one piece large backing
 

I purchased backing material for a queen sized quilt in the large sized backing, one piece. Since all the rest of the fabric in the quilt has been washed, should I wash this backing? I have always washed all my fabrics before using. It would be very hard to iron such a large piece after washing and drying. I would like to keep it as one piece, so don't want to cut into smaller pieces to back this quilt. My question is, should I use it as is or wash & dry and struggle with the ironing? Any suggestions.

I would wash it. If it shrinks unevenly later, it may make your quilt wonky

The way I iron a large backing is to fold in half. Iron one side without pressing the fold. Open up enough to get to the fold,iron that and then refold, turn over and iron the other side.

How do you plan to do the quilting? I quilt on a longarm, and I always wash my fabrics. I take them out of the dryer before they get very wrinkled, and then I stretch the backing on the frame. If there are wrinkles, a spritz of water and a tightening of the frame get them out quickly. If you're using a longarm, you can try this method. If you're sending the quilt to a longarmer, check with her to see if she's willing to do this. It does take a little more time to let the backing dry before advancing it and spritzing again.

I was all my wide backing, and if I have DH help me fold it right away, get very little wrinkling.

I've found it shrinks up quite a bit, and will straighten back out if it was stretched off grain while being rolled on to the bolt (and they very often are).

I can fit about 7 yards of wide backing in my washer and dryer. I buy it in bulk when on sale.

I use wide backing all the time. I do tend to prewash them- mainly because they often have large- deep set wrinkles in them due to being folded & wrapped on the bolt. I prewash as usual then put in dryer, taking it out when *Almost* dry. Then I drape it over my frame to finish drying. Laying it out before it’s completely dry usually keeps it fairly wrinkle free so I don’t have to iron it.
When you remove it from the washer give it a good shake, - fluff , so it doesn’t try to dry in a big ball. This method has worked for me for many years. I don’t think I’ve pieced a back in at least 12 years.

I always wash all of my fabrics and since you have washed the fabrics for the top I think it would be best to wash the backing fabrics. I agree with "Eva Knight" on a good way to iron it.

That works for me, too.

I wash all my fabrics before using. Backing fabrics also. I dry each piece over a yard by itself, remove after dryer runs on cool down and immediately fold with a ruler. I only have to iron a few places.

I wash everything. If it is going to shrink, I want it do shrink before I put it in a quilt.