I am sooooooo perplexed. UGH! Okay, so all the fabric I purchase comes off the bolt selvage to selvage with that being width, and the fabric to fabric is length. Right?? Well in any event, my aunt gave me a bunch of fabric...... don't know how long she's had it, but it's done the opposite! So it's folded long ways instead of wide. UGH. I'm going to try to take a picture with my phone. It's hard to explain. But basically I've got a a REEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyy yy long piece of fabric that isn't that wide.
I know I'm not saying it right now. See, I've got myself all jumbled up. But I can't figure out how to fold and cut this monstrosity!

Can you just refold it selvage to selvage?

Okay so the way it is, it's 107". If I refold it selvage to selvage that'll double it! But the total selvage to selvage is 45. So is this basically 6 yards of fabric that she just folded weird??

I think that's exactly what it is - a really long piece of fabric!

I sometimes fold mine that way after I've prewashed it because it's easier and I know I have to iron it anyway, so I'll fold it properly after ironing. I only do that if it's a very long piece.

I think I might be confused, 107" would be 3 yards... I see, 107" folded over, so it would be 214" around 6 yards. I would refold selvedge to selvedge.

It's still folded in half at 107", so it's really 214".

lol. Thanks you guys. You really made it so much more simple than my mind would let me. lolol.

If it is older fabric it is probably 36" wide material has only be 42-44" for the last 10yr or so. The pattern is going directional so it is probably all the fabric from a bolt just use it as needed following the direction of the pattern for your needed pattern.

The selvage to selvage or width of fabric will be slightly stretchy, the grain with the length doesn't stretch. Older fabric was sometimes only 36" wide. If you need to wash it you might try cutting it into 3 yd lengths. It will wash and dry much easier.

Does it really matter?
Fold it whatever way you feel is best for whatever you are doing with those cows!

when i first started, i did that, too. when i reorganized my stash, they were all refolded like bolts in the fabric shop

You know, I guess in the long run it doesn't, but I couldn't figure it out what direction the fabric was and since it's directional it was confusing me on which way to cut it.

No it probably doesn't matter, but I am just one of those 'must know the way it works' kind of people.

And I did NOT need 6 yards of cow fabric. lolol! I barely need one! haha.

I do that sometimes after pressing to avoid the center crease.

3 yards = 108 inches- so if you have apiece that is 107"x45" it is an inch short of being 3 yards-

It'd make a great backing for a fun quilt!

I think it would be cute backing fabric!

Someone else can correct me, but when it is folded weird like you mentioned, is that a 'flat fold'?

Awhile back some of the members did a farm block type swap, maybe one of them would be interested in it for a backing? Just a thought. Or you could make some appliqué animals yourself. http://www.freeapplique.com/barnyard...spatterns.html

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-119963-1.htm

You've got enough there until the "cows come home"...LOL

It would make a cute backing for several fun quilts. I would refold it and save it for some fun quilts in the future. Since it is 6 yds. it will make several backings.
Sue

There are two ways to tell the warp (length) from the weft (width). One is to look for the selvedges - that's the weft.

If the selvedges have been cut off another way to tell is to stretch a bit between your fingers. The weft usually will have more stretch than the warp.

With that much yardage, if you wanted to use it for sashing or a border, I'd take advantage of cutting it lengthwise.

If your going to cut it into smaller pieces, then it really won't matter how you cut it.

Moooooooooo!!!

I would use it as a backing on a double sided quilt.

If you buy flat fold bundles from a manufacturer they come folded that way. I just refold. No problem!

If you are looking to make backing -measure the length of the back and cut cut another piece the same way then split in lengthwise and sew each half onto the long center piece-on 44 wide it wil give you 88 wide when done minus seams and selvadges-hope the makes sense