I always tear to get a straight grain. My fabric store doesn"t tear, and there have been many times that I have lost as much as four inches , if I reven both cut rends, but I seem to always lose as much as 1 1/2 to 2 inches. The little distortion at the tear can normally be corrected by dampening and ironing. I"d rather waste that 1/4 inch than 2 inches! I always pre-wash also. And yes, I remember those days and the meters well!