Originally Posted by
feline fanatic
You did not mention sending out for LAQ in your original post. Contact your LAQ to see what she wants done. I don't even want selvages cut off of wide backing when I get it. I will often load with the selvage on the leader if I can. Then I am assured a nice straight edge is being loaded on my leaders. Ask you Longarmer what is best for her (or him) before doing any cutting. I also strongly encourage prewashing if this is a batik. You will then need to press it to get out any wrinkles.
totally agree with this. Your long armer will want that selvage to attach to leader and while I like to have the backing press so not a wrinkled mess, don't get anxious if there are creases from folding it--I'll put it on the frame and use a mist (usually the night before I intend to start the quilting)and roll the rollers back and forth to get the fold lines out. With wideback, I prefer to tear it after washing it--seems like it's more "off grain" than regular width due to the double folding and wrapping on the bolt. I've seem it be as much as 10" off straight of grain! So leaving all that extra will be appreciated by your LA.