I think lots of problems are avoided when fabric is on grain. I try to be careful when I buy fabric to be sure it is printed on grain (for the most part). I pull threads to get the grain line and pull the fabric diagonally when necessary. I know it is time consuming but I feel that it is worth it.

I use to make drapes and curtains for a custom made drapery shop, It doesn't take long to pull a thread and use that as your cutting guide.and you can cut on the straight of the grain this way.Once you get use to it ,it comes easy.

I recycle sheets and about the only way to deal with them is to tear. Yes, sometimes the grain is off resulting in waste, but I like to work with straight grain.

I prefer to wash my fabrics before cutting them - I like to see what they want to do "naturally".

Occasionally I have come across a fabric that I am unable to straighten - or if I did straighten it, it wants to revert back to being off-grain. A bit like straightening naturally curly hair - or putting rollers into naturally straight hair.

"Pull" has been used in several posts here. It has different meanings. When you pull a thread, you take out one thread in the cross grain, which will show the exact straight grain line of the width. But then those edges have to match exactly when you fold the fabric in half again (or in quarters).

In order to match this grain line when folded, you need to "pull" the fabric. When the fabric is folded in half, you will find one half is longer than the other. Lay fabric out flat. Grasp the shorter corner with one hand, then grasp the other side of the fabric at the other selvage about 42 inches down from the other corner so that you are pulling at a 45º angle. Give that bias a little tug. Move your hands a few inches closer to the long corner and tug again. Repeat the tugging until you get right to the corner. Now go back to your first tug and move down to the other end of the fabric and work into that corner. Fold the fabric in half again and see if it needs more tugging. You may see that it is perfect now or you may see that you need to tug a lot harder.

In home-ec class, we always pulled a thread and then tugged until the ends were even.

maviskw...I believe the term for that process is "tentering". Learned that in HS Home Ec as well as pulling the thread and cutting.

Depends on what is more important to one at the moment - keeping as much fabric (or design) as possible, or working with straight of grain -

I agree. I have a red print from a good line that is printed way off. I have opted to use in smaller amounts - no wider that 2 1/2" - and go with the grain to enjoy the color. If it were blue, I'd probably pitch it.

I looked up "tentering" and only found the methods used in huge factory settings! Would be nice to see how one is able to do it at home! Involves stretching I think.

maviskw described it well...if you have a buddy nearby you can each hang onto a side while you gently stretch.