I hate it when clerks cut my fabric! I prefer that it be torn. I know exactly where the grain is, and it never seems to stretch the fabric, even when I'm only buying 0.1 metre. By the time it's been through the washer and dryer, it's just fine.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

I agree that fabric should not be torn. My mother was absolutely certain that it made the fabric "straight on the grain" and would not be convinced otherwise, God rest her soul. However, I remember those machines too. They had them here in the JC Penney store and used them all the time. I'm glad they got rid of them!! It took a lot of ironing to get the fabric back on the straight of grain (tugging, ironing, sweating and swearing [oops, shouldn't have admitted that]).

Lorchen wrote:
Actually, the cutting clerk mentioned that customers did not want the fabric to be torn because tearing causes stretching along the torn edge.

I agree with you, Lorchen, that whatever cutting method used should be accurate.

In my opinion, it's totally irrelevant what method is used to cut the fabric. It should be cut reasonably straight and you should get the length that you pay for. To be honest, if I'd notice I'm not getting the right amount, point it out, and then get a cheeky response, I wouldn't shop at that place again.

Saying that, I guess that tearing the fabric gives you the straightest edge.

Lorchen

cjbeg wrote:
This makes sense and I certainly agree that safety should be a primary concern. Thanks for letting me see this from another point of view.

I had been to a shop that used the rotary cutter, then to another that didn't. I asked the second one about it and they didn't use the rotary cutter because of the possibility of accidentally cutting the customer or themselves.. Scissors were much safer for everyone.

Thanks to all who replied for allowing me to vent.

I nicely asked the fabric store clerk to be certain that she cut two full yards because I would need every inch. Her response was that I should purchase an extra 1/8 yd. to ensure that I would have enough. Even though she was right, I believe that I should get two yards, if I pay for two yards. It's so very frustrating!

That drives me nuts that big-box stores have huge thumbs that short my purchase!! I taught my dd at a young age to always ask for more than the pattern states.

I remember those little machines. Fascinating to me as a little kid.

As i recall, on our last "outing" RobinQuilts and I ran into one of those machines at one of the stores we shopped. I believe it was Pamella's Place in Gennessee Depot, Wisconsin. We both commented on how long it had been since we had seen one!

I certainly remember those measuring machines! One of my LQS tears, one uses scissors (but always gives you a little bit extra), one uses rotary cutters (and always makes sure you get your requested measurement, or a bit more).

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

I just hate to buy a certain amount of fabric and then end up short. Worst event was when I bought a half yard of a specialty fabric to make a 16 inch pillow for my great nephew. When I got home one side was barely 16 in. I retrieved the project and made a slightly smaller pillow but now I really watch the cutting and if I think they are not giving me full value, I ask them to move the fabric over. Amazingly the Hancocks fabric store in McAllen TX has a quilter who does most of the cutting during the winter months and she uses a rotary cutter. But the other staff haven't learned the lesson yet. Ann

I was always fascinated by those machines and they seemed to do such a good job. Wonder why they quit using them.

I had forgotten all about those machines Nancy. Thanks for that piece of nostalgia.

The last two times that I purchased fabric from a bolt at my local fabric store, the fabric was cut at the right length on the folded edge and a few inches too short on the selvedge. The store clerks at the cutting table still use scissors and eyeballs to cut the fabric. Why don't they use rotary cutters and rulers? I know they have them, because they sell them.

The next time I purchase fabric there, I might tactfully suggest that they use rotary cutters and rulers like they do in quilt shops.

Do you remember back in the 1970's when they used fabric measuring machines that would clip the folded edge and then the fabric was torn, so we had to stretch the fabric on the bias to get it on the straight grain? Whatever happened to those machines?