Windblown

My LA was not only concerned with size of backing but also with if it had a direction that the pattern ran in the backing, if any. I let her size it, she was happy and gave me the extra back.

AudreyB

I have found that many, if not all, wide backings are crooked. They are not cut on the grain. I tear mine to get a straight grain cut. I load mine on my longarm and I get a much better backing this way.

ManiacQuilter2

I agree, I would tear it after washing it. No need to make sure the backing is square unless I don't know something about LAQ. I always would tear my borders and binding for queen size quilts too.

LilaKay

When I worked at our local quilt shop, we tore the wide backings to keep it on the straight of grain when a customer was purchasing it.

Bubbie

First you're talking BATIK!! I ALWAYS wash my Batiks first (sometimes they need to be washed more than once), they have been known to run, run, run.
Also you will have shrinkage of your backing, so before I would try to cut it again I would wash and dry it.
Also if you're sending it out to a LA, how much overhang do they want? And then are you pulling the backing to the front for binding or are you adding a different binding?
Good luck

quiltin-nannie

I, too, always tear.

AZ Jane

Prepare as normal. Lay top in one corner and cut around, saving as much as possible. Just me. Seems to save bigger pieces than just 4 strips.

feline fanatic

You did not mention sending out for LAQ in your original post. Contact your LAQ to see what she wants done. I don't even want selvages cut off of wide backing when I get it. I will often load with the selvage on the leader if I can. Then I am assured a nice straight edge is being loaded on my leaders. Ask you Longarmer what is best for her (or him) before doing any cutting. I also strongly encourage prewashing if this is a batik. You will then need to press it to get out any wrinkles.

quiltingshorttimer

totally agree with this. Your long armer will want that selvage to attach to leader and while I like to have the backing press so not a wrinkled mess, don't get anxious if there are creases from folding it--I'll put it on the frame and use a mist (usually the night before I intend to start the quilting)and roll the rollers back and forth to get the fold lines out. With wideback, I prefer to tear it after washing it--seems like it's more "off grain" than regular width due to the double folding and wrapping on the bolt. I've seem it be as much as 10" off straight of grain! So leaving all that extra will be appreciated by your LA.

luvstoquilt

I tore my fabric yesterday. It was the only way to make sure it was truly straight! No gasp from here!