cutting question

[morgans4]

if you are using 100% cotton, tear 1 end to be sure it's straight on grain. those fabrics are never put on bolts correctly and when they cut it for you, it just gets worse. The only way you can omit having that V after folding your fabric, is to straighten it. 100% cotton will tear absolutely on grain. Once you have torn it, look at the piece that came off and you will see how awful it was cut.
Once I get it torn, I fold the selvages together making sure the end is lining up with itself. then, before you make your cut, be sure to have the torn edge about 1/4" away from the mark. After cutting, flip it around and cut the torn edge with your cutter so it won't be ravelly. That's the worst thing about tearing, but if you ever make something that doesn't hang right... chances are you didn't cut it on the true grain. When you tear it, it omits that problem.

[CaroleJ]

Dslower, Glo Tape on your ruler would probably be a big help, too.