Originally Posted by mpspeedy
I prefer my fabric cut that way. I remember when they had that little machine that they ran the fabric through to measure it. Then they pushed a button to make the small cut. The biggest problem with fabric is that it is often wound on the bolts while still slightly damp and gets stretched and distorted. The only way to tell if that is the case is to tear it.
I had forgotten about that machine, it always intrigued me as a child. I still tear cloth to get a straight edge but don't try it if you plan on using bed sheets. They are not cut on the grain, they are cut on a pile of cloth with a band saw.
Carol J.