That sounds horrible. The three stores I shop at, Rosie's Calico Cupboard in El Cajon, Joann's in National City, and Quilter's Choice in Chula Vista, all cut the fabric with scissors and usually make sure they cut a bit beyond the measured mark, to boot!

Presumably, if the piece that is 4 inches wider is wider at its narrowest part than the length you asked for, there isn't much you can do, having gotten extra. But the fact that there is such a difference in the width makes me think that the previous "cutter" did *not* just rip the fabric--if they had, you would have gotten a "parallelogram"-shaped piece instead of a trapezoid (2 sides parallel and 2 sides not). LOL Forgive the geometry language. Could you have gotten someone who was new and didn't know what she was doing?

I would hate to have my fabrics ripped like that, but the real question is whether or not they chose a point to rip that allows extra yardage so that after you trim off the deformed edges, you will have the use of the full yardage you paid for.

The next time, I think I would point out to them a few of my objections to ripping and ask if they would please cut. And if they said no, I would leave without buying. If they're smart, they might even offer you a free FQ to make up for the unpleasantness with the batiks!

Oh, no, I just reread your post and realized that the shop in question is so far away that there is unlikely to BE a next time. That being the case, and since I have become contentious in my old age (when I think I have a good case), I would probably write them just for the satisfaction of it, but without any expectation of them making up for what they did. They have already shown that they are most likely oblivious to how their customers might feel.
Could it be that they are not quilters themselves?

I had one quilt teacher who wanted her fabric torn instead of being cut because it tears on grain so I'm wondering if yours will be okay after you wash it. I know that won't explain why one piece is four inches wider at one end, maybe it was cut last time and torn this time. I hope it wasn't the LQS in our town. I've only seen them cut with a rotary cutter and give a little extra for shrinkage. They also say they will refund money if you aren't satisfied but I don't think you are 75 miles north of us,so it probably isn't them. I would let them know that I was unhappy.
Pat

Tearing is widely accepted by some people and horribly condemned by others. I recall someone saying the sound is so relaxing it puts them to sleep and someone else spoke up and said it we wanted to tear one piece of fabric to please let her know first so she could leave the room. The sound to her is like nails on a chalkboard.

As far as the fabric is concerned, usually if you trim off that bruised edge the cut should still be the size ordered and should be ok. Looser weaves (like some batiks) may distort more, but if that was the case you wouldn't think they would tear it. Unless it was someone new at the shop maybe.

If you aren't happy though, I think you should write them if only to get it off your chest. It will make you feel better and there is always a chance they may try to make amends, but I wouldn't expect that. That would just keep it on your mind.

So, trim off those thready edges and enjoy what I'm sure are beautiful batiks. Life is too short to stress over stuff like this.

jmho

Cheers
Faye

By the way.... I LOVE your subject title....

Good to know your sense of humor is alive and well.

F

First of all, I agree with you: fine fabrics should be cut, not ripped.

I have worked pretty closely with my company's customer service department and this would be their advice:
1. Know what you want before you talk to them. Is it replacement fabric? An apology? Or maybe you want them to change their policy on cutting/ripping. Whatever it is, decide before you contact them. (Think about whether that request is reasonable.)
2. Then call them and ask to speak with the owner or manager. Calmly explain what happened and why you didn't like it (less usable fabric, distorted fabric, etc.). Don't expect them to understand at first - like Faye said, this might be their common practice and perfectly OK as far as they are concerned. This is your chance to get them to see the light and change their policy.
3. Tell the manager what you want. If they have a counter offer, consider it, but if you are adamant that you want replacement fabric for example, then restate your demand. Offer to send them a photo by email of the 'damage' to the fabric. If the piece was shorter than you asked for, include a tape measure in the photo.
4. If you don't get satisfaction, ask if there is someone else above them who you may speak with.
5. If all else fails, put your request in writing and send a copy to their local Better Business Bureau. The BBB registers complaints and keeps them for years. Print a picture of the worst ripped edge and include it with the letter.

Hope this helps,
Kate

Writing them to express your dismay might help you. But don't expect the store to immediately change their way of doing things. They are in the "rip" camp and the management must have their reasons. I also prefer to have my fabric cut, but I don't stress out over it being ripped.

This is a very good example of why you should always be present when your fabric is cut. Mistakes can be made and corrected.

Please don't stress anymore over this. Life is too short. View this experience as a lesson learned.
Teresa

Thanks so much for your insight. I am glad to hear that this is not so common. There really is nothing I want them to do other than to understand that, at least for me, this process is unkind. Perhaps if they would ask customers first. THAT would be much appreciated.

