Last week I was in a really nice quilting store, loads of fabrics and things, plus they give dozens of classes. I had picked out a couple bolts of fabric I wanted and the lady proceeded to measure it for me. Then she started to tear the fabric. I told her to stop & I asked why she was tearing it & she said they never cut the fabric. My comment back to her was then I wanted an extra inch or two because when it is torn, the edge is pulled and puckered up, and I have to trim that off with scissors. She said she would not give me the extra inch of fabric, and if I wanted my fabric cut with scissors, I had to pay $1.00 to have it cut, that was their store policy. There was no sign posted anywhere around that this is what they do. When I asked her why I had to pay the extra $1.00 to have it cut, she said it was because it never cuts straight and it would not be an even yard cut for the next customer. I told her never miind, and did not buy the fabric. Have any of you run into this?

No, but I would not shop there again.

I'm surprised they were so unwilling to accommodate you. I can see why you wouldn't buy the fabric.

No, but I would rather have my fabric torn, at least it is on grain and the little wasted by distortion is less than you might get from bad cuts. I've had fabric cut and ended up losing several inches when I tried straightening it. When I learned sewing, I was taught to tear a inch strip across grain before trying to cut pattern pieces. ZI always do.

My mouth dropped!

I can't believe she would not cut it for you. Or give you just a bit more.
I have had fabric 'cut' both ways. When they tear it it does assure it is straight on the grain, but if they measure it correctly they can make sure it is straight for the next customer.

I have a customer who prefers hers to be torn, the rest we just cut, but we also give just a bit more as we know it will either be trimmed or shrink and if you need a full yard for a project and it isn't quite enough you are sunk.

I know MaryJo's in NC tears there fabrics and I have and no problems with it.

I don't mind torn fabric but prefer cut. If the LQS would not accommodate my request I would go elsewhere.

When I learned to smock I was told to tear the panel strip to get a straight grain to pleat. Tearing fabric used to be a common practice when you bought fabric. I think the practice went out when knits became popular.

I agree with you Carol. I prefer mine torn so I get the exact amount. Every time they cut, when I go to straighten I lose 1-3 inches. Generally, the fabric is not folded evenly on the bolt. So you have to even it up and then you will have to trim both bottom and top to get it right. When torn, you pull slightly on the bias and it straightens itself and then I do a minor trim, if necessary, of 1/4".

Tear mine any time. If it upset you that much, find another place to shop. But they should have done as you wanted. Poor customer service will not keep anyone in business for long. Sorry you didn't get what you wanted. Everyone's loss.

Julia...it didn't upset me that much that she tears her fabrics. It is her shop and they can do what they prefer. But, I think it was mainly her attitude. It wasn't "customer" related...it was "if you want it cut you have to pay me $1.00". I wish I owned that shop, it is beautiful. But I would have handled the explanation about not cutting the fabrics a little bit kinder to the customer. Oh well, maybe it was a bad day for her.

I appreciate the comments about preferring to have the fabric torn, not cut. That is very interesting and I can understand why it should be done that way. I guess some of us are "used" to JoAnn's, etc., that cut everything.