Length wise grain - huh??

Hi, I'm currently reading a pattern which is asking for the borders to be cut on the "length wise grain" and I'm not sure what this means. Can someone enlighten me please? Many thanks June x

Hi Jas,

The lengthwise grain is down the length of the selvages..not across the width...the fabric when cut that way does not strech and I always use it for my borders, sashing and bindings.

Cheerio,

Marlene

Ah ha! Now that makes sense! Thanks Marlene x

Hi Jas,

Thought you might like quite a handy tip for the future, if you need to use a "lengthwise grain" piece of fabric and the selvedge is no longer on your fabric. If you gently pull on a piece of your fabric - first in one direction and then in the other, the lengthwise grain, as Marlene said, will basically not stretch whereas the crosswise grain will have some give in it. It's nothing like the give you get from a bias cut piece of fabric but still a noticeable amount compared to the lengthwise grain. Hope this helps for the future.

Love Margaret xx

Thanks Margaret, that's a great help