Thank you ladies, it sounds like we're almost split down the middle as to tear or not to tear. Busy Lizzy

This was a topic that came up years ago.Everyone used to tear their fabric but I was informed that tearing fabric ment breaking the thread and you can't always tell if you have weaked it in other spots.I started only cutting my fabric from then on.When you cut fabric, it affects just that one spot but when you tear it you affect the fabric for a few inches in both directions. Most fabric shops only cut their fabric now days.Some fabric is not woven straight and that is why it is hard to find the grain.

The thing is, while I find that a little bit of fabric is skewed (less than 1/4"), when I tear, I know that it is on the straight-of-grain. Then there is no raveling. Often although fabric is "squared up," little pieces are constantly raveling - which annoys me to no end. So whatever I tear off, then trim, not only ensures that I my edge is definitely on the grain, I don't get any raveling.

I'm going to take some to school tomorrow and see what they look like under the microscope!

I agree.

If you cut and you try to pull a thread, good luck. It will take a while before you will be able to pull one thread the whole length. I don't think there is anyone out there that can rotary cut along a thread line. When you tear and straighten you can pull one thread the length of the fabric, making sure you have the straight grain of the fabric.

As far as the microscope goes, I think the thread is probably compromised some, but it is when you sew a seam too. Have you ever notice how fabri wears at the stitch or seam line on clothes. The needle doesn't always hit between the thread, sometimes it actually breaks the thread, it is just reinforced by the sewing thread.

I very seldom tear my fabric but do occasionally. Have not had any problem but to dumb to have thought it might cause a problem.

I would think it would be all about the quality of the fabric...looser weave would probably distort more than tighter, and higher thread count would mean better result with tearing. IMHO. (first time I used that abbreviation!!)

Way back when I was in Junior High we were taught that when you buy fabric always have the salesperson tear the fabric to get your moneys worth. Then you pull it cross corners to straighten the grain. But with some of the printed pieces I can see where they would be compromised by this. When doing borders I like to tear lengthwise to make sure the grain is straight and it is easier then cutting. Binding doesn't matter but when you tear crosswise it can be much harder to tear.

This is a sore subject for me. I am a professional machine quilter,when I am quilting up close to the quilt I see the difference in the fibers. I have worked in two quilt shops and we refuse to rip the fabric.

Please, please, please do NOT tear your fabric. Fabric is approaching $10/yard and you DO distort it. The grain will never be as straight as it was prior to tearing and you also lose critical fabric along each side of the tear. If you rotary cut it, you can use the fabric all the way to the cut!!!

When I buy expensive material, I pull a couple of threads so that
I can see where the grain line is, which sometimes shocks me at
how off-line some patterns can be. Squaring it up can lose a lot
more of material than I had planned on.