Some years ago a friend gave me some (a lot) of fabric when she found out that I was a sewer. Story short - some of it is very stiff, curtain fabric I think. Says 100% cotton and I guess it has had something used in the manufacturing process to make it stiff. Does anyone know of anything I could do to maybe dissolve the added agent and soften this fabric up? Thanks

Have you washed it? Washing with detergent, warm water, and adding some vinegar usually does the trick. Unless it is that very heavy cotton, like canvas, that will soften up a bit too but not as much

If it's the heavier cotton was it on heavy like you would wash jeans. And fragrance and dye free dryer cloths.

Thanks ladies. I will give it a go.

If it is drapery or upholstery fabric you can make very nice tote bags.

Home Dec fabric is usually a bit heavier than normal 100% cotton if that is the fabric you are talking about. I don't think it will soften up that much even with washing. As Mom-6 says, they do make great totes.

Coke is supposed to soften stiff denim. Don't know it it would stain or not.

Coke? Would club soda work?