Bjbaxter

I do remember ripping, hadn't done it in years. Made a quilt top recently and the instructions from Moda, using a Moda stripe was to clip and rip to keep it on the straight of grain. I had never come across that in quilting before.

cabinfever

I usually snip & rip my first edge on multiple yards of fabric, then reroll it straight on a "board". The end of the bolt that's out first then has been straightened for cutting. I have gotten a lot of terrible cuts, with up to 5" off (typically 2"+)...thankfully I usually don't buy less then 3 yards, so I only lose it the one time. I think some of the move to cutting @ yard goods stores was due to so many non-wovens entering the scene in the 70's (polyester-regular, then fleece, all kinds of synthetics) that couldn't be ripped.

chuckbere15

I only do that for long pieces, and when I do that I do 1/2 inch seam. Otherwise you are sure to get some fraying when you wash it, never fails. Or do a zigzag on the edges.

Julieintheburg

Ndgirl- you didnt really get off topic...after all, life is pretty much like that! I love the smell of freshly ground coffee too, but I like to drink it as well...YUM! Nothing like a cup of freshly ground and brewed coffee next to my sewing machine when I'm assembly piecing a quilt (I gave up the chocolate after I lost 75 pounds- I really miss it! the chocolate, not the poundage) Love the old things that bring the old memories...that's good stuff!

luce321

I also remember the "nip and rip" method. Had almost forgotten about that machine. I remember when my Mom would take me shopping with her and she would go to the fabric department in Sears Roebuck. I remember saying "Mama, let's go". I wasn't at all interested in fabrics. How things have changed. Many years later I did the same thing with my girls and they too would become impatient waiting for me. Only one out of the three girls sews today.

materialworld

Quilt In a Day in San Marcos, CA, also tears the fabric. It made me wince since I had never seen this done before. But, the fabric is fine - no problems.

cabinfever

Lovely story, enjoyed hearing about it. You know, your antiquity is probably becoming more valuable, as many like to see & touch things that were made back when...things were made to last! I do! I would love to get one of those old "measuring devices" for the fabric, do you know what they were called?

sheepla

I was going to say the same thing.

lauriequilts

One of our local quilt shops still rips all the fabrics. I actually like when they do that.

Greenheron

Some of our stores had a meter. When I was nose-high to the counter I adored watching the saleslady measure and cut. I believe the machine had a little built-in clipper. The clipped spot was put squarely over a slot built into the cutting table that guided the lower blade of the scissors. I have no memory of cloth being ripped in any of the department stores.

I do remember being a 'tween' and a saleslady patiently and kindly cutting eighth of a yard pieces I selected to make Barbie clothes for my little sister. I can still see the gorgeous white brocade I selected for evening wear and the tiny print for pajamas. She measured and cut as carefully and as courteously as if I were a major customer.