1/4 yd-----WOF
 

In another thread, there's discussion about fat quarters vs. 1/4 yd cuts. How do you get a quarter yard cut so that you actually have 9" of fabric when you get home? Most of the cutters around here are so sloppy that I'd by a half a yard if I wanted 9" of usable fabric. There have been times I've lost as much as 9" off a corner when trying to square up fabric.

I've had that same thing happen. I always buy 1/4 to 1/2 yard extra anyway for shrinkage when I wash and for squaring up.

I guess the best way would be to stand right there and ask them to be very careful about the 9 inches or.....buy a little more.

: )

Instead of buying half a yard, why not ask for one-third of a yard. That's 12 inches instead of 18. If you can't get nine usable inches out of that, I'd complain to the store manager about how sloppy the employees are on fabric cutting.

I guess I'm lucky. In most of the places I buy fabric in my area, the cuts are usually made one or two inches beyond the measurement I ask for, so I have a little bit of room to get my full amount.

Some clerks don't like to see me ... I watch them cutting the fabric, often asking them to square it up before cutting my piece. Sometimes I check it again throughout the piece just to be sure. I've even bought 3 or more inches more than I need just to be sure I have enough fabric. And yes, I've returned fabric that doesn't meet my expectations when I get home. Customer service needs to be improved and it's up to the customer to set the standards.

I'm with you, I stand there and watch them like a hawk. Then I take the piece and place the folded edge to the selvedge and if it isn't the same width I ask them to remeasure and recut if it isn't 9" at both the fold and selvedge. I also have taken back fabric thay isn't cut properly or shrinks and twists so badly when washed it's not even near 9". JoAnn's is famous for sloppy cutting in my town, plus the gals are a bit rude. My LQS usually overcuts by a few inches or throws in the last few inches on the bolt instead of offering them to me at 50% off.

If I need 9" of fabric, I NEVER get just 1/4 yard. 1/3 yard just costs a smidgen more. Even getting a 1/3, you have to watch to see that both ends are cut straight.

One of the things I've learned to do when buying fabric:

I try to remember to check to see if the fabric looks like it's 'straight' while it's still on the cardboard.

Is it printed on-grain? If it's printed off-grain, I don't even bother to take it home.

Has it gotten pulled 'off-grain' in the manufacturing and packaging processes? It may or may not go back to being 'on-grain' after it has been washed and dried. (Doesn't matter who the manufacturer is/was)

The cutters will probably cut the fabric perpendicular to the selvage edge or fold - regardless of what the actual fabric grain lines are.

Exceptions that I've seen. I saw someone pull a thread on an expensive silk to get the cutting line, and I've seen cutters cut along a thread on a woven plaid.

If I'm buying WOF cuts, a third of a yard is the smallest cut I'll buy.