September 27, 2016

Why I Tear Backing Fabrics

This post may contain affiliate links. Thank you for your support!




The picture tells it all.  This is a strip torn from 108" wide backing.  Can you imagine this fabric ending up anywhere near straight on the rails with it that crooked?  I used to hate using extra-wide backing until I learned that they need to be straightened by tearing.  Now I love extra-wide fabrics!  

I appreciate a shop that tears extra-wide fabric rather than cutting it so the entire piece of fabric I receive is usable.  I can order a smaller piece and save money!  Sweet Treasures Quilts is the only shop I've found who does this!  {Of course, if a shop tears my regular quilting cottons, I won't be back!}



Get a Free Quilt Pattern!

Get a free pattern when you sign up to receive the latest info on what's happening in my studio, new quilt patterns, subscriber-only sales and Giveaways, quilty window shopping, and other fun news!

Click here to sign up!

7 comments :

Jan @Cocoa Quilts said...

Thanks for sharing. Always looking for backing fabric choices.

Jan @Cocoa Quilts said...

Thanks for sharing. Always looking for backing fabric choices.

Shannon said...

I don't have any trouble loading the wide backings on my machine. As long as I cut them straight, they seem to cooperate.

Laura said...

One of our LQS requires their employees to tear their wide backs because of this issue. When I buy wide backs online, I always end up buying more fabric than I need to make sure I have enough to straighten it. The scraps end up in my quilts, so I'm ok with buying extra.

GranthamLynn said...

Wow. Interesting. I never knew. I'll visit them. I need some backing fabric!
Thanks for sharing.

Quilts 204 said...

I don't understand why you wouldn't want your regular cotton fabric torn as well to straighten it. I tear all my fabric to straighten it. I was taught this 50 years ago in school and it was reinforced by Harriet Hargraves in her books and workshops.

dorothy said...

I too was taught to tear fabric to straighten it. Both in 4-H and home ec