When you cut carefully into the selvedge of a fabric, and then yank the two edges apart, the fabric will tear straight across the grain of the fabric, breaking between two horizontal threads.

The problem is that fabrics are not always wrapped perfectly straight onto the bolt. If you have ever bought a plaid fabric, you may have noticed that the clerk cuts a single layer at a time, on the lines of the plaid, rather than cutting both layers at the same time. That's an illustration of this same issue. If you cut through both layers of the plaid fabric at the same time, it will look great on the top layer but the unseen bottom layer will probably be crooked.

Did this help?

No, we don't.... are you suggesting that we should be carrying this? (Always looking for suggestions...)

Yes! Thank you!

Well, I'm new here, from South Florida - I've been mostly lurking and learning --- but, for what it's worth I personally prefer having the fabric torn.

Put me on the "Torn" list. The fabric will tear straight, if the fold is or not.

ONLY MY BACKING ...When i buy large pieces .

I most definetly go for torn. It appears to me on the the backing fabrics to get a much staighter edge and so much less waste.

I prefer cut

I prefer torn. I've lost as much as a foot of fabric by it being cut rather than torn.

I'll jump on the torn ship!

I always thought there ws no real difference in muslin....until I purchased the moda 200 count muslin. I am told that the kona premium muslin has that great soft feel as well. I asked because the piece I bought was all my LQS had and nobody else around here carries it. I have 3 vintage tops I want to have quilted and want to use a premium quality unbleached muslin. I like to purchase from board members when I can and if the price and shipping is reasonable. You might have another suggestion for me.

Thanks for responding.

Jen

I prefer all my fabrics torn. I once bought a 1/2 yard of cut fabric and I wound up losing several inches just straightening it out. Ugh. Not happy. Don't even get me started on cut fat quarters.

I vote torn for large pieces of backing.

As far as tearing or cutting, I prefer cutting. No matter how fine a fabric, if you tear, it ravels a lot. Cutting not only cuts back on the ravels, it is easier for the sewer to work with. In addition, when tearing, the fabric stretches. So, always cut, unless its for a rag quilt and you are tearing small pieces, then the ravels really don't matter.

As a person who has been sewing for over 60 years, I prefer torn. I always tore fabric when sewing and it should not be any different for quilting. Some fabric does not "ripple" at the tear and for those that do, a quick iron will take care of it.

We've been told by more than a few fabric reps & companies that the only way to get 'straight'edges on the extra wides is to tear them. Seems getting them folded straight on grain on the bolt is like folding a fitted bottom sheet! Some of the well known quilt shop brands have had the regular width fabrics come in so badly wound on the bolt that I've taken it off & redone it!

Add my vote for TORN. I request it if given the option.

I have no idea about tearing. It sounds like a better way to go. It seems to me if the edges are wavey it wouldn't matter since the last inch(s) are cut off before binding anyway. What is the best way to tear the fabric?

Torn, I have tooo many times bought crooked cut backings and run short!

Torn

Personally, I would prefer all my fabric cut. Have experienced several times shortage of fabric due to the fabric being crooked and I just couldn't get it to fit. It was very upsetting and then I had to consider the price I
paid for the piece. Not Happy.

I would prefer the 6 inches because sometimes they are that far off. There is nothing like trying to figure out how to finish a King Sized backing that just isn't going to work

tearing works for me. It keeps it straight of grain better.
I am a longarmer and I always tear my backing if I provide for my customers. :)

I also like mine torn.

Torn wouldn't be a problem for me because it would be in the outer edge of the backing which I always keep my backing at least 4" wider than the top. It would most likely be cut off after quilting. Just my opinion.

Suzy

Definitely torn. I tear my borders and sashings too.

Two quilt shops I go to will only tear backing fabric and I prefer that.

I come from the old school of torn. You always have straight to start with.

Who knew?? Certainly not me!! Great information can always be had on QB!!

I agree with the tearing. That is the only way to be sure you are getting the correct amount of fabric that you want. Even on the normal 44" bolts, if they are not on the bolt correctly which many are not. That is why so many people are unhappy with their fabric once it has been cut. By the time it is squared up you loose a lot of material.

I like torn, and tear at home. I find that most shops cut.

I have not purchased a torn piece in many years. No shops around here tear, they are all cut. As for a preference, I don't have one.

Cut for me, thanks.

I like mine cut...always!

I prefer using recycled sheets for backing so that the tear vs cut question doesn't come up for me. I find beautiful Egyptian cotton sheets (like new) at my local Goodwill for $4-5 each and that works beautifully for me. I take it to my quilter and she does the rest. I'll have to ask her if she tears or cuts any excess.

Cut for me. I hate it when they try to tear my fabric. Distorts the threads.

Torn is fine. Sometimes when I tear fabric it does not tear straight. Is it me or the fabric.

Torn, definitely.

Happy Friday

I prefer to have my fabrics cut and not torn. Had some bad experiences with torn fabric.

Pam Buflo, NY

I like mine cut. I don't like all the thready ends that I have to cut
and then you lose a little.