I don't understand the "grain" theory on their part, since actually they have no idea what my plans are for the fabric. In my case I am making some wall hangings with raw edge method (McKenna Ryan pattern).

I guess, in the future, my policy is to NEVER leave my fabric to be "cut" while I shop -- so I don't have to worry about getting ripped! I will be letting them know though, that I didn't appreciate it, and that asking would be a nice gesture.

Thanks again!

Since I'm much older than all of you, I should mention that this is the way the "dry goods" stores did it in the old days. But, then we didn't have batiks back then either.
Linda

I always add a little onto yardage when I purchase it to compensate for unraveling, distortion, poor cuts...but better fabric stores should do this automatically. Have you measured your material to see if they may have added some extra to compensate for a less than aesthetic margin ?

I am fairly new to quilting, but not seamstessing, and the lay of the grain can be very important when making clothing. We were taught in sewing classes to 'square up' a new piece of material to establish the grain before cutting by ripping a clean edge. You may be very surprised at what you find. I was really shocked the first time I bought some cottons at "the" box store. The design ran uphill and upon closer checking, it was because the grain did too. What this causes is the material to stretch in ways you may find affects the fit of a garment, or how a seam lays.

If the edge of the material is distorted, pressing usually restores it to a decent block. ( Not that you should be expected to repair newly purchased cloth.)

No, I don't think most stores rip their goods anymore, but I have purchased more than a few yards of cloth where they'd have gotten a lot closer to a clean cut if they had. One piece I bought once was four inches off square, when it was carelessly scissor cut. So, I guess it probably would not have bothered me to have it ripped instead. Of course, not all fabrics can be ripped, and common sense should prevail. I think the management should appreciate your opinion. I own a business and whether I want to hear how a customer feels about a certain practise, I know I need to hear it.

I am like toolgranny ~ I do remember the days when this was a common practice. However, in recent years at all the quilt shops I have shopped my fabrics have all been cut. Hope you whatever you decide to do it works out for you.

Liz

I prefer my fabric to be ripped when the fabric permits that technique but all fabric do not lend themselves to being torn, batiks being one of them. When it is ripped correctly the measure is more accurate, as is the ability to have it square on grain. I have had more problems with poorly cut fabric then that which has been ripped.
I believe the store made an error and you are entitled to restution in some form. I think Kate's advise was excellent. Jayne

I rip my own fabric at home all the time.

But so far I have NEVER had someone at a store do that. I live in CA (near Biwako) so maybe it's a regional thing but I've bought over the internet too from several places and have never received fabric that looked as though it had been ripped.

Even though I rip my own for my own purposes -- I'd be really annoyed because it does ruin the edge -- it basically robs you of a 1/4" or so of the fabric. I'd definitely measure those pieces out of curiosity at the very least. If they are 1/2 a yard AFTER you trim off the bruised edge then I'd be less upset.

I think I have to agree with others that in the grand scheme of things, this is probably not worth too much stressing over. I have occasionally had some of my fabric ripped, and also rip fabric at home for some projects - ex: long border strips. It sure guarantees a straight even piece! But then, that was my choice - I think it's a matter of preference. I wash my fabrics when I get them home, and the wobbly edges from ripping just disappear. Most of the quilt shops around here do, however, cut fabric, either with scissors, or a rotary cutter, but I think if I had a strong preference against my fabric being ripped - just tell them while they're measuring it. I'd think they'd comply, to make the customer satisfied. I think if you contact them with this complaint, they may or may not make some sort of restitution for you, but at least your voice has been heard, and in the future, maybe they'll ask before ripping.

Took me awhile to find this particular piece. It shows off-grain very well.
Cut square at the store, then washed & dried. Fabric returned to it's natural state.
This can cause wrinkles in the finished item if it's washed after the sewing is done.

{{!gwi}}

I prefer ripped fabric, but any store that does this should add an inch or two to allow for the fabric lost along the "bruised" edges. A good cutter should cut on the straight of the grain, but my experience is that many fabrics are not folded straight and are not square on the bolt, so even if the cutter is careful, the cut will be seriously off-grain. This is especially a problem with the full-width backing fabrics. I have to work with straight edges to pin-baste, so I rip one end to square it up. The worst case was a backing that was 16" off-grain! By the time I had a usable edge, the backing was too short to use. So, tearing has its place.

Annie