Shemjo

They cut fabric around here, but I don't mind it being torn on the grain lind.

lalaland

I also tear my own fabric but my LQS always cuts it. If it's good material it does not get distorted, I won't tear it if the weave isn't tight. The reason I tear vs. cut is I'm usually dealing with a lot of yardage and it's just easier that way.

jaciqltznok

Tearing is better, and if you are washing your fabric when you get it home like you should, then you will have to remove the selvage edge before you wash and they make strings too!

I am old school textile industry and believe me, if you only knew how poorly the fabric is now made even at $12 a yard, you would beg them to rip to make sure you are getting it on grain!

The only exception to this is usually plaids and checks..but I have torn homespun plaid that were 100% on grain before!

Oh and on French sheers you always PULL a thread and then cut....but who uses those any more...

s for pre-washing...it is a MUST in today market place....do you know how many chemicals on that fabric just to get into this country...not to mention other dirt from assorted warehouses and transport boxes...I am by no means a germaphobe, but honestly, those chemicals are causing lots of issues with headaches, eye irritation, skin issues...it is best to be safe....

clem55

that's the way I was taught too. And if we were working on wool, we had to pull a thread across grain WOF to find the straight.. Normally after I tear, I go to the ironing board and press that edge flat, using a little steam. I've never experienced stretching. It always makes me upset after I tear, and then be able to see just how much material I was shorted by cutting. I'd prefer having it torn anyday.

Riversong

I have never had a place tear,but I do myself sometimes. I want mine cut when I buy it and thats what I would request.

jaciqltznok

I actually own a still working fabric gauge! It went in the old TG&Y that was here.

Sewsweet

I want mine cut, if thay give a little more than I was paying for, I may deal with the riping.
:shock: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

katei

I don't think I could bear my fabric being torn - oooh the sound of it!! :-o

Prism99

I won't go back to a store that rips the fabric. Ripping cross-grain damages the fabric fibers up to 2 inches in from the rip. The damage isn't necessarily visible to the naked eye, but shows up under a microscope. Also, I find that ripping often stretches and distorts the ripped edge.

Now, at home, I will sometimes rip a fabric along the lengthwise grainline for borders. That is not as hard on the fabric, I think, as ripping crossgrain.

Jingle

I have never had anyone tear my fabrics. I will some times tear my own, if I need to take a strip off of a very large piece.