Originally Posted by annesthreads
Can I have your comments on what a friend has said to me today? I was telling her how pleased I was with the advice I received here about tearing fabric, as it solved my problem so easily - and she said she was told not to tear because it warps the fabric and because (I think) the pattern is often not directly lined up with the grain of the fabric, so it won't tear exactly along the line of the pattern (but surely that would affect cutting too, as it would mean the pattern wasn't straight on the fabric? I don't really see what she means there).
The tear v. cut debate is a giant can of worms. There are diehard believers on both sides. It's what you prefer.
Fans of cutting prefer not to have to worry about the fabric ends "warping", which can happen with an inexperienced ripper or lower quality fabric.
Fans of ripping prefer accuracy, and are prepared to accept having to trim a few strings sometimes.
Ensuring the print is straight is a separate process, but you'll know for sure if it's wonky as soon as you or the sales person rips it.