i prefer it torn. it's good for you- you get an accurate amount of fabric, you have the straight grain- and it's good for the store--they are selling every inch instead of having to add extra so you get the 'right' amount end to end. i wanted a 1/4 yd of a fabric i knew i would never use again. i watched the girl cut it and i could tell i wasn't going to have much to work with by the time i straightened it. so i said, let me show you what happens when you straighten the fabric. i ended up with 2" of fabric, straight on the grain, and a handful of dog bed stuffing. of course, i had to pay for the whole 1/4 yd, but it was an eye opener for the clerk!