Cut or rip?
#12
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
there are a number of shops in different locales that will only rip the fabric- regardless of what you may prefer. others will only cut with scissors---then theirs some that will use a rotory cutter- it all depends on how the owner was originally taught- but you will find all 3 methods common
it does no good to get upset over a shop using one method over another-
i've certainly had horrible rotory cutter cuts---where i had to trim up to 4" to straighten up my fabric- so having to trim 1/4"-1/2" on a piece of ripped fabric is much preferred to me- i've also lost 2-3" on raggy scissor cuts from some pretty expensive shops---it all depends- i usually either ask-or look around the cutting table to see if they have a cutter or scissors laying out- so i know to ask for extra to make up for the uneven cuts- if it's torn i do not usually need to purchase extra- the fabric is straight...even if the edge needs to be trimmed.
it does no good to get upset over a shop using one method over another-
i've certainly had horrible rotory cutter cuts---where i had to trim up to 4" to straighten up my fabric- so having to trim 1/4"-1/2" on a piece of ripped fabric is much preferred to me- i've also lost 2-3" on raggy scissor cuts from some pretty expensive shops---it all depends- i usually either ask-or look around the cutting table to see if they have a cutter or scissors laying out- so i know to ask for extra to make up for the uneven cuts- if it's torn i do not usually need to purchase extra- the fabric is straight...even if the edge needs to be trimmed.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lived in San Diego now retired in Eagar, AZ.
Posts: 887
i do not trim my torn fabrics, that bruised edge goes into the seam... if you rip it fast, it's fine. and i do rip everything that i put aside for borders... (i rip borders off in 2, 4 and 6 inch widths and store that way because that way i'm not cutting away the length with piecing strips. but when going across, it depends on what i'm gonna do with it... so i do both.. from one end, i rip each strip i need for my strip piecing... but cutting template shapes and making magic squares for HSTs, i do it from the other end, because a small triangle or square cut on the double layer method does not go across the fabric so there is no real reason for them to be PERFECTLY straight, square from the selvedge and fold lines is good enough... i just fold my fabric from the ripped end (because i know that is straight) and then next time i use the end that is correct for that day's method...
#16
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,539
I hate it when they rip fabric! I always have to retrim the edge because it stretches the weave. I also read a story where a shop owner possibly developed lung problems from the chemicals and fiber particles that she breathed in due to fabric tearing.
#17
I haven't given it much thought, most places I go to cut with scissors and do a pretty respectable job. I am sure my own crapping cutting and fumbling has lost me more inches than any wonky fabrics, cut or torn. ;D
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: So Plymouth, NY
Posts: 2,502
I've forgotten that they used to rip the fabric, it has been so many decades since I've seen it done. My thoughts are, with such excellant scissors and rotary cutters, I question to the need/desire to rip.
#20
i went to a shop once where they tore the fabric, i asked the woman to cut it for me, but she tore it anyway.
was shocked to see that, you lose at least an inch of fabric on both sides if its torn, not to mention the occasional
thread that pulls. too bad that shop went out of business, but this isnt the 1900's where you have to rip the fabric
to get a straight line.
katz
was shocked to see that, you lose at least an inch of fabric on both sides if its torn, not to mention the occasional
thread that pulls. too bad that shop went out of business, but this isnt the 1900's where you have to rip the fabric
to get a straight line.
katz
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