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  • Really stiff backing Please help

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    Old 03-11-2021, 06:48 AM
      #11  
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    I really think if it was sold as 100% cotton, it should not be that stiff. I would try taking it back see what they say. Even though it has been washed, they may let you exchange it or something.
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    Old 03-11-2021, 06:54 AM
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    I've ended some extra wide fabric that was 100% cotton, and I think it was sold more as drapery liner or as an under fabric for upholstery. I used some for the curtains I just made for DH. They are pieced and quilted, but not intended to ever be used as blankets so stiff is fine.
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    Old 03-11-2021, 07:06 AM
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    I feel your pain. I bought some 'stiff" fabric and washed it. It helped just a little but you cannot tell it has been washed. Hopefully a second washing will help you.
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    Old 03-11-2021, 07:10 AM
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    White on white can be stiff due to how much “ paint” is added to the surface to create the pattern. Repeated washing may help but it will probably only get softer by breaking up the “ paint”.
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    Old 03-11-2021, 07:17 AM
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    I know for a fact that washing with vinegar will soften things that are very stiff up nicely. And the vinegar does not effect the fabric or the color.
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    Old 03-11-2021, 07:30 AM
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    It it's cotton fabric for quilting then vinegar will soften it. I have had some stiff quilt back fabric before. I sprayed it with vinegar until wet and then washed it in hot water and detergent.
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    Old 03-11-2021, 07:45 AM
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    Originally Posted by OurWorkbench
    I just googled "soften stiff fabric". One of the suggestions was to soak with vinegar and wash with warm water. Another suggestion was to soak with baking/washing soda. Another was to use dryer balls.

    Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
    That was my first thought, to wash with vinegar.
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    Old 03-11-2021, 07:52 AM
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    I have had two from the same seller arriver very stiff. Neither was a white on white and neither softened with washing. The orange one does seem to be softening a little as it's handled being quilted, but the blue one never did.
    What did I do? Used them and upped my price on the next mail order backing.
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    Old 03-11-2021, 07:55 AM
      #19  
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    Originally Posted by Macybaby
    I've ended some extra wide fabric that was 100% cotton, and I think it was sold more as drapery liner or as an under fabric for upholstery. I used some for the curtains I just made for DH. They are pieced and quilted, but not intended to ever be used as blankets so stiff is fine.
    I was wondering about that.

    I would like to see picture of the curtains you made . Also did you just do a casing for the top?

    Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
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    Old 03-11-2021, 10:14 AM
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    Janey, I bound them like any other quilt. The curtain rods have rings with clips, and those clip on the binding to hold it up. I hang all my quilts the same way. They are much more like "wall hangings" than what you'd think of as "curtains" .
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