One of the simplest ways to finish a raw edge is by pinking the raw edge. Pinking uses a special pair of equipment (called Pinking Shears) to create a saw-tooth edge to the fabric, which discourages fraying.
Unlike stitching methods of finishing a raw edge, you don't want to pink before you do your seam, because doing so might wipe out the notches you cut out and then you won't be able to line up your parts accurately. Instead, pink after you've put the seam into place and the notches are no longer necessary for lining up the pieces.
Seam-rippers aren't just for novice sewers. Even my mom finds herself messing up and re-doing a seam once in a while.
To rip out a seam, you simply grasp the fabric on either side of the seam and gently pull them apart enough to expose the thread that is linking them. I usually use my snips (carefully) on this first thread, as it might be fixed. Then, gently pull the two pieces of fabric away from each other. You can sometimes get about 2 or 3 of the stitches to come out on their own, but whenever the fabric halts and can't come away with gentle pulling, you want to put your seam ripper in under that expose thread and pop it out.
It actually doesn't take that long with a seam-ripper to remove a seam, and when you do it right, your fabric is still in good shape and you can make a second attempt.
Sewing does require an investment of both time and money. Before you start on your first sewing project, you will want to make sure you have the following items:
