firm so they will not fray while working."

Is this...a period recipe for Fray-Check?

At it's surface value, this is a very clever way to tackle buttonhole-making on persnickety fabrics. But does this mean that "undissolved glue" could have easily been used on other sewing projects of the time, to secure other easily frayed edges on garments? And with that, for those of you who sew with super historical accuracy (yeah...you can count me out of that group...lol), this opens up the realm of plausibility for using Fray-Check in your garments from this period...or maybe even earlier!

This is the first I have ever heard from a historical source for using a substance similar to Fray-Check, but I would like to know more about this...when I finally get around to sewing all of the deliciously frilly Edwardian garments I have desired for so long, it's nice to know that I can rely on Fray-Check for delicate and fraying fabrics!