The finished width of the quilt back prints is 108 to 112 inches wide. After washing, 100% cotton fabrics can have a residual shrinkage of up to 5%. Shrinkage can be minimized by washing the fabric in cold water with a cool dry cycle. A good guideline to determine the size bacing to purchase is: add 5% to the finished size that you need. If you are having your top quilted, be sure to consider the number of inches your quilter needs as overage. For example, we need the backings that we work with to be eight inches wider and eight inches longer than the size of the top. Add the eight inch overage to your top's dimensions, and then add 5% to each side.
Example: the top measures 90" wide x 108" long. Add 8" to each side. The backing needs to be 98" x 116". When 5% is added to each of those figures, to allow for shrinkage and squaring, the needed size is 103" x 122". The 108" width of the fabric is fine for the 103" width of the backing, 122"divided by 36" = 3.38 yards. Place the order for 3 and 1/2 yards. (Our shopping cart is set up in half yard units - enter 7 units for a backing this size.)
LAUNDERING INSTRUCTIONS
Prewash all new fabrics before using them to avoid uneven shrinkage and transfer of colors when the quilt is laundered.
Unfold all fabrics before placing it into the washing machine.
Separate the fabrics into piles of same-colored fabrics.
Wash light colored fabrics in cold or lukewarm water with a phosphate free detergent.
Soak dark colored fabrics individually in cold water for at least half an hour to set the dyes and then machine wash in cold water with a phosphate free detergent.
Tumble dry fabrics in a cool dry cycle. To avoid wrinkling, do not put more than six yards of fabric in the dryer at one time.
Quilts made with both light and dark colored fabrics should only be washed in cold water.
LAUNDERING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIMBLEBERRIES FABRIC
The dyes used in these fabrics are reactive dyes; therefore, colors are stable and will not release any excess dye. Prewashing fabric is not necessary. If you choose to prewash, wash in cold water and damp dry. Complete the drying process by air drying. This washing and drying method will retain the finish of the fabric and will meet the standards of quilters who do not want to prewash fabrics, and those who do.
Wide Fabrics have many uses:
wall coverings for antique homes, backdrops for photo shoots and stage productions, pergola covers for weddings, sun blocks for beach parties, skirting for bedding, odd sized bedding for motor homes, pet bedding for animal shelters, canopies for birthday parties, nursing home privacy curtains, curtains or linings for sliding doors or showers, party tents, or banners for school graduations and celebrations.
It can be used to make quilts for service men and women returning home from war. Slip covers, custom boat interiors, tarps, wind screens, covering delicate machinery, projection screens, and printing projects can be made from wide fabrics.
The wide fabric is also ideal to use to make duvet covers, screening for special events or trade shows, banquet tablecloths, backing for area rugs, sheets, drapery panels, panels for pre-school students to paint, costuming, and screening and blankets for disaster survivors.
