eilers12634

Does anyone know how to soften stiff backing fabric. I ordered some from Marshall Dry Goods and it is really stiff. Tried washing it twice with fabric softener but it didn't help much

patricej

when it comes to backing fabric, stiff is a good thing.
there's nothing worse than flippy floppy fabric back there, risking wrinkles, puckers, and who knows what else.
since i always starch the heck out of my fabrics, stiff means less work.

(if you plan to use basting spray to fuse the batting and back, i recommend you was the backing once more to get rid of the fabric softener.)

also, it will soften over time.

FWLover

Have had clients get wide backing from a particular store that came in precut sizes. It is less expensive but it will never get softer. Have tried everything. I think it may be because of quality of cotton or extremely high thread count.

juliasb

That's what I was thinking was the thread count on this fabric has to be very high which is what you would want for a backing. I it has already been washed then washing it again would not do much good except as said above to get out the softener residue. It should be a good thought to have purchased high quality fabric that should last for many many years.

Irishrose2

I had a similar one from Quiltedtwins, but it has softened with handling. It's a queen/king so it has been handled a lot. I'm not concerned about it on the bed at all, if it ever gets there.

cashs_mom

I, too, starch the living daylights out of my backing before sandwiching the fabric. It's much easier to get a smooth backing that way. The backing I used on a quilt I made for my husband was quite stiff but softened up nicely after it was quilted and washed.

ctrysass2012

You could try soaking it in the washer over night with fabric softner in the water. The next day wash as usual. I have done this with my husbands new jeans & it does soften them.

quiltingshorttimer

I find that stiffer wideback is because of heavy dye--try soaking it in hot water with some color catchers to see if it's releasing dye.