Tips for Finding the Straight Grain in Fabrics

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Finding the straight grain of fabric is important to do before beginning a project. ZJ Humbach shares several tips for finding the straight of grain in different fabrics.
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[@dougsandrajohnson8523]

This is the first video that I have seen that really helps me to understand finding grainline. Thank you so much!

[@aliciadanowski245]

A few times when in a fabric store, I tell the people cutting the fabric that I want it torn and not cut because of the straight of grain. They think I am nuts and don't know what I am talking about. I rally don't think these people know anything about fabric. They should not be working there. I learned to rip my fabric when i learned to sew at Singers back in the 60's. Thank you for proving me right.

[@NationalSewingCircle]

You're welcome!

[@mandybrierley2338]

Awesome , I bought 5 metre cotton fabric, prewashed, then disaster, (at 63 new to sewing) I have been battling to align. This was the most valuable time spent which Videos on You Tube, you got me I don’t want to miss another one of your tips. Thank you. ❤️

[@hollywaddell6727]

Yay! Found someone doing a great demo on grainline and straightening method. I learned this in beginner sewing lessons in 4-H many years ago. It is especially important for garment sewing and I have never understood why quilters resist. I'm on the cusp of starting to quilt and I personally want my strips/squares/rectangles to be on the grainline as much as possible to minimize distortion in the finished blocks; thus a more true quilt in the end which will hang or lie more flat. My mom was my go-to anchor on the kitty-corner pull for long yardages but, at nearly 102 years old, she no longer has the strength if a piece is severely off grain. Consequently DH has begun to be initiated into the world of fabric manipulation ;) Hah! I'm a "ripper" but some fabric doesn't rip nicely, like you said. I am one that doesn't mind the time it takes to pull a thread (which can be tedious) because I know the end result will be a more perfect project.

[@patl3013]

By far the best ways to find the straight of grain. The way I learned 50+ years ago.

[@beverlyrichardson3478]

Your second method of finding the straight of grain was exactly how I was taught in my college Home Economics sewing class. Wonderful to see both methods.

[@theresafinn4257]

Haven't seen grain of fabric addressed by many quilters. Thank you.

[@raallen1468]

Many quilters also... will never wash & dry their fabric, to allow for cotton fabric to shrink before cutting, sewing, assembling their quilt, etc. Then.... when a quilt is washed, it wrinkles in various directions, that can never be smoothed out.... Jmo; makes a quilt look 30 yrs years old when it may be only 6 months old....

[@sheilacarroll7143]

This is the best way I've seen to straighten up bad fabric cuts. Thank you so much for sharing. 😊🌹

[@notyourtypicalmidwife9545]

In Dominican Republic they barely use scissors to cut the fabric at the stores, they always tear them apart like this.

[@candiceelrod7219]

This was so helpful, thank you so much!

[@kschallert3569]

Thank you for the valuable information without a bunch of useless talk. Some of these teaching videos have way too much talking in them. It takes 30 minutes to get to the point and most people don't have that much time. At least I don't, so I really appreciate your no-nonsense approach. You're a great teacher! Thank you!

[@raallen1468]

Click "settings" on video screen. Click "Play Back" speed up to 1.5 +++. You can still usually understand the speaker & vid goes faster. Also.... run cursor along red time line to advance via to ignore all the unnecessary gabbing...... 😉😉😁

[@betosombrio3377]

K Schallert I have looked at many many videos; learn to sew man shirt and quilt , only by watching videos, never saw one that was 30 minutes or felt like 30 minutes,

[@florence2095]

Thank you 🙏 it’s been many years since I last sewed anything. It’s amazing how much you forget. Lucky it doesn’t take much to jog your memory. Thank you again. Also I Ike your keep it simple & No waffling 😂

[@traviss6564]

The best video on this subject I've seen! Succinct and to the point, yet intormative. :)

[@vickismallwood2082]

Fabulous information.

[@NationalSewingCircle]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mrsthomsonsvideos450]

Thank you for this most helpful tip. I have puzzled over a long length of material , trying to get it even. This is so simple and in future I won't need to worry how to do it. Many thanks.

[@gail-annpeters-galley7297]

OMG OMG OMG you have helped me soooo much. I now have two easier methods to straighten fabrics

[@FranktheDachshund]

Simple but brilliant.

[@joyevans8454]

thank you so much for your video. I just cut really nice 100% linen fabric for tea towels....could not get them straight no matter what I did. This tip means a lot to me as I have 3 left to sew, so now I can do a better job.

