I just washed 5 yards of 108" backing with no problems. I set the machine on low agitation with a short wash cycle so it does not tie it into a big knot.

I did have my husband help fold it - and we had to go across the hall and use both rooms to get far enough away from each other to stretch it out.

When I did the batik shirts, I cut each bolt in half -so about 8 yards of 45" fabric.

BTW - If I toss a large cotton sheet in the dryer, dry on med/low heat, run the cool down cycle and remove and fold promptly, I have not need to iron the fabric.

If I leave the towel out - most often I have a wrinkly mess when I take it out of the dryer. I've even rewashed a time or two because I forgot the towel and didn't want iron.

Do you have a large-capacity washing machine? Mine before I moved (Kenmore series90) held 10 yards. I set it for slow spin, and hung the fabric on the clothesline. If there is any breeze at all, it needs little or no ironing.

When I have new fabric that needs to be washed, whether in large pieces or not, I serge across the ends to avoid raveling. That way, it's not necessary to clean up the raveled mess that results otherwise. I don't have a problem washing large yardages -- I'd rather keep my options open for the purpose I use the fabric. Just MHO!
Jeanette