Quilt Backing Question
 

I have just finished piecing a top and am planning to take it to the LA'er on Monday. I bought 108" wide backing because this is a real time crunch top. I have washed the backing twice, using my front load washing machine with detergent and fabric softener. I dried it totally the first time and partially the second, then hung over a rack to minimize the wrinkles. But today, as I was ironing it, it seemed to have a sticky feeling and is very stiff. And I think it is super heavy for a backing--heavier than the whole of the pieced top in my opinion. Are all wide backings like this? Or was it maybe too big for my machine so that the sizing did not wash out completely?

I am wondering if I should take it to the local laundromat and give it another wash. i really don't want to spend the money on another backing piece but this just does not seem right.

where did you get it from you might try running it through a wash with just a bit of white vinegar and no soap or softner

I used my first wide backing last month, and it was not stiff and heavy after I washed it. So I would say not all wide backings are. If you don't have time to buy another, I guess I would try a third wash.

I picked it up at our local Fabricland. It is their brand.

I find that most of the wide backing are a tiny bit lighter that quilting fabric, I would wash it hot water with detergent and no softner, unless you have an apartment size washer it should wash it fine. What brand is your backing fabric?

Decided that maybe my mind was playing tricks on me. I weighed the sucker. 108" wide by 3 yards weighed 3.2 lb. To me, that just seems like a lot!!

108" wide fabric is about 2.5 X the normal width, so your 3 yards is about the same as 7.5 yards (3 X 2.5) of quilting cotton.
I think there is between 3 and 4 yards of fabric to a pound. If this is correct, your 7.5 yards would weigh somewhere between 2.5 and 1.9 pounds, so your fabric weight does sound high.
:o Need to double check my assumption that there's 3-4 yards/pound, however!
I have a couple pieces of wide backing. Some seems thinner than normal quilting cotton, but I have 2 that are heavier.

I've always had good luck with the wider backings. The ones I use are usually the batik ones or the Robert Kaufmann ones. They're just like nice weight quilting cotton. Are you sure it's 100% cotton?

Maybe you got a drapery fabric or drapery lining.... do a burn test to determine the fiber content.

I ordered 108 wide and 3 yrds from Joanns and wash it, Took to the long armer and whem i picked up my quilt she told me to always have them tear when you order. It was not straight or square and she had to piece it for a quilt 100x 100. It may shrink when you wash it so measure it after you wash it also. My backing did not seem heavy.