Years ago most fabric stores tore fabric. They ran it through the little measuring machine that made a little snip in the fabric and tore. I still tear my long pieces such as borders. Or if I have large yardage its much easier to measure, snip, tear then it is to try and futz around with cutting it. At least I know for sure I have a straight edge most of the time . But for someone who grew up with everyone cutting to the barest 1/100th of an inch I guess tearing would be scary..
