I always wash my fabric before using it.. It comes from the car straight to the laundry room, after it's washed, dried and neatly folded it can go join the others waiting to be selected.

My question is how in the world do you wash 4 yards of 108" wide fabric? I don't want to cut it until I know [i]where[i/] it will need cut. I'm using it for a backing for a king sized quilt.

Do you machine dry that much? at home? or a commercial laundry with one of those huge dryers? How do you keep it from being one giant ball of wrinkles?

I would wash it in a commercial washer, and half way dry it in the dryer, finish drying it with the iron :D:D:D

I think I would use a comercial washer and dryer if you think it won't fit in your home machines. However, you might want to think about the comercial dryer, they do get how. Do you have a outdoor clothes line that you might could use? If it's white, why do you really need to wash it, it won't fade, unless you just prefer to wash every fabric, because of sizing. I will not ever use a fabric that is colored anymore without washing it first. Ask me how I know to do that :( lol Gerbie

I like amma's idea about the half drying part, sounds like a real winner there. Gerbie

Yes, this fabric is colored.. and dark colored to boot. I don't think I'd dare put it on my quilt without washing it. The quilt is BIG and if it ever was washed the backing would shrink I'm sure.. so I'm prewashing, somehow..

The commercial washer and part way dry sounds like a good plan... thank you.

When I buy yardage, I sew the cut ends together. Stick it in the washer so the "hole" goes around the agitator. Helps to keep it from twisting too much. You have LOTS of fab but if you sew it together, it will be easier to manage.

Thanks Julie.. I'd never thought of doing that.. I'll try it... sounds like a good idea!

I take long lengths of fabric to the commercial laundry and dry them in the big dryers. My home washer and dryer just isn't adequate for big chunks of fabric.

The one I used in Dade City, Florida, had various size washers, and the dryers could be set for low, permanent press, or hot, and cost 25 cents for 8 minutes of drying time.

That's probably the best bet... Take it where they have a BIG machine. :-)

I don't have any trouble washing a wide quilt back- it's not much bigger than a flat sheet. Shaking out good before putting in dryer and again about halfway through will keep it from twisting up on itself. Don't let it get bone dry and it will have less wrinkles.

Hi bizybess...

Again.. I hadn't thought of that.. People wash king sized sheets in their washers all the time.. This is some bigger... but I have a large capacity washer and dryer. May be just fine.

Thanks for reminding me of that fact! :-)

Judie, I would suggest that you buy some retayne and use that when you wash your big piece. If you can't find that maybe some white vinegar in the wash, and I think I would wash it at least twice, since it is dark colored. If you are washing it in your home washer, you can always check to see if it faded out any in the water. I would wash it in hot water to set the dye, if possible. If you can get retayne, use it. I prewashed some dark colors for a queen size quilt I made my daughter, but I washed them in cold water, and thought they would be o.k. I didn't know about retayne then. Well after the quilt was finished and was washed for the first time some of the dark green faded. I am still working to try and get the excess dye out. It is slowly but surely coming out with some dry powder I bought at Hancock's. Goog luck. Gerbie

I have a large tub Kenmore Washer/dryer. I just washed 6 yards of 108" fabric!!! No problems!

Why didn't I think of that! Very good idea....

Ditter

I would take it to the commercial washer and leave it for the day for them to wash. Ours will even iron it for you so it is ready to go, small price to pay to eliminate the hassle :)

Oh my.. having someone else iron all that fabric does sound tempting.. humm. may look into that..

I'll look for Retayne too.. sounds like something I should have on my laundry shelf!

My mom used to have a Mangle.. that thing was probably dangerous, but oh man could you iron big things easily.. That's probably what they use in commercial operations.

Thanks for more good input.. I'm going to use it all.

I use large safety pins to pin the selvage edges together AFTER I have accordian folded the piece into a comfortable size to handle. Pin through all the layers, about 2-3' apart. Wash, Shake it out holding on to the pinned edge, put in standard dryer, dry --I set mine for the extra cool-down option. Shake it out--it comes out smooth. I do not usually iron until I'm ready to use, and it often doesn't even need to be pressed. I did a 4 yard piece of 108" backing in my home washer --often add a bathtowel to help balance the load. This works for any size piece of fabric. No twists, and very few wrinkles.

I would use my clothes line to dry, but not everyone has one.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions.. I did wash and dry my fabric today.. put it over the agitator... shook it out.. put it in the dryer.. took it out to keep it from getting too dry on the outside and not on the inside.. Worked just great.. It came out smooth, without wrinkles, and now it's ready to go on the back of a quilt that's been waiting!

I think a one of the reasons it came out so nice is that it's one of those very nice fabrics.. has body, is woven straight, and the dye is well set, so it doesn't bleed.. Over all I'm a happy quilter with a beautiful backing ready to go..

Thanks again for all your suggestions.. what a group!