Originally Posted by kkranig

So, I am very new to quilting. I have made hot pads and paper pieced some log cabin coasters. I am working out of a new book called Quilter's Academy. It is actually a series of 5 books the teach you about piecing quilt tops. (There is a separate book for the quilting part). The instructions tell you before you start that you are to tear a 2 1/2 inch strip from each edge of your fabric (That's 5 inches) to realign the fabric and then iron and starch to create a new center fold. I had never heard of this before. I feel like I am wasting fabric when I do this. Does anyone ever do this and is it necessary? Thanks in advance!!