Knowing that the grain is straight tends to make up for any rippling caused by tearing. Makes it easier to tell how much you need to do the muscle-building stretch to get it back on grain ;)

I used to like it cut.......BUT last year the quilt shop started to tear it. And I discovered it was straighter done that way...so TORN....

Torn at the store. It doesn't seem to matter that much about the brand, I think that all of them at one time or other are put on rolls unevenly.
I've bought sheets at a thrift store, in very good condition, and torn them mainly to get rid of the seams. On some of these, name brands, one edge left on the seams can be up to TWO inches more than the other end of the same seam. I'm talking bottom small seam, and top big seam. The side seams are more accurate in the way they tear, mostly even from top to bottom.

I tear as long as it is straight. I noticed some issues lately.

Torn then i know it starts out straight. Giving extra inches does not always work because one will not know how uneven it is and is able to give enough. I got some from a shop and they did give extra but when I evened it up I was still short.

I would rather have it torn.

Oh the backing issue! Well, I have had a horrible time with a backing situation lately, thought I had it figured out, but then the LQS sent a "fix" and it was wrong (not the same fabric).

So today, I went out and purchased something (not what I had my heart set on), so am very disappointed.

If tearing will even the fabric, then torn would be my answer (not because I would get "X" number of inches free), but whatever makes the fabric what I need/ordered and paid for would really be great.

I am completely wiped out dealing with backing issues this week so sorry if my post is more like venting, but I just want to have what I chose for backing to be right when I get it home and am ready to assemble my quilt.

I like to tear my fabric, especially for strips etc. It is the only way I can get it straight. In order to get perfect cuts I have to prewash and starch the fabric and then use my accuquilt to insure perfect straight of grain.

I generally prefer torn...it gives you a straight grain...but it does weaken the threads near the tear.

I'm old. I tear.