ripping yardage?
05-25-2011, 08:12 AM
#71
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
Originally Posted by adorabowe
At lincraft (the large craft store in Australia) they always rip my fabric, and ALWAYS get it wrong by 1-5 inches. I guess because all the part-time workers are teenagers who know nothing about fabric and are just working there by chance. I always base it that if I'm going for the cheaper (like 50% cheaper) fabric from lincraft I use it in-unimportant projects, and keep the quality LQS stuff for when I'm putting a lot of effort in.
I wouldn't mind them ripping if they could just get it right or add extra but oh well
I wouldn't mind them ripping if they could just get it right or add extra but oh well
05-25-2011, 09:09 AM
#72
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MO
Posts: 297
Originally Posted by Maggiesmom
Have you ever bought a yard of fabric that had been cut for you and taken it home only to find it to be terribly crooked? Snip it, tear it and you will find that you really don't have a yard of fabric. I don't know how many half yards I have had cut that end up maybe only 15-16 full inches wide across the 42+ inches. My mother was a terrific seamstress. She always tore her fabric to get it straight before she cut out a pattern. That's what they did in the "olden" days.
05-26-2011, 10:05 AM
#76
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 1,371
The best alternative - pulling a thread to get the straight of grain. Doesn't stretch the edges and you still get the straight of grain. And yes.... there ARE some of us who DO still care about of straight of grain ... especially on long pieces like borders.
Here is a link to my tutorial on how to pull a thread.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-114232-1.htm
Here is a link to my tutorial on how to pull a thread.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-114232-1.htm
05-26-2011, 10:14 AM
#77
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 862
My Mom also said that back in the old days they ripped the fabric. However, they gave you 4-6 inches OVER your measurement to account for the damaged edges since they have to be cut away. When I go on vacation and visit quilt shops, if they tear fabric, I don't buy any fabric. I've had fabric ruined because of pulled threads a full foot into the fabric pattern. Not worth my time. I have vision damage and can see the grain of the fabric on all but the darkest pieces.
05-26-2011, 06:41 PM
#79
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Nowata, OK
Posts: 113
I remember when it was always torn and the longarm quilter that set up my longarm, she tore the fabric and said she always tears her fabric and she has been longarm quilting for years and also makes custom ordered quilts. So I have gone back to tearing my fabric for borders, etc., too and I get a straight grain and consistent width every time.
Windsong
Windsong
05-26-2011, 10:44 PM
#80
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: S. W. Indiana
Posts: 7,484
Originally Posted by CorgiNole
I made the mistake of tearing flannel for one project. That made it much much worse - lost a lot of inches too. So I'll stick to just tearing cottons.
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