Help in Ripping the Tartan Material

[ChrisRossKin]

Has anyone ever encountered this problem?
My wife is good with fabric, in fact manages a shop and deals with it everyday.
However last night we had begun laying out, marking, then started to rip the material yet it would not budge!
It it 16 oz. strome tartan from Lochcarron, no doubt good stuff, but it just started to pull the threads some.
We did not want to mess up such high quality of fabric.
Any ideas or do just do we need to eat more wheaties?
Thanks lads and lassies.
Chris

[HeathBar]

They way I do it is to make a straight, one inch cut with scissors. The grip each side of the cut as firmly as possible and give a quick, jerk-like rip. Then when I have enough room to grip it with the whole hand I do so and go for longer rips. Each time moving my hands up to the point of the split. You've got to put a little umph into the rips. It will come out straight. I'm sure it has something to do with the twill weave. Then there's the aroma of ripped wool tartan.

[thescot]

For the sake of us dummies who don't understand any of this:

Why are you ripping the material? Why can't you use scizzors?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[Scotcop]

For the sake of us dummies who don't understand any of this:

Why are you ripping the material? Why can't you use scizzors?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[HeathBar]

For the sake of us dummies who don't understand any of this:

Why are you ripping the material? Why can't you use scizzors?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Ever try making a 60 inch, clean, straight cut with scissors? Just because a tartan has stripes and lines, doesn't mean you'll be able to use one to keep the cut straight. Your split point could be in a solid field.

[thescot]

Thank you.

Carry on.

[chasem]

Second what HeathBar says.

Make a cut with scissors as straight as you can for an inch or so. Hard-quick pulls will tear the fabric perfectly straight.

[fluter]

You might clip a couple of inches, in case it's a tuck selvedge.

It does take some power, so possibly you just did not put enough strength into it. Some kiltmakers say they don't usually rip 16-ounce fabric, so scissors are allowable.

However ripping usually will produce a straighter, cleaner edge. You'll still have gently to pick out a couple of threads from each side, but probably fewer than with a cut.

[Tartan Hiker]

You'll still have gently to pick out a couple of threads from each side, but probably fewer than with a cut.

And that's another piece of the answer to Jim's question. Ripped edges don't fray like a cut edge would, so you lose far fewer threads.

[ChrisRossKin]

Thanks for all of you who responded to my question.
I will try one more time, use some umph!!, as suggested
and if that does not work, will just cut it.
For those who questioned my hesitation, I am going by
the instructions in "The Art of Kiltmaking," where it is
recommended to tear the material to make a clean edge.
They sent me an email today and said to just cut it if
need be.
Thanks again
Chris