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?

I'd pre-wash and machine dry. If it shrinks you want to know that before you put in on the back of the quilt.

I would definitely wash it and put it in the dryer to preshrink it. How wide is it? That will determine how much to cut.

how wide is your fabric

If it's going to shrink, I would rather have it do it BEFORE I use it in my quilt. So I would wash it and put it in the dryer.

Is it regular width (44"?) If so, you will need to sew two pieces together. Since you're not sure how much it will shrink, I'd probably cut about 3-1/4 yards. Before allowing for shrinkage, you will end up with a backing of about 58" x 84". If you think it might shrink a lot, AND you're having a longarmer quilt it (we like 6 - 8" larger for the backing), then I would cut a 3-1/2 yard piece.

ditto

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.

Completly agree...

I would suggest cutting 3 1/2 yards to allow for shrinkage in the wash/dry process. Better too much than too little. I see AndiR beat me to it. :)

How wide is it?