The closest shop to me tears so I refuse to go there. She doesn't allow extra fabric for the ruffled edges that occur when you tear. I prefer my fabric to be cut so I go to the one that is a little further away.

I just had some fabric from a UK store I've not used before. It was a very "skinny" measurement and also it was torn. By the time it was washed and trimmed straight for cutting I was about 3" short. At UK prices I will not use them again.

We have a large fabric shop in Limoges, and the patchwork counter only is a DIY job. You measure yourself and cut, write your own ticket and take it to the cash desk. Never seen that anywhere else!

I expect (demand) a panel to be cut one layer at a time - on the line.

Even the clerks at the WalMart stores that I've gone to cut the panels one layer at a time.
They will also cut along a stripe on the line one layer at a time.

There are also some prints - that even thought they don't have a "line" between repeats - should be treated as panels.

I've seen both. The one store cuts - and does a very even job. The other one tears but gives a few inches to make it up. Our JoAnn's cuts - but half the time it's crooked... DO NOT like that...

Most of the stores around here rotary cut, Joannes uses scissors. If I
went in one that tears I would do just what sewingathome does, walk
out and go to another store. I was taught that tearing the fabric
distorts it.

They always 'cut' and if it is a smidgen off from the last cut, they just toss in the extra smidgen to line it up...all good things:)I'd scream if someone ripped my fabric....I don't care if they deem that on the line...I'd scream and run!:)LOL Skeat maybe that would make a good hidden camera moment:)LOL

We have 2 shops in Burnsville, one tears and one cuts. I personally tear. I have been to shops in New Orleans and Houston and its about 50/50 as far as who cuts and who tears.

I guess if I shop out of my area I will ask before buying!!:)Yikes!:)

ok, guys my 2 cents. It's ok to tear your fabric and it is ok to press your seams open. LOL.
I have been tearing my fabric and making quilts for over 25 years. Rotary cutting is ok too, but tearing is perfectly fine, it is all preference neither will hurt.

In my shop I always cut. I also cut 37-38" yards so the fabric can be straightened if necessary. I find that if a fabric is torn I need to cut the ends anyway to take off the bruised edges. In Colorado there seems to be a movement in the shops to tear. One even charges an extra $2 PER YARD to cut it. I guess they think they are saving money on mats and blades, but they are losing business.