I have a wonderful place in town where I buy a lot of my fabric. However the lady who owns and operates it has begun to tear the fabric instead of cutting it. As most of you know it seldom tears straight and you sometimes lose a lot of your fabric. How do I go about telling her I would rather her cut it. She has become a good friend and I don't want to hurt her feelings.

Any suggestions?

Sorry but I like to tear it is straight on grain when you do I hope she give you a couple inches leeway.

Don't be shy. Just tell her you would like her to cut it. You are making the purchase and I am sure she will not be offended by your choices.

i would rather it be torn. after being washed, cut one end up wonky, the torn ones will be straighter

agree, don't be shy.. ask for cut fabric.. however.. the tearing is with the grain of the fabric.. if you watch fabric, fashion shows.. they do both..

this has been around a few times.. both ways of throught. lots of "local quilt fabric" stores will only tear.

Odd to me .. it was like a 60's flash back for me last time I had that happen.

:)
ell

I have a quilt shop owner who tears wide backs...and I walked in and said I would buy if she cut and did not tear...she asked me why...I was taking it to a long armer...Another friend who was a long armer hate them...she said she would get a wrinkle...my shop owner s said when you cut and then wash it will be crooked...BUT if you tear both ends it will be straight....I looked at and she was absolutely correct...that wide back was just as straight as an arrow because it had been torn on both ends...I do not like tearing but will always do it for widebacks especially...but I cut all others

I tear for my backs.

I agree and you will probably be speaking for many others as well.

If you tear the fabric, there is no way it will be crooked, but as stated above, you have to tear both ends. The fabric will only tear on the straight of grain. If you want it cut, though, you should speak up and tell them. You are the customer - and you are always right!

Even if they cut it at the store, when I get home, the first thing I do is tear it to make sure it is straight! Of course, I always buy a quarter yard extra just in case I have miscalculated.

"Would it be possible to cut my fabric? I would really appreciate it!"

I just made 2 crotched rag rugs out of old sheets and i tore all fabrics. they were all srraight and saved my hands too.

I was struggling with folding and cutting a large piece of fabric and asked for help here. The advice was to tear and I've never looked back! My spatial skills are poor and I could never figure how to fold and cut. But as regards buying fabric: you're the customer, it's your choice.

I have never torn my fabric - the first time I saw it done I got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach - I may have to rethink especially for backing!!!

I would just ask her politely if you could have yours cut - I dont think it would hurt her feelings any if she is any kind of friend - she may let you know the advantages of both ways. you may learn something to share with the rest of us "cutters"

I agree with a previous poster, simply state "I'll purchase this if you cut it." Why? "I prefer it cut. Thank you."

After a while, she'll know you prefer it cut. It will be known if you do it enough.

tearing always runs along a grain line- so straight- if it leaves an unstraight edge that's because it was not straight- if you had bought it= cut- and took it home-pre=washed you would be here complaining about the wonky piece of fabric they cut you- now that it's been torn on grain it will be straight after you wash it-and it's easy enough to (clean up) the torn edge

I prefer torn as it will tear along grain

I agree with tearing - always straight edges. Now if the manufacturer prints crooked...that's a different story. But if you tear both sides your fabric will be perfectly straight. But if cutting is your preference I would think the shop owner should be accommodating.

I have to agree with all the tearers. In stores like Joanns you can loose quite a bit of fabric because it is not cut on the grain. Another way to start off evenly is to fold the fabric in half lengthwise, hold salvage ends and work it up and down until the fold on the bottom lies perfectly straight. Then lay it down exactly as is and cut both top and bottom as one. Use your salvage as your guide. Is that about as clear as mud?
Does anyone else use this method?

I have to agree with you...

Yes I always use this method to true up the piece before cutting. If it is really off kilter I will tear the ends to get back to straight. It is amazing how many pieces are cut off kilter even though they look straight!

I always tear my backs to save time and my hands and back!

I don't think she would be offended if you ask her to cut instead of tear your fabric. It's your preference and if it is not straight it's your problem not hers. After all, the customer is ALWAYS right.
Sue