Quilt in a Day Forums

I joined the tearing side when I got a quilting frame and needed to perfectly square up the backs. It works perfect every time. I don't tend to tear much else though.

I sometimes tear my fabric for borders. I tear lengthwise so I don't have to piece the border unless it's a really busy fabric where you can't see the seam in the border.

In reading your post I am a little confused. Why did you have to cut and throw away 3-inches?

Torn fabric is on grain. Personally I prefer it that way. Before I wash fabric I tear it then pink it. I find that it ravels less in the machine. It sure is a joy when I take it out and it doesn't have knots of thread!!

Many times fabric isn't put on the bolt straight. Wonder why you get that V when you rotary cut strips? That's why. Where it is nicely pressed probably isn't the straight of grain at all! I always bring mine home, wash it, dry it, tear it to straighten each end, remove selvedges, then match up the edges and press a brand new fold mark. Then I know that my quilt (or my dress) is going to fall perfectly as it should. I'd MUCH rather square it up here than have to cut off 4" after I've done all my piecine or appliquing!!!
If you have your fabric ripped, be sure that they rip the beginning raw edge 1st so you have a perfect yard of fabric. A lot of places won't rip it because they can sell more if it's not perfect. I have to always add 1/4 yd. to be sure that when I rip I'll still have the right amount. Might be a lot of work in the beginning, but it beats the alternatives.

Oh... and yes, it does cause it to ravel a lot when it's ripped, but once you know it is the real straight grain, you can always run over it with your rotary cutter. In the older QIAD books, El always had you tear your 2 1/2" strips. That was before rotary cutters, but I'll bet you dollars to donuts she straightens her fabric before she begins cutting it!!!

It seems to me that tearing would possibly stretch the fabric? I have never torn mine or had it torn. Don't know why. Every place I shop cuts it.

I buy fabric from the QIAD store in Paducah all the time and they always tear it instead of cutting it. I really don't like for them to do that but I have never said any thing to them about it. I just figured it was the stores policy to tear, not cut.

Beverly

I rotary cut several 2 1/2 strips and then tore one. The difference was eye opening. The perfectly straight cut strip using the rotary cutter was off grain.
Remember the first rip is to get the straight of grain. Good fabric will rip clean and not stretch.

I tear mine before using to make sure its on grain,,,,I get mine at Walmart and they cut it,,,however they always allow a bit extra so you can tear and straighten,,,I tear off a strip,line it up and the trim the torn edge with my rotary cutter...it makes a world of difference...