Quiltingboard Forums - Backing fabrics... which is better? Cut or torn?

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torn as long as it's torn at both ends. that is the only way to guarantee that it is square if you can get my meaning.

Torn always my choose.

When I worked at a quilt shop, we always tore backing. I pefer it that way especially after seeing the first tearing.

I feel like tearing stresses the fabric more than cutting so would not chose it. It seems to warp it to me. I'm new to this so I'll be reading others' posts to learn more.

I like to tear my backings. That way, I have at least a chance of getting it straight.

I would say torn because backing fabric is sometime a little off. I prewash my backing before I square up but I think every quilter has their own way of dealing with wonky fabric.

List me in the cut column. :-D

I prefer torn because once I get fabric home, I tear top and bottom, then wash, dry and iron with starch and this will usually straighten out any warping issues, but it cannot fix any printing issues, especially VIP and Cranston prints. Some are so beautiful, but very crooked!

If you do the tearing, then I don't have to lose some of my fabric.

Diane

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljgraham

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

One hundred percent cotton will tear straight, so your issue might be that it is a blend.

here in the uk I think the majority of shops always cut - I went to one once where they tore it and it was just to painful to watch so I never went back!!!!

Tearing is fine with me.

I am also in the tear group...just believe it make the fabric more true to the grain.

I would rather have it cut

torn fabric also weakens the fabric around it, so whether or not i'm paying for it i prefer cut. considering the price per yard these days, an extra few inches doesn't make that big a difference in my total price.

btw, as you said, they all tear crooked anyway, and most stores wont give you extra inches for free, sometimes as many as 6, to compensate for that crookedness. 3 " on one end and 3" on the other adds up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Favorite Fabrics

Another thread on the forum has me wondering how most people prefer their backing fabric purchases to be handled.

We cut - not tear - our fabrics.

But... if a fabric is wrapped crookedly on the bolt, that creates a problem. And backing fabrics are folded not once, but twice, which magnifies any wrapping issues.

We once carried the inexpensive backing fabrics, and those were wrapped so crookedly that we swore we would NEVER carry them again. We would had to give an extra FOOT on every cut, to be sure that the customer was not going to come up short. (And yes, we actually did give the extra foot, for free.) And I'm very glad that those backings are all gone now. Good riddance!

Every shop does need to have some backings, though, and we chose to try again with a nice group from Wilmington. http://www.favoritefabric.com/cgi/co...t_backing.html

I did a test-tear on one of the bolts to check the grain, and it is still off, though not by as much.

So I'm putting it out to the forum, to ask what would you prefer? That we tear the fabric, giving an extra 3" on the cut to allow for the warped and wavy edges... or that we cut the fabric, giving an extra 6" to allow for the crooked wrap?

Please don't base your answer on "Gee, do I want 3 inches for free or 6 inches for free?" ... that's not the point. The question at the heart of this is, in order to receive the amount of fabric that you need and are paying for, straight and not warped, are you happier/more comfortable with tearing, or cutting, given that this is a backing fabric?

I know I can always count on the Quilting Board members for thoughful answers... so please let me know what your opinion is.

Cut mine for sure :!:

I have never had a problem either way.But I tear my fabric at home.Most of the shops I go to cut it,but will tear it if you ask them.
Happy Quilting
Lady Di

I prefer cut. In my opinion,when fabric is torn it distorts the fabric and I have to cut quite a bit off to get it straight. I think fabric shops should give customers an option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by South MS Quilter

I prefer cut. In my opinion,when fabric is torn it distorts the fabric and I have to cut quite a bit off to get it straight. I think fabric shops should give customers an option.

A shop has to choose one way or the other, and then stick to it. Considering the backing we just received - which coming from the manufacturer had a cut end - I tore one of the bolts, just to see how off it was (or wasn't). I started 2" in from the edge, beginning at what looked to be the short side. The strip that came of varied from 2" to 6.5" wide. Subtracting the two numbers we get 1/8 yard of waste.

Now if I tear the next cut, the customer will get a square, on-grain piece. However... if instead I cut the next piece, I will have to throw in an extra 1/8 yard. And then if the customer after that wants their piece torn, I will be throwing in another 1/8 yard.

You can see how quickly this loss can add up for a shop! That's why a shop has to choose which way to go. And that's why I posted the question here, to see if there was any consensus as to whether cutting or tearing is the preferred method, for backings.

Torn, I like it straight.

Torn..I am old fashioned...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tink's Mom

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

I am so glad you said that!! ;)