I know it is important so you can avoid fabric stretch but I'm not always willing to pay that much attention to this. Shame on me.

Rosy, Thank you for the cutting a skirt sample. I can go for that and it will help me when I forget which is which. On scraps I have a real problem and some times when there is no salvage left, I pull one way on fabric and then the other to see which stretches and which does not.

Rosyhf makes a point about the cost of fabric- if you paid $12 or $13 a yard, maybe you should pay more attention to how you cut it. And if you are making a design that really matters to you or the person who will get it, then you will take the time to be precise on the details.

But, I also hear this other side- if this is a play quilt for our kids, a get to know a new technique quilt with cheap fabric that won't be seen by people outside our home, or a recycle leftovers, then does it really matter? To the picky who knows that it will be wrong in their mind, then by all means, appease your conscience. To those who can live with the quilt as it is, then do so without guilt.

Usually to do with stretching and how well your quilt hangs when you finish it.

I am in total agreement with Roshyf, in fact I am a bit confused by the subject as I have always thought, and read and been taught and told that you should always use the straight thread of the fabric.

One of my favourite suppliers, and early quilting teacher, used to have a saying, I live to rip and cut. She had an Internet business and she taught me that you rip a piece of fabric, to get the "grain" of the fabric straight, and then cut. I have never had problems with warped blocks or borders, which IMO must be cut from a straight thread fabric.

Oh, thank you all for this. I've held my breath, listening for the Quilt Police to come pounding on the door when i cut fabric off the grain so I can have an adequate piece that I need to finish something. It never seemed to matter one way or other, so I've kept on doing it when necessary.

I don't bother with cutting on the grain either - never really had any problems

OK a fairly newbie.I have made one memory throw quilt.
What is grain and bias?I know, Iknow,(silly question) but I really don't know.LOL

Fabric strips cut from selvage to selvage (S/S)have a small amount of elasticity (they stretch). Fabric strips cut "with the grain" don't stretch. Either way is okay - depending on your preference.

I prefer to cut "with the grain" for my sashing strips. The reason for this is that my block will be square and stay that way. They won't have that quarter-inch stretch going on. You don't get those "wavy" borders if you cut "with the grain" - a 27" strip stays a 27" strip, not a 27-1/2" strip like you sometimes get if you cut S/S.

Thanks! in simple words the grain is the WOF the Bias is the length!!Simple LOL :lol:

Bias is the diagonal across the fabric. With the grain is along the length of the fabric (parallel to the selvedge). Little stretch. Width of fabric is selvedge to selvedge, a little more stretch.

I just have to agree with you!! like your attitude!!

Yes, I agree. And a very little amount of fabric is lost by squaring up a piece of yardage.

You're welcome Suz, sometimes when doing my S and C quilts and I have a strip that I want to use and it's cut on the cross, I put it in anyway and just butt it up to a stright grain to keep it there.

I use my friend's scraps, so they are cut anywhich way but I find a way to use them all.

NO:
Straight of the grain is parallel to the selvage.
WOF is across the grain
Bias is cut at a 45 degree angle from either the grain or WOF

catmcclure would you mind if I copied your pic of the fabric guide as I would like to print it our for my Patchwork class members, pretty please :)

HI Carol I am with you I will stick to straight of grain except on scrappy quilts it does make a difference in some patterns or blocks.

HI Cashnquilt yes you are right.... good girl cut as straigt a grain as you can

Me neither. I can't ever remember getting a piece of fabric cut on the straight except way back before rotary cutters and they used to clip and rip 100% cottons....smile telling my age

Yes I was taught the same and that is what I teach.
You start out straight you get better results...
I just buy a bit more than I need and snipand rip the ends to get the straight cross grain. Sometimes the strips are from 1/2 in to sometime 2 3 or 4 in on the other end.
I use those strips in scrap quilts....

You just brought up a great subject .... that is very true some fabrice do shrink more one direction than the other, another great reason to pre wash. Get the shrinking done before you cut and sew then have a mess of blks that do not go together well.

Anything I post is a freebie. Glad I can help out.

Take a large scrap and cut two 12" x 3" strips, one on the grain and one WOF and then pull on the ends and you will see how much stretch you get from WOF cuts.

Hi Rosy,
Love your point. I am like you I just cna't save the world of quilters so I have to just look the ohter way too. SMILE
I say if it is worth doing it is worth doing it the right way for the best results you will be happier with the finished product, and if you are sending to a quilter they will be happier too... and you will have an heirloom no matter what the pattern...
Happy Quilting to you.
ConnieF

Just remember cross grain stretches a bit and the straight of grain will pop when pulled quickly... Smile

Yes glad you do that , I am with you .... I always straighten the cross grain before I cut.... that is why I hate to buy kits, I havent ever gotten on that was straight, and certainly was not pre washed
Oh well that is why I cut my own...

Always do, was taught to as a child, HATE wiggly fabric.

Thank y ou for all the great lessons here. I've always wondered why on the grain as well. :)