[@melissaflores3776]

Wow I never knew this, at least I haven’t seen it down this way. Thank you

[@NationalSewingCircle]

Glad to help!

[@angiemenapa]

Thank you so much for sharing this! Now I know!

[@jerrygundecker743]

This helps a lot. Thanks.

[@liciayeo-tssttiJ]

Good n helpful tips. Thanks

[@SassyNewYorker]

I keep telling them this at the fabric store and it falls on deaf ears. You'd figure with all the money JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby make they can spare a few inches! My biggest pet peave since I started sewing. Thank you for making this easier as I've tried pulling a thread and it's very frustrating. Sad that we have to pay for fabric that goes to waste though. Thanks again!

[@zahzzieschahtz]

Deep breath

[@ImGinaMarie]

If everyone who walked thru the doors at Joann's wanted them to cut on the straight of grain they wouldn't have any fabric, or employees for that matter, I'm sure the girls would like to oblige you but they value their job. The manufacturers aren't too concerned with properly aligned fabrics on the bolt so unfortunately the only way to fix this is shown here.

[@vallaepic]

Piece Goods use to always give you at least a 1/4 yd over what you asked for for this very reason - at Joann's I usually have to argue with them to make them not measure my piece from the narrowest part of the bad curve!!! I miss Piece Goods!

[@MrsMarybiz]

What an excellent tutorial. Thank you for this.

[@NationalSewingCircle]

Your welcome!

[@thatinspiredme1073]

Thank you for explaining that. I know several people who tear their fabric but I wasn’t sure why nor how it was helpful.

[@ynotann]

Hello and thank you so much for this very informative video. It has helped me so much and I have learned a lot. Best wishes Ann

[@MituDjakarian]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@stew9stew]

before watching this one, I watched many others but I liked this one the best as fabric was smaller size (demo) so it was easier to see how warped fabric was fixed; & it gave two how to fix in less than 5 mins so that was great. Thanks!

[@bajoobiecuzican]

Very helpful. Thank you 🙏

[@NationalSewingCircle]

You’re welcome 😊

[@stacyellisdesign1862]

Very helpful! Thanks so much!

[@shellyscott8275]

Excellent. Thank you 👌😃

[@NationalSewingCircle]

Our pleasure!

[@margieharris5327]

Thanks. I needed this visual help.

[@marietteforget7804]

Thanks a lot for your very explanations ! I have watched this tutorial in the past and needed to look at it again use to be sure. 😎🌸

[@lowec315]

Thanks for those great tips. I never think to tear the fabric like that. Next time i encounter that issue I'll tear!!

[@Dmitriy60]

Thank You very much !

[@soyearold]

Thanks a lot to made my day !!

[@lovelessm]

Very helpful.

[@residentialseal6246]

Wow, thanks!

[@ThomasOrndorff]

Thanks!

[@cynthiafed]

Great lesson! Thank you!

[@kimworkman2425]

Great video. Helps alot

[@fitchery9315]

This saved me! Thank you!

[@fayvallie1170]

Awesome

[@marietteforget7804]

Thank you very much! 😎

[@PJ-il3nh]

I'm a thread puller. So much better to start out with squared fabric. I make the stores tear both ends if they aren't perfect.

[@KouzyFox]

okay this is cool.

[@marylynngranado7006]

I have been told to keep the fold of fabric next to my tummy and the selvage ( that white strip) to the top. I am making my own 5x5 charms and 8x8 squares for quilting so do I cut from the fold up or do I turn the fabric so that the selvage is either facing left or right side of me then cut on some of my fabric there is no white line because of buying a yardsales so I have been cutting where there is less pull I am doing this correct

[@lindamcclellan8434]

Do you this even for baby blankets and crafts…

[@marcysikes]

Thanks for this video! I do tear my fabric but was still having problems evening things up. Stretching corner to corner helps! I forget to buy extra fabric to account for yardage loss after tearing. GOOD reminder. Do you wash your fabric before you tear it? The tearing actually stretches out the fabric in the corners! I am having some difficulty evening up the corners even after stretching from corner to corner as shown in video. Any advice on how to avoid stretching while tearing?? Thank you so uch for your very clear video!!

[@NationalSewingCircle]

+Marcia Sikes Hi Marcia. I wash my fabric before I tear it. This is usually because I pre-wash my fabric before I use it in any way, this way I know when I sit down to finally start working on a pattern all of my fabric folded and prepped in my sewing studio has already been washed. If you are having issues with fabric stretching while tearing you may need to change up methods. Tearing fabric works best on tightly woven fabric, whereas pulling a thread and then cutting along the pulled thread works best for fabrics that are more loosely woven.Hope this helps!

