I always buy at least 1/8 to 1/4 yard extra cut then I bring it home and rip it to get the absolute straight of grain. I would rather lose 1/2 inch (1/4" each end) trimming after being ripped than sometimes about 1/4 yd. when it is cut and most people, even in quilt shops cannot cut a straight line without a ruler. However, in all of my local quilt shops, they do use a ruler when cutting.

I have most always lost more than half an inch of fabric on ANY piece I have purchased when they cut it because it seems like when meeting the salvages after prewashing, there is that 'buckle' in the fold, which usually means it's not even, so end up sometimes losing an INCH and a half. None of our LQS tear the fabric and rather than 'ruffle their feathers' by asking to tear, I most usually buy more fabric than I need anyway (gotta have that stash!). We all have our own ways of doing things to make life interesting.

I do like it ripped. The loss from distortion is minimal compared to some that has been cut so off grain I loose more inches than if they had just ripped it.

I like extra wide backings torn because I know then I will get the yardage I asked for. I have lost as much as 1/4 yard when they cut the but I like to have 45" fabric cut with rotary cutter or even scissors. since we all straighten with a rotary cutter, even when Ii prewash, I don't lose as much fabric. There is only one shop I have been to that tears and when i asked her to please cut the answer was "We don't do that" When I pointed out haw badly the threads along the edge had been pulled and how much I was losing she said I should just by extra fabric to compensate. I never went back to that store.

tearing fabric flips me out. I do not like it----at all. When we were little, I remember mom ripping old shirts and towels for wash rags but I had never seen new fabric torn until I was an adult. If someone tore my fabric that I was buying, I'd turn around and walk away without purchasing anything.

I HATE it!

Nuh uh. Don't rip mine. Cut it please. I know all about straight grain, etc., but want mine cut, thanks!

I prefer to have my material cut. I find that when it is ripped it might be straight on the grain but you lose so much fabric. I also find that Quilt Stores that rip their fabric are very linty and dusty.

luckily no one has torn my fabric yet. better not either!!!

My LQS rips. Most other places cut. I always straighten my fabric after I wash it, so I don't think I have preference one way or the other.