Stitched edges still fray over time.

Yes, they can. Stitching helps a lot compared to raw rubber edges, but it’s not forever. If you’re dragging your wrist over the same spot for a couple thousand hours, the thread will eventually wear down and start unraveling.

The prevention is pretty simple: don’t pick at the stitching, don’t fold the mousepad, and keep your desk surface clean so grit doesn’t grind the thread. If you need something that truly lasts, look for a mousepad with a “hemmed” edge (fabric wrapped and stitched underneath) rather than just a single line of overlock stitching. That extra layer of fabric resists fraying much longer.

Otherwise, just buy a new pad when it starts looking ragged. It’s a ten‑buck consumable, not an heirloom.