Years ago this was a common practice, but now you don't see this too often. I am with you...I want my fabric cut, not torn.

When I lived in Denver, one of the quilt shops I shopped at always wanted to tear the fabric. I asked them nicely to cut my fabric. The saleswoman tried to convince me that I would be able to see the grain line if she tore it, but I still asked her to cut the fabric.

Some may disagree with me, but I think tearing the fabric puts undue stress of the fibers, and you can lose and inch or two in length.

I insist it be torn so that I start with a true straight grain. Most LQS allow a little extra for that reason. When its cut and I get it home and true cut it I lose 1/2 to 3/4" if I am using it for wof cuts.

They are doing this to get the fabric on the grain, and most of the time it doesn't distort the fabric (unless it's low quality fabric to begin with. However, if you don't want it ripped, they really should cut it for you. After all, you are the customer!

I've never seen that done. I would not like it either!

My LQS tears the extra wide backing material, they cut the rest.

I have had the LQS, Joann's and Hancocks all cut fabric so far off that I had to cut off more than four inches to square up my fabric. I don't care what they do really, as long as I do not have wasted fabric.
JulieM

Mary Jos rips their fabric - everywhere else I have been cuts . I prefer cutting to ripping - don't like the sound of it tearing

Many years ago I worked for JoAnns, the only fabric we tore was the fur or satin, everything else we cut, I never heard of tearing anything else. Hope this helps but I would tell them to cut not tear.
Happy New Year

I tore fabric to use as a border and ended up ripping it off the quilt. When one side is sewed on-----the outer edge is too full due to stretching the fabric when you tear it. I was told by a lady with a long-arm who professionally quilts for other people that this was the way to get a straight grain. I have never torn fabric again. I don't even know if that border will ever be usable. I would request your fabric to be cut. It might be cut uneven but it will not distort the fabric.

There is a woman on you tube, I hope I'm right "Designs by Diane". Shhe has several tutorials, she tears her fabric before each project saying it will rear along the grain.
David

The only fabric that is torn around here are the extra wide widths, like 120" muslin.