In reply to the Blues' 6-440 declared, WA reached 7-245 at stumps on day two at the WACA Ground on Tuesday.
Edwards snared 3-23 from 16 overs and Abbott 2-25 from 15 in miserly displays.
WA's innings started horribly when Cameron Bancroft (one) was run out in the fourth over.
Bancroft's opening partner Sam Whiteman struck firmly to wide mid-on and called his partner for a run, only for the ex-Test batsman to fail to beat Ollie Davies' direct-hit throw.
Davies soon completed another dismissal with a sharp catch at third slip to dismiss Jayden Goodwin (four) from the bowling of Edwards.
NSW stalwart Abbott had immediate impact with the ball, dismissing Hilton Cartwright, who was caught behind for nine, edging a slightly wide ball attempting a drive.
Abbott, coming around the wicket, then bowled Whiteman for 20 with the left-hander beaten by an in-dipper as WA slipped to 4-45.
Hardie and Curtis launched a counter-attack, both making stylish half-centuries in a 118-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Curtis struck nine fours in his 80 deliveries, and his captain Hardie cracked a six and seven fours from 74 balls.
But their promising union was broken by Edwards, when Hardie edged behind.
In his next over, Edwards struck again when left-hander Curtis skied a pull shot and was superbly caught low-down by Jake Scott at deep square leg.
Joel Paris (46) and Kieran Elliott (34no) dug in to stymie the charge of the Blues, who earlier on Tuesday resumed their first innings at 4-345, but soon lost century-maker Kurtis Patterson.
The left-hander added only five runs to his overnight total before being bowled for 122 by Kieran Elliott.
Ben Dwarshius (20 off 25 balls) fell to tweaker Corey Rocchiccioli before 21-year-old allrounder Jake Scott accelerated.
Scott smacked two sixes and six fours in his 60no from 47 balls before the declaration.
Paceman Jhye Richardson (2-78) and Liam Haskett (2-82) were the only multiple wicket-takers.
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