Call me a rebel don't worry too much unless it's a definate pattern, or way off, sometimes the little stretch helps with matching. But then I don't have a walking foot.
Do watch when sewing clothes.
Welcome and Happy Sewing/Quilting :)

Welcome from Ireland

Borders cut on grain sure quilt easier on my longarm. But I really didn't know why some stretched worst than others. I assumed the quilt was not square. This was enlightening. I use starch, so I pay little attention.

I have found that a quilt stays nice and square and the blocks match up perfect if I square up the fabric before I start to cut. I try to always cut the borders on the up and down of the fabric for the same reason. Then the edges stay nice and straight and no stretch.

Since being given the top of "rip" the fabric to get the grain straight, I do wish fabric shops would do the same, I have always done it, and teach my class the same. I find blocks/squares are truer and the patterns are as well. I don't have much wastage as we love scrappy strip quilting and pp.

I was at a quilt shop wanting to buy a 2.5" strip which they would not sell under 1/8th of a yard (4.5" pc) and another shopper said that I would be able to get a good pc cut on the grain. Meaning I would pay for 4.5" and only use 2.5" of it but it would be "perfect". Seemed like a waste to me.[/quote]


I cannot imagine wanting to buy a 2.5" strip. A 1/4 yd is the frequently the limit of the smallest piece cut. A couple of shops around here have a 1/2 yard limit.

I cannot imagine wanting to buy a 2.5" strip. A 1/4 yd is the frequently the limit of the smallest piece cut. A couple of shops around here have a 1/2 yard limit.[/quote]

I was making a scrap quilt and wanted a lot of variety, kinda making my own jelly roll

I am just finishing a mystery quilt and the final boarders are cut on grain so will be interesting to see if their is a difference. My understanding is that cut on grain keeps the boarder from getting a wave. will see.
welcome from Virginia

Not to take the thread OT but:

Years (and years) ago I was making this quilt. And I was thrilled to find a shop that cut fabrics as small as 3" of a yard . I didn't need a lot of each, but I need a variety of fabrics. So for the cost of 1.25 yards, I got 16 different fabrics, instead of having to buy 16 FQ's of fabric that I really didn't need.

And, mind you, I have a huge stash, but didn't have enough of these colors in the values I wanted. Even today, buying Jelly Rolls isn't quite my thing as I much prefer to choose my own fabrics.

In this case, grain was not a big deal.

Back on-topic:
Keep in mind, though, that if grain is important for the project, you can lose a lot of a small strip getting it straight.

I like against the grain for the look it can create with stripes, gingham or plaids. But then I like the old/antique look of the quilts made from whatever remained of old clothing, etc.
When I finished a quilt my grandmother had pieced, I found the bias-cut 10" squares were a real problem with stretching and I had to redo the border a few times to get the quilt to lie flat. Still, the finished quilt turned out well.
If you are piecing shapes other than squares, there will inevitably bias pieces...you just have to watch your stitching.
So I suggest, go for whatever you like.