Do you tear your fabric to put in on grain?
07-05-2011, 08:58 AM
#31
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Thumb of Michigan
Posts: 421
If I want a good straight of grain, I rip. For instance, I also make banners for my church and forgot to rip the backing fabric one time. Well, that banner has wavy edges because it was not made on a true straight of grain. Drives me crazy every time it hangs in church, too. I've tried pressing, ironing, starching, etc. But a long "off grain" piece of fabric will just be wavy.
07-05-2011, 09:02 AM
#32
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Nebraska..The Good Life
Posts: 2,102
Originally Posted by mshollysd
The way I learned in Homeec is to pull a thread across the grain, and cut along this thread. This gives you a true edge. Then when you place the fabric down smooth (selvedges together) if that edge is not lined up (the selveges) on the end, you need to stretch the fabric on the bias all the way down until it is straight. This way there is no distortion. Now since I have been making quilts and my pieces are so small, not a problem, however if you are making borders, can be a problem if the weave is off.
07-05-2011, 02:36 PM
#33
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Yankton South Dakota
Posts: 564
I loved Home Ec but hated having to rip out my seams. That Home Ec teacher was the sewing police, or Nazi whichever. Her name was Miss Klinesausser and I still remember her even though I am almost 56 now. LOL
07-06-2011, 03:23 AM
#36
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,098
I have ripped fabric but before I do rip it I cut a small slit that fallows the grain of the fabric. You can also pull a few threads across the fabric and that will square it up perfect then cut it across.
07-06-2011, 03:46 AM
#37
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Emmitsburg, MD
Posts: 1,599
I'm a ripper. I clean up any strings on the ripped edge with a rotary cutter, but I've honestly never, ever had a problem with the fabric "warping" or being damaged by a clean rip.
I don't have the patience for the thread-pulling method. LOL
I don't have the patience for the thread-pulling method. LOL
07-06-2011, 03:55 AM
#38
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 3,514
I only insist on absolute straight of grain if I am using large pieces, and then use the 'pulled thread method'. Because many modern fabrics are more loosely woven, you can ruin at least an inch of fabric next to the rip. I insist that my fabric is cut instead of ripped when purchasing it too. I am just finishing a top where the sashing is perfectly on grain and am having a terrible time with it fraying out.
07-06-2011, 04:06 AM
#39
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NW Chicago Suburb
Posts: 379
My aunt was a great seamstress - made all her own clothes and those for her daughters. She taught me to pull a thread across the width of the fabric, cut on that line and then use that as a "true" edge of the fabric. Her clothes were always beautiful - they hung so perfectly.
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