How in the world do I iron this?
 

I have been working on a quilt top for 3+ years. It has taken me this long due to the fact that I cannot leave it in/on my workspace, I must pick it up at the end of each day. You can imagine how many times it has been folded in the past few years. Finally, I am ready to work on the backing. The quilt top now measures 112" x 112"--a king-size one. How am I going to get the folds out? How can I press some of the stubborn ones? Any & all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

i agree with Tartan

Ummm... how much would the dry cleaners charge to press/steam it for you?
I stick to small quilts, but that's what I'd do and would bring 3 wrapping paper tubes so I could carefully roll it once pressed/steamed rather than folding it.

Check into buying a garment steamer at one of the big box stores. They are not expensive and work great for taking wrinkles and folds out of clothing. You could also lay your quilt out on a bed rather than try to wok with it on a narrow ironing board.

If you spray baste it may not be a problem- if it has fold creases, not wrinkles. If its wrinkles then it needs to be pressed. But I have sandwiched tops with folds in them. I spray baste in sections and smooth the top as I go. The adhesive holds it flat. Then to be on the safe side I add a few safety pins here and there so there is no stress on the adhesive as I wrestle it around on my DSM.

You could hang it outside on a line and spritz with water. If the iron reaches steam vertically down folds.

I too agree with Tartan. Take your time because pressing it correctly will make the quilting look so much better.

You could try adding a little vinegar to your spray bottle. It should help pressing out stubborn creases.

Thanks for all the suggestions! I knew I could count on the board. I think I will combine some of your ideas. Lay it on a bed, lower my ironing board to the mattress level of that bed, use a mister, and press it face down. Thanks again to all

Once you do some of the wise tips given so far and it gets quilted, you shouldn't see any more creases, we hope.

I agree with GingerK. Vinegar water spritzed on the folds will really help remove the creases. Sharonve

You won't have to lower your ironing board to mattress level since your mattress would alleviate the weight/. You don't need a backache. I agree with the vinegar tip. I use it all the time.

\I have two plywood boards 4'by60" which I lay over my two ironing boards at my correct height. I can press anything I need to on this wide surface. I store one board under my sofa cushions and the other stands behind a door in my sewing room. I have sat and repaired antique quilts, put tulle over worn blocks and generally used it for a variety of other problems.

I read somewhere that when you fold a quilt you fold it on the diagonal, this way there are no fold lines.

I would also suggest that if you have to fold it again before quilting it is something that I have done before. I place the batting on it and then fold, that way the fold will not be as sharp..

I don't have any hints but I am dying to see the quilt!

I would press it like explained already but I use pool noodles to wrap quilts around while waiting to be quilted so as not to get fold lines again. Works great!