This has been a rather interesting read! At the only quilt shop in town where my mom lives (craftybear visits the same one) they tear it there. I just about fell over the first time they tore a piece of my fabric. When I got home with it, I remembered doing that in Home Ec and lo and behold, my fabric was straight and measured fine. Everywhere I shop cuts it (can't stand Walmart's cutting). But, after readin all this, it makes me wonder.
So, on some of the large yardages I buy (say 7 or more yards), if I tear it,then do I tear it from then on, or would it straighten it out and be ok to rotary cut then? I always pre-wash, not sure if that matters or not.