Eleanor Burns started out ripping fabric and I remember doing it also many years ago. Not too long ago, I wanted some very long borders without cutting them or piecing them so I ripped them. My husband helped me and I went really slow and it was okay. They were perfectly straight and even, but they did have loose threads. I cut the loose threads and ironed the edges and am very happy with what I ended up with. I remember learning in 7th grade home economics how to rip to get an even edge.