stupid questions about wide backing fabric
 

Okay, so I have this ginormous piece of fabric for backing of a queen-sized quilt. If I put it in the dryer for a bit, will it "flatten" some of the folds/wrinkles? I have a pretty big ironing board, but still not big enough for this fabric. Any thoughts/ideas would be appreciated!

Thanks!

It helps if you mist it a bit to relax some of the wrinkles before putting in the dryer. I know some toss a few damp face cloths in to help create a steam. A lot depends on just how "hard" those wrinkles are. I do iron mine on a regular ironing board... just repositioning a lot.

I just finished ironing and starching the backing for a king size quilt. I believe this makes a big difference in a smooth back when I'm quilting. I have a wide (18") board and just take it a section at a time. Not fun, but it makes a difference.

Good luck.

Thanks for your advice, I know you're right. I think I'll mist it, toss it in the dryer to hopefully get the bigger wrinkles out and then iron the heck out of it. My project for tomorrow...

I've stripped my bed and used my mattress as a huge ironing board, kinda low but got the job done.

If you still have wrinkles when you remove the fabric from the dryer, spray the wrinkles with Mary Ellen's Best Press. That is the best thing that I have found for removing stubborn wrinkles. I have only a regular sized ironing board; but by pressing in sections, I iron oversized, king size backing on it. I don't enjoy the ironing; but it is doable.

I use my dinning room table. Covered with a mattress pad and sheet, held down with clamps. Still have to move it a couple of times but works great.

As a longarm quilter, and a prolific home quilter, I gotta say.. if you don't iron it you'll probably regret it. Those wrinkles will creep in and give you grief later and you'll wish you had forced yourself to bite that bullet and make yourself just go ahead and do it, even though it's a pain in the patootie! :(

Ironing the backing is my least favorite part of quilting!! Luckily, I like all the other parts. :) I just reward myself for the ironing...usually with more fabric....

Dina

You don't say if you're quilting on a longarm or a DSM. I have a friend who quilts about 30 quilts a month on the two machines she owns, mostly for charity. She doesn't have time or energy to iron backings. When she gets one that is badly wrinkled, she'll load it in the evening, spritz it with water, and let it hang to release the wrinkles.

If you don't have a frame, then I guess I'd go the damp dryer route. :)