I understood your question, but have no answer. I am afraid to tear borders because there is not enough width, and the possible stretch factor, although I do tear my backings for easy squaring. Good luck!

I tear my border strips longer and cut the curve ends off. I had a physic major explain it as the end of the threads had no place to exert the tearing energy created so they curved. ??? Just cut them off.

Thanks Bella! That kinda makes sense, I think. So maybe more careful ripping would be the answer. I'll try it again on another project & see what happens.

When you rip fabric and it curves at the ends it may be that the end got twisted from the pressure of the pulling. This can often be corrected by pulling the curved part diagonally to straighten the threads that have become askew.

all i can think of is when you clipped the fabric before tearing it you may have done the cut on a slight angle. otherwise it should tear straight. try pressing them. if i ever tear, i tear wider than i need and then trim down.

I made 75 square dancing dresses with ruffles on the bottom of the skirts. I tore ALL the ruffles, with no bad results. My trick was to clip the salvege edge at the beginning and also at the very end...got some distortion when trying to just rip past the edge. I did do a no-no after 10 dresses, I cut into the cut end about 6 inches deep every 8 inches across the width, had a friend help me to hold every other cut and we just walked away from each other. All ruffles had to be roll-hemmed and then ruffled, so this eliminated alot of cross seams! I never had an issue with ripping, do it for all borders/sashing over 2" wide! Never starch anything, don't like to iron before using the fabric and am a little lazy regarding all the prep work everyone does. I am, however, a perfectionist regard the final product, so it works for me! Linda

I don't rip fabric, but was wondering if the pieces that curved still had selvedge on the one side? It might make a difference.

Right Kat Sews. I just finished pressing the last two strips and one of them had just the very slightest curve and I straightened it out, I think, by pulling it back into shape during the pressing.

I don't think I removed the selvedge till after I'd ripped all my strips. That might have had something to do with it. It's something I'll remember next time.

I was using fabric from JoAnn's which I've never used before. I don't think it was quite the quality of the rest of the fabrics, but I really didn't see anything wrong with it. Not trying to dis JoAnn. The only reason I haven't used their fabric before is because I haven't had access.

I do not like to rip because I still have to trim the ripped edge. That seems like double work for me. Sorry you are having this trouble. Could it be that the strips are narrow and just "appear" to be wavy - they may sew on just fine if that's the case.