nativetexan

I don't like mine torn either. haven't encountered it at fabric stores yet.
i did tear some border fabric myself yesterday but yes, there are strings which i hate.

AnnieH

I think it's kind of cute and old-fashioned. I rememberr it was always done that way when I was a child (many moons ago).
Annie

asmmauer

I use to work for So Fro fabrics years ago we always tore fabric that was 100% cotton because it would tear fabric on its grain line which is important. Now days because of cutting
if you try to put fabric on its true grain you will wind up
loosing a lot of fabric I put my fabric on grain if I am making clothes but with quilting you are usually making small
cuts for piecing .I will however put my long border strips on grain .Sometimes you have to stretch fabric a little bit by tugging on opposite corners to square it back up but it will be on grain.

Airwick156

I have never seen fabric torn like that. I go to a little "hen pecking little quilting group" every tuesday and all it is is a five or six of us getting together and working on anything we want or just sit an chat. But last tuesday, one of the ladies was helping me put the backing on a Fabric fling quilt and she ripped it to get a truer edge never saw that before she did it. :)

deema

I prefer it torn. I can't tell you how many times I've lost several inches of fabric because of a wonky cut.

Rebecca VLQ

"back in the day" I remember all fabric stores tore. That was when I was little though and went with my mom. Now,I've never had them tear.

I have found that I like to tear when I'm sectioning off fabric for dyeing and for when I am making binding. I can tear 2 yard lengths...something I could never cut straight with a rotary cutter that long.

craftybear

One of the quilt shops in my area tears the fabric and I was told it makes the fabric on the straight of grain

ckcowl

lots of shops tear the fabric...the tear runs along the grain-line insuring you get a straight piece of fabric. when it is only cut often you get shorted...one end could be off by a number of inches! so although you get a stringy edge at least it is straight. and you only have to trim less than 1/2" to get rid of the strings...when it's been cut you could have to cut off 6" to get it straight.

QuiltMania

I hate having my fabric torn. You always lose fabric on the end that is torn. I say if they want your money, they should cut if you request it.

hobbykat1955

If I'm paying, then they do it my way. I always have it cut because I've heard that it could also cause runs thru the fabric...