tearing fabric
#31
I always buy at least 1/8 to 1/4 yard extra cut then I bring it home and rip it to get the absolute straight of grain. I would rather lose 1/2 inch (1/4" each end) trimming after being ripped than sometimes about 1/4 yd. when it is cut and most people, even in quilt shops cannot cut a straight line without a ruler. However, in all of my local quilt shops, they do use a ruler when cutting.
#32
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: northeast NE
Posts: 1,072
I have most always lost more than half an inch of fabric on ANY piece I have purchased when they cut it because it seems like when meeting the salvages after prewashing, there is that 'buckle' in the fold, which usually means it's not even, so end up sometimes losing an INCH and a half. None of our LQS tear the fabric and rather than 'ruffle their feathers' by asking to tear, I most usually buy more fabric than I need anyway (gotta have that stash!). We all have our own ways of doing things to make life interesting.
#34
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 120
I like extra wide backings torn because I know then I will get the yardage I asked for. I have lost as much as 1/4 yard when they cut the but I like to have 45" fabric cut with rotary cutter or even scissors. since we all straighten with a rotary cutter, even when Ii prewash, I don't lose as much fabric. There is only one shop I have been to that tears and when i asked her to please cut the answer was "We don't do that" When I pointed out haw badly the threads along the edge had been pulled and how much I was losing she said I should just by extra fabric to compensate. I never went back to that store.
#35
Super Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: IN
Posts: 1,807
tearing fabric flips me out. I do not like it----at all. When we were little, I remember mom ripping old shirts and towels for wash rags but I had never seen new fabric torn until I was an adult. If someone tore my fabric that I was buying, I'd turn around and walk away without purchasing anything.
#38
Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Huntsville, Ontario
Posts: 25
I prefer to have my material cut. I find that when it is ripped it might be straight on the grain but you lose so much fabric. I also find that Quilt Stores that rip their fabric are very linty and dusty.
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