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From: SummersEchos
Date: 02-04-2005, 12:01 AM (1 of 6)
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Okay just a general question here. Does it make a difference to you when you buy your fabric if it is cut or ripped? I have about 90% of the time had my fabric cut. A few quilting shops rip the fabric. I work for the fabric industry and we get asked all the time to make sure the edges are STRAIGHT. I agree it is nice to start with a straight edge on both sides. Isn't going to happen in a fabric shop that cuts the fabric. I have also been asked why we do not use rotary cutters? I was told the danger level of someone losing part of a finger was high. After cutting fabric for 5 years I believe it. So when you want you fabric a true straight line how do you go about achieving this? I remember back in Home Ec. in the 60's we had to pull a thread till it went all the way across the fabric, then cut on that thread to have a straight edge. Boy or boy that was a lot of work. I rip the fabric, it is the easiest for me.
Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: MaryW
Date: 02-04-2005, 04:52 AM (2 of 6)
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It's a personal preference. Sometimes ripping will stretch and distort the edge. I always cut fabrics with scissors unless asked to rip. That was what the head honcho told us to do.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 02-04-2005, 07:14 AM (3 of 6)
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I've had clerks refuse to rip fabric but n the little shops in New York's garment district -- where they sell to professionals -- they often rip fabric. I generally buy more than I think I will need so I can trim -- pull a thread if I have to in order to get a good straight edge to work with. In our local JoAnnes and Hancocks the people working there don't even understand why it matters. Most of them don't sew. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Zabelle
Date: 02-04-2005, 08:40 AM (4 of 6)
The shopping clerks always rip fabric in France!  Didn't know the tip about pulling out a thread, that's a great idea. Thanks! English sewing journal: Kitty Couture
In French: Journal d'une cousette |
User: Zabelle
Member since: 02-25-2004 Total posts: 98 
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From: MaryW
Date: 02-04-2005, 09:06 AM (5 of 6)
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It's easy to do, but takes a bit of time. My neighbor makes the most beautiful drapery treatments. She always draws a thread.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: TammyE.H.
Date: 02-04-2005, 09:28 AM (6 of 6)
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The shopping clerks always rip fabric in France! Didn't know the tip about pulling out a thread, that's a great idea. Thanks! Bonjour Zabelle, The pulling thread technique is one I always use if I can. Then again, I wash/dry ALL my fabric the minute I get it home from the shops. So when it comes time to layout the pattern, I generally need to give it a good ironing. I find that if it's cut 'square' the ironing is easier. But here in Québec, they very rarely rip. They almost always cut, with scissors. Tammy |
User: TammyE.H.
Member since: 08-28-2004 Total posts: 51 
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