grammamo

I would prefer that the store/seller tear my fabrics...recently bought 119 inch wide backing...added 1/3 of a yard for squaring...BIG problem...when I tore it to square, I lost over half a yard...the fabric was folded so crooked, that I lost 9 inches on one side and almost 12 on the other....which meant not enough for the back of my quilt....NOT happy...it's not as bad wne the fabric is 40-44 inches wide...but when you get to wider widths...it can make a huge difference. FYI...I took it back (LQS) and they had enough that they tore what I needed...(they tore the first edge to square it up....and the difference between the selvages was over 9 inches...

mojo11

I rip my borders to make sure they are straight of grain and even.

Lady Diana

I had a new employee at Joann's about to cut a panel, shaving off about 4-5 inches. I asked her to open the fabric up and cut on the border edge of the panel. She refused.....she started to cut, I yelled Stop! get your manager. The girl kept telling me that she was instructed to cut exactly on the inch mark, straight across. I explained by showing her that if she cut, she would ruin the panel. She said it didn't matter, she was doing what she was told. I said, if you cut it, you keep it and you will have to throw in away. Now, can you ask a manager to come over? while waiting for the manager, I asked her if she sewed.....that was a big fat "No, never". I just said, that explains it. The manager cut my panel. unbelievable ! I guess I could have asked her to tear it and would have been sort of OK.

kristakz

When I worked at a quilt store I noticed that the wide backs were actually marked by the manufacturer with the recommendation to rip, rather than cut - for this exact reason. Not that the store did that, but at least the manufacturer understands the issue.

We have one store in town who rips and refuses to do anything else. When I bought a black fabric from them and saw the white specs that showed up after ripping, a good 2" into the fabric, it became clear how damaging that technique is (What I was seeing is threads that twisted, so the undyed backside was showing on top). I shop there very seldom now, and always buy extra for trimming if I have to purchase there.

quiltybarb

This is an interesting subject to me.....I usually cut all my fabrics, but yesterday I had a 3 yds to use for backing a smaller quilt. I did end up tearing it and I felt so guilty....lol

joe'smom

My LQS (now closed) used to rip, but I don't think I've ever received ripped fabric from an on-line vendor.

onemoe

if the fabric is a new bolt, as the fabric is wound on the card, the shift in fabric is greater than at the beginning. check the fold of the fabric as it unwound, and have the cutter straightened it if neccessary

aquilter2

I always rip the fabric lengthwise for borders if not directional. It rips very easy and on grain the whole way. Just a small clip of the fabric and rip.I over size the strip, press and fold it and trim off the damaged edges to size. I feel I get a quilt that hangs better when done. No wavy edges. Straight of grain does not stretch so more stable. I prewash my fabric too.

sewhat540

AstyOne I like the quilt you are showing, please post again if you can.

cindyb

I rip mine whenever I can. I wish fabric stores still did. I remember that little machine they would slide the fabric through until the correct measurement, then punch it down like a stapler, then rip it. I was always sure that then didn't give me a crooked piece of fabric.