What to do when design on fabric is not printed straight

I am using a fabric for a border on a quilt and the design, which is sort of rectangles in a straight line (Anna Griffin Blythe--French ticket fabric) and after squaring off the fabric, I discovered the design is not printed on the fabric in a straight line.  So should I cut it according to the design or according to the "straight" edge.  I am going to have to piece it, which makes it more difficult.  The border is 8" wide, if that makes a difference.
Thanks,
Sharon

I'd say this depends on if your fabrics have been prewashed and shrunk. If so and you'd like an even border then go with the design, but if you haven't shrunk them yet, I'd go with the fabric. This will ensure it shrinks evenly on the grain aligned with your quilt.

I'm still new, so I could be wrong. that's just my gut instinct.

Isn't that frustrating, especially when you buy "good" fabric??  Have you prewashed it? It does make a difference - you want to prewash EVERYTHING. Not only will it shrink and bleed, you want to get rid of those nasty chemicals used in processing and fumigating. BLECH.

In the end, I usually cut it with the pattern. It's not the "best" way, but it looks better.

If you can afford it, go buy something else.

Yes, I prewashed it.  I thought about buying something else, but I already have the side border sewn on using this fabric--it did not matter that much about whether or not to cut it straight or according to the design, but the top and bottom borders are more noticeable.  The fabrics I used for the quilt, mostly Anna Griffin Blythe, are already discontinued, so I am pretty much out of luck picking a different fabric unless I don't match the sides with the top and bottom!   I do have enough of another fabric that is already in the body of the quilt and I could put it on the top and bottom.  Is that too wacky?

I would suggest going with the design. It's always troubling to the eye (at least for me, who has major OCD ) when the print of a fabric is not straight. I would not use a different fabric for the top and bottom because I think you would loose the look of the border if you used something else...

HTH & Good Luck,
Kerri

I think it depends on how the quilt will be used.  While cutting the borders on the straight of grain is always better (e.g. easier to piece, easier to quilt, hangs straighter) if the quilt is just going to be a cuddler, then it won't matter.  But if it is going to be on display anywhere (on a bed, draped over a chair, or especially hanging on a wall) then I would choose a different fabric for the border.