I have made about 35 quilts and have never worried about cutting on the grain, I have encountered some quilters who insist on the "perfect cut" I didn't ask why because I didn't want to sound stupid. What is the purpose of cutting perfectly on the grain and how many others worry about this.

I never worry about it either. I don't even know why some insist that it be cut on the grain.

Cutting on the grain avoids stretching. If I'm needing the fabric for a quilt and can't get it on the straight of grain, I have been known to ignore it. I mostly do scrappy crazy quilt type quilts so I don't pay much attention to the grain either.

By the way, welcome from Louisiana:)

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.

thanks, I've been lurking for a few months. Now I'm doomed I guess. I should be straightening up the house so I can take off for the quilt shop. :)

Hahaha, if you're anything like me you ARE doomed :D
If you've had that type of success without worrying about the grain you don't need any advice!! :D

i think it depends on the shape i'm cutting. I just finished piecing a quilt w/ all 60 degree diamonds. Having a couple edges on the straight grain helped the other sides from stretching.

the way I see it, I have taken up a hobby that has history. Women have been making quilts for hundreds of years and I dont think they worried about cutting on the grain 200 years ago so why should I. My family dont care and they are warm at night with one of moms creations.

Let's put it like this. I just made a baby quilt using scraps, some were so small I had to cut off grain to get the size needed. I have been sewing for 60+ years and having straight seams. or in this case, strips, was never a problem. I sure wouldn"t want anyone to look closely at this one!! And I used the starch before I cut too!! My seam allowances were even, but some of the strips had enough off grain to make then pull funny . I'll stick to straight grain!!