Pull or Don't Pull
01-21-2011, 07:57 AM
#32
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Royse City Texas
Posts: 2,870
I was just in a class the other day and the instructor said to do this for quilts too. Especially the sashing. Her example was that if you made a skirt and didn't cut it straight on the grain it would sag and have a wavy hem. It made sense to me. You do need more fabric to do it this way.
01-21-2011, 08:06 AM
#33
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: north east
Posts: 8,394
I always cut on the straight of grain when making clothes, but don't pay much attention to that when quilting. I'd rather have the print straight than the grain since the print is what people will see first.
01-21-2011, 10:20 AM
#35
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Canada
Posts: 3,459
Originally Posted by feline fanatic
I was taught a quick method to straighten grain. Simply pull on the bias of the fabric from one corner to the other. Do it both ways. Then when folding to cut you can see the "drape" if it was not cut straight. Then, with selvedges matched I move one cut end over until the fabric hangs straight when folded. This keeps my cut strips nice and straight with no dog legs. I was never taught the pull a thread method but it does sound like it could come in handy on some fabrics where you really need the straight of grain.
However, harder to do on a FQ. Don't you think? I usually eyeball it on
smaller pieces. And if my fabric is well starched it's usually not a problem.
01-21-2011, 10:42 AM
#36
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Caldwell, Idaho
Posts: 267
I picked up a big bag of fabric scraps at a thrift store for a pittance, some of the pieces were left over sewing scraps, with curves along the edge-maybe a sleeve cut out I pulled a thread to get a straight line to reference. I also learned that in home Ec, and do it on the rare occasion. Grain can be important, though not as important as in clothing sewing.
01-21-2011, 02:07 PM
#38
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,326
Originally Posted by davidwent
Dang! I took auto repair :lol:
David
David
And I was one of the first girls in my school to take shop!
Forget Home Ec, bring on the power tools!
01-21-2011, 03:04 PM
#39
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,272
I tear across for straight grain---MUCH faster! If you pull the fabric to straighten after pulling a thread as I was taught, it just goes back to wonky when you wash it---ruined a wall hanging I tried that with when my DD washed it.
01-21-2011, 03:10 PM
#40
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 15,639
I don't do that in general and for any mottled patterns, I find it doesn't matter by the time you cut the smaller bits. However, I do pay attention when I deal with a patterned fabric. It is nice to have the pattern not be wonky.
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