Would you return this fabric?
 

It's taking forever to get it squared up and I'm losing so much fabric. The long piece is squared up, the short piece isn't.
It curves to the left, can you see that?

i think that if the will let you return it, i would try. its not fair to lose that much fabric!!

I sure would try to return it. Good luck.

If you can't return it try blocking it and see if you can get it to straighten out some. Dampen the fabric and push pin it onto some cardboard pulling on the curved edge gently allow to dry completely before removing the pins. It might help, good luck.

Mamabear61 has the right idea. Most plaids and strips don't read straight. THis is probably old info so please be understanding.

I never rotory cut anything with a stripe. I always hand cut following a selected line and then pin to ironing board, dampen a little and work it to be straight, repining as you need to. Let it dry and you are ready to work with it.

If the fabric is too crooked, return it if possible, which I doubt 'cause this problem usually comes with the territory of the way stripes and plaids work.

Hope it works out for you.
peace

If the plaid is printed on, it may never "straighten" up. If it's woven, then try wetting it and blocking it straight. Did you buy it online or in person??

If you cut it and let the chips fall - it will look gorgeous. The all don't have to be perpendicular - but it could also be my personality type. My first quilt I ever made was the log cabin using all plaids. I remember the teacher specifically say don't even try to line up plaids. :)

I think I would try to return it if they will let you!!!!

If you can't return it, I would definitely soak it in hot water, roll it up in a towel so that it's not sopping and then block it like you would a knit sweater. Otherwise, just cut it into strips as is and use in a strip quilt where it's not important that the lines be straight.

If it's printed, I don't think that blocking it is going to help all that much, (but it won't hurt either). This is why I avoid buying plaids, stripes, even small repetitive prints. Drives me nuts if it's cut off pattern.

It is hard to find a plaid or stripe absolutely straight. I bought medallion fabaric and spent $$$ on all the fabric needed for a pattern. The medallion squares were not straight. I purchased an 11 1/2" square ruler just to make perfect cuts and they are still off. I knew if I bought more fabric I would still have the same problem. I just went ahead with the quilt top and overall am pleased with the results. If you can get a refund or exchange go for it. If not I would go ahead with the ideas posted. Good Luck to you!

That's why I very rarely buy plaids or stripes. I would try blocking it the way others have suggested. I doubt they will take it back.

if you can't return it... a short time ago, someone posted a picture of a double wedding ring with plaids in the arcs... crookedness wouldn't show there. sorry you're having a problem with it.

This is the reason I don't buy many plaids or stripes.

I would spray it with water and then iron it into shape. This can work but often plaids and strips are crooked on the bolt. They tend to stretch them too much and also don't cut them straight. Some don't give a damn they just want to make a sale.

Here's the result of the crooked fabric
 

I kept it bc I couldn't remembered where I ordered it from. so.. it's ok

Good save Sweetpeaches, no one will ever know.

I have found that you can use the "wavy/unsquared" plaids in things taht aren't squared blocks...use them on point blocks and it's not quite so noticable or use the fabric in applique" designs. Many times the plaids and stripes( especially crosswise) are not straight on the grain...go figure! You'd think the manufacturer would check this out, but then I don't think anyone has a "proofer" now days...and so much is made in other countries and for a dollar a day, they don't care about quality. Glad your bag turned out well. Cute purse!

I would certainly try to return it. I am a Longarm quilter and find so many fabrics that are off grain. Even if it is not obvious, it will cause your quilt not to lay or hang evenly.

I was reading all the post to learn what to do if I had this problem. I was super glad to see your bag! Your plaids look great. I'm glad you could make the fabric work.

I remember in home economics we were told to lightly pull the corners on a bias and give it a few tugs. This may help straighten the top right corner. (?) I'm not sure you can return fabric once you have cut into it.

hey, it worked out great in spite of the frustration! beautiful purse

If you grab opposite ends and pull it will straighten out. An old trick I learned years ago in Home Ec.

[QUOTE=SWEETPEACHES;5708319]It's taking forever to get it squared up and I'm losing so much fabric. The long piece is squared up, the short piece isn't.

Return it ASAP I sure would you pay for quality not poor quality.

I can see the curve and would try to return it but it looks as though you already have a lot of time in it. See what they say.

Good job! Finished product looks great! My hubby has a custom cabinet shop and I've told him many times, "I'm so glad I don't work with wood. Fabric is so much more forgiving!" I can't imagine working to the 32th of an inch! Stretch it, push it, make it fit works for me.

You might try pulling it diagonially (sp?) to straighten it. I've done that many times to fabric that wasn't straight.

Nice bag!

If it's a printed plaid that is off-grain - after washing it to see how the fabric wants to go - I feel that one has two choices:

1) Cut with the print and the fabric is off grain
2) Cut with the grain and the print will be off

I've learned to be very aware when buying printed stripes and plaids. They are not possible to straighten.

Woven plaids and stripes can be worked into alignment.

This reminds me of the reason I don't use stripes or plaids! They are just never printed straight!

I would return it. Any reputable store should realize that this is an inferior product.

I learned how to tentor fabric when I was in tailoring class. what you do is take ahold of the short sides and give it a quick tug that direction and it should straighten the grain of the fabric. it works real well especially for plaids. Hope this helps.

That is frustrating, isn't it? Plaids are hard to even up, can you live with it as it is? I'm sure your finished product would not suffer too much! Good luck...

I'm having the same problem with some plaid so I cut with the lines of the plaid and then block into shape.

i was wondering if anyone would suggest this! they don't have home ec now or noone takes it?? i learned to line up the selvages, then to pull diagonally on the shorter corners all the way thru the length, not just on the corners. this will line up the selvages and the fabric's grain. i don't think this is taught in quilting classes today.

This is a factory mistake(second) contact the company that made it just to see if they will make it good.I was a weaver in a textile factory for year 6 years.A certain amount of mistakes were allowed per 10 to 15 yards. If this is colored woven piece you can not straighten it out. If it is a print(pattern sprayed on fabric with multi-color dyes) you may cut it and tack down damp and work to srtaighten it some.