I have a quilt shop owner who tears wide backs...and I walked in and said I would buy if she cut and did not tear...she asked me why...I was taking it to a long armer...Another friend who was a long armer hate them...she said she would get a wrinkle...my shop owner s said when you cut and then wash it will be crooked...BUT if you tear both ends it will be straight....I looked at and she was absolutely correct...that wide back was just as straight as an arrow because it had been torn on both ends...I do not like tearing but will always do it for widebacks especially...but I cut all others