I am a fan of ripping. I usually rip my fabric, sometimes to find the straight of grain and then I will do it if ripping for a long border (because I'm lazy). You can always rip a little bigger and trim off the ripped edges if you like. I will also rip my fabric the length I need (plus little extra) to use so I only have to iron that piece and not the entire piece of fabric. Works well, I have never had a problem, been doing it for 30+ years.