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.

Backings are different weights, I just use them. They are always 100% cotton.

Not all widebacks are the same weights/quality.
I've had some that are a good heavy weight ... some that are quite flimsy.

Coming from Fabricland, I would first question ... are you sure it is 100% cotton? and was it really a quilting weight?

Fabricland have been coming out with all sorts of variations lately. Recently I bought some regular width that seemed like it had a lot of sizing, and like others before it, would wash out and be a little on the light side, though acceptable for the end purpose. After washing, it definitely was not as stiff, but still more than expected. Plus it had a polyester feel. Of course, I could not go back and read the label on the bolt, being that I had bought the bolt end. Change of plans for that fabric ... will be used somewhere, sometime!

I used to be able to purchase at Fabricland, with caution and still buy comparable quality to an LQS.
Lately, I have been very disappointed in the quality and what they have on hand.
I am definitely not a fabric snob ... but honestly they are going to have to up their game, to keep my business.
Knowing your location ... in the future, it's worth the drive to Len's (again, shop cautiously) ... but great selection of many of the same you find in the LQS'.

Connecting Threads has beautiful backing. I washed it first and there was little shrinkage. Love their fabrics!

Yeah QuiltE, I'm planning to make the trek to Lens tomorrow. Grrrrr....really don't have time for this but the quilt will be a wedding gift so want it to be right.

GingerK ... another possibility, on your way, check out I was in Undercover Quilts-Fergus. I was there yesterday and they had a lot of widebacks. Len's-Guelph has quite a few too, but probably not as wide of a selection. Really depends on what sort of a backing you want. I seldom buy widebacks ... just don't find what I want, so put seams in it. Another would be Creative Sisters-Kitchener. A further drive for you, but probably the best selection of all ... and of course, another Len's nearby!! Before you head to Len's don't forget to print the coupons from their site ... 20% off if you empty a bolt (regular is 15%) and perhaps others that might be of interest to you. Good Luck!

If it feels sticky it may still have soap in it. Front load washers use about half as much soap as you think they might. Maybe just rinse it with some vinegar water, spin cycle.

Update. I decided to bite the bullet and buy more backing from a different source. It was also labelled 100% cotton. I washed and dried it in the same way as the original piece. What a difference!! After ironing, the new fabric has a lovely crisp feel. It was not difficult to iron and never felt at all sticky. Plus, it weighs about half of what the first backing weighed!

I think I'll take the original back to the store and ask their opinion. See if anyone else has complained about it.

I am really puzzled by what has happened to you. I've purchased the wide backing and it, at least to me, seemed to be lighter than my quilt top. It was good fabric, but it didn't seem heavy. When I first started quilting I tried using an old queen size sheet for the backing and oh what a nightmare, never do that again.

Glad it worked out for you at Len's.
I bought all my DJ background fabric there and am quite happy with it too.
Will be interested to hear what reaction you get when you go to Fabricland.