Originally Posted by Suedon
I’m getting ready to back a 50" x 70" lap quilt and checked the bolt of 100% cotton white muslin that I bought a while ago. It seemed stiff, so I thought I would prewash it, but the label says “line dry”. So, I’m assuming if I put it in the dryer, it will shrink (a lot?). What would you do? Would you cut 3 yds. - wash it and put it in the dryer; wash it and line dry it; or just iron it and hope for the best? Is 3 yds. enough to cut for this size quilt?
Question???????????? How wide is your fabric? That will determine how much you need for a backing. If it's +/- 45", you'll have to decide how you want to splice it.
If you're into being consertative, I'd cut two lengths of 5' long, then sew 5' sides together after washing for a +/- 5' by +8' piece.
If it's wide backing fabric, you might lay your quilt sideway and only cut a 5' length.
I'd wash it in as hot a water as I could get then machine dry in hot. Get it shrunk now, not later. Maybe even two hot washes.