Ha-ha-ha! I have no idea why anyone would go to the trouble of pulling threads. I do unfold fabric, press, align selvedges, and then re-press any fabric that is not flat at the fold when purchased. I also don't buy fabric that is obviously twisted or stretched. I do use a 24" ruler to cut ends straight. Then I cut my pieces. When working with scraps ( as I do VERY frequently), close enough is close enough. I do not prewash, I do not starch. Guess what? No problems. Perfect straight of grain is a myth in my book anyway.

I have a long 24" clear ruler that's 5" wide and has a lip that hooks at the edge of my cutting mat so i know i'm always keeping my cuts straight as long as I've lined up the fabric on the selvage. I was looking for one for a friend who's new to quilting and I couldn't find another. :( That said, I'm not the worlds most precise quilter as I think this is something that's my stress reliever, it's not supposed to add stress, so I don't freak if something isn't perfect. These are homeade, works of art, they're not supposed to look like a machine made them. (just my opinion)

I prewash, press even up ends and then using grid mat, I cut carefully on ruler edge with SHARP rotary blade. I also have the grace ruler with the edge that the cutter rolls along w3hichI use sometimes, but most of the time its just me and the olfa mat and cutter.

Altos Quilt Cut 2 allows you to cut accurate strips very quickly. Also we use Tru Cut electric blade sharpener on our rotary blades. Cutting with a sharp blade is more accurate.

Thank you Prism99, I just purchased the June Tailor Shape Cut Plus from Amazon. At $25 it is free shipping and cheaper than JoAnn's on sale but only online and a shipping charge. I look forward to using it. I find I have to be careful cutting strips as I tend to go off to the right unless I cut from top to bottom which apparently is not the way to cut with the rotary cutter but it works for me.

I just bought a June Tailor Shape Cut from Walmart.com for 17.97 plus tax and had it shipped to the nearest store. There is a 0.97 shipping charge if sent to your home.