Is this common ?
#131
Just reading some of the other quilters' contributions, I have noticed too that my LQS's do tear the wide fabric for backing. I have never asked for it to be cut, thinking there's probably a reason why they tear it, and I've never had a problem with my wide backing as a result.
#132
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1
Tearing fabric is not commonly done now days since the fabric making/weaving process has become much more refined and quality fabrics usually have a pretty straight grain.
You only tear 100% cotton, some silks and some velvets as it will give you the true grain of the fabric. That makes it easier to square up your yardage for anything you are making. A distorted grain can ruin all your hard work in making the perfect item be it a quilt, bag, dress or potholder. If you are buying fabric of questionable quality, ask the clerk to rip it--if it doesn't tear, it isn't 100% cotton that means you may not be able to straighten the grain if it's crooked. If you really love it (the fabric), you may need to change your plans for it.
You only tear 100% cotton, some silks and some velvets as it will give you the true grain of the fabric. That makes it easier to square up your yardage for anything you are making. A distorted grain can ruin all your hard work in making the perfect item be it a quilt, bag, dress or potholder. If you are buying fabric of questionable quality, ask the clerk to rip it--if it doesn't tear, it isn't 100% cotton that means you may not be able to straighten the grain if it's crooked. If you really love it (the fabric), you may need to change your plans for it.
#133
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Trinity,NC
Posts: 14
I have seen fabric both cut and torn. Tearing is suppose to give it a true straight cut. The local quilt shops around here are very precise when they cut using a ruler with lip to get a straight cut. One store even had a slit in their cutting table to use a guide. I prefer a cut edge because when I wash and its already ragged it tends to get more so
#134
I have found that when they tear the fabric, you lose a couple of inches from the horizontal threads "pulling" as they rip. I always ask them to cut and have never had a sales rep refuse. Sometimes you lose a couple of inches as the fabric isn't cut "on grain", so either way I always buy extra. :)
#135
Originally Posted by Quilter7x
Some people prefer to rip/tear their fabric instead of cutting it. Would it be too demanding for you to ask them to cut rather than rip/tear? I don't think so. I also don't like the frayed edges it leaves, nor do I want to be buying fabric that might have been distorted by this method of "cutting". I'll be interested to see other people's replies.
#137
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Oceanside, CA
Posts: 847
When I took home economics in high school we were taught that tearing gives a true grain to the fabric edge. Don't know if that's actually true or not. But, I have always done it that way. I just trim off the raveled edges.I only do this on cotton or cotton blends.
Frankie
Frankie
#139
Originally Posted by bj
Some shops tear, most cut. With tearing you do get a truer straight grain across the end. Most of the time, when I get home with "cut" fabric, I lose some on the end from having to square it up. So I'm not sure, in the long run, if it matters whether you lose it from "squaring" or from "neatening" the end.
#140
Originally Posted by JulieM
My LQS tears the extra wide backing material, they cut the rest.
I have had the LQS, Joann's and Hancocks all cut fabric so far off that I had to cut off more than four inches to square up my fabric. I don't care what they do really, as long as I do not have wasted fabric.
JulieM
I have had the LQS, Joann's and Hancocks all cut fabric so far off that I had to cut off more than four inches to square up my fabric. I don't care what they do really, as long as I do not have wasted fabric.
JulieM
I have never had my fabric ripped, always cut with a rotary cutter.
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