[@cleoburrows]

I always thought one should tear fabric as it skews the edge that is torn. Think I'll try the thread method instead.

[@WendyO1000]

I have found that tearing some fabrics end up stretching the edges which then throw it all off the straight.

[@m.castrellonhernandez8523]

what about a knit fabric ??

[@NationalSewingCircle]

Great question! The 'Ask an Expert’ section is for members of our online community. I would be happy to send your question off to the experts. To get started, please provide the email associated with your paid membership. Thanks!

[@izziey17]

I recently learned to tear the fabric but have noticed that some fabric gets really wavy. Is there a way to avoid this

[@NationalSewingCircle]

Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. By becoming a member, you will have access to our expert knowledge. With your membership you will also receive discounts on products and hundreds of hours of Premium content. If you are interested in becoming a member, please click on the offer below: go.nationalsewingcircle.com/C56874 If you already have a paid membership, please let me know the email address associated with it. Thanks!

[@christinawaister9013]

Does tearing the fabric not distort the edge?

[@TanyaOwens]

Thanks, does this work with scraps too?

[@NationalSewingCircle]

Hello, I do not see that your active Premium customer. Our Ask Expert Program is for those Premium members. Here is a link to our Premium membership at a deep discounted rate: go.nationalsewingcircle.com/C21388

[@christopherduranceau3382]

ya i found your video cause "be sure to get your grains" theme

[@rebeccacimarusti8804]

Can you do this method on any fabric?

[@NationalSewingCircle]

Hello, The methods in this video apply to woven fabrics, not knits. With most knits, even if the ribs are very small, they're still visible, and you can mark and/or cut along one rib to ensure a straight grain. Some woven fabrics, such as a twill weave, can't be straightened using these methods, as it won't tear and the weave is so tight it's difficult to pull out a thread. In those cases, I would recommend measuring from the selvage edge if possible. Thank you for your question. Have a great day, Nicki National Sewing Circle

[@Here12years]

Ive pulled the string before and it was still off!

[@stitchintime4332]

No, that’s the cross grain that you’re cutting. The straight grain or vertical grain follows the selvage edge on the roll of fabric. It’s really important for dressmaking that you know which one is the straight grain!

[@kumada84]

"Straight grain" can be used to refer to both the crosswise and lengthwise grain. The only way to be clear is to use the words "lengthwise" and "crosswise" when referring to the grain line.

[@anaemile5697]

I’ve torn the fabric like you suggested and it still hasn’t straightened:(

[@raallen1468]

Tearing fabric does.... stretch fabric also... Picking out a thread is the best (though tedious) method.

[@zeehuss7275]

Tearing is not the best for thin and soft fabrics.

[@patpatt4085]

Can you do this with brocade?

[@NationalSewingCircle]

+Pat Patt Hi Pat. Yes, because brocade is a woven fabric. However, it does not tend to tear as easy as a cotton fabric, so finding a thread and pulling on it to find the grain line may be the easier option.Hope this helps!

[@lori-jocarroll]

What if the fabric is flannel?

[@NationalSewingCircle]

Hi Lori-Jo. You can treat flannel the same as you do standard cotton fabric when finding the straight of grain. Thanks!

[@frbyd9884]

Just tried it with my 100% cotton fabric and ended up just tearing chunks out of it. Could not get it to tear no matter what I did. Fabric is brand new and washed. :-(

[@frbyd9884]

@Progressive Dictatorship of Canada I was able to pull a string and find it after all! The strings kept breaking but I would find a new one and continue. So happy to finally find the straight of grain! Didn't want to risk tearing it and losing more fabric since I need every inch to make masks for my family. (I did try a deeper cut but the same thing happened-I'm just not willing to lose more fabric. ;-) Happy for having this video!

[@lotlot]

You can’t do method this with all fabrics. Ie furnishing fabrics

[@JClover2]

I don't get it... Can't you just use the scissors to cut and square it? Sorry, newbie over here

[@NationalSewingCircle]

Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. By becoming a member, you will have access to our expert knowledge. With your membership you will also receive discounts on products and hundreds of hours of Premium content. If you are interested in becoming a member, please click on the offer below: go.nationalsewingcircle.com/a19773 Thanks!

[@winnepeterson7740]

This is so wrong! You only pull one way to get it straight. If you pull it both ways, you simply pull it back out of grain!

[@janhulse9518]

I am a beginner and you lost me.especially when I just watched one where they just joined the selvages and squared that off.