The Sewing Place

Softening up cotton

Louweasel

Softening up cotton
« on: September 20, 2018, 10:42:58 AM »
I’ve got a large piece of black cotton to back a dark coloured quilt but it is a bit stiff and hard - will a good machine-wash soften it up? Is there anything in particular I should use - I don’t normally use fabric softeners but I could get some Comfort or whatever. What do people advise/recommend? It will be hung to dry (no tumble drier and no washing line so it’ll be hung over a clothes horse) and is a normal woven 100% cotton, not a twill/canvas or anything.

HenriettaMaria

Re: Softening up cotton
« Reply #1 on: September 20, 2018, 13:11:33 PM »
I think any way you wash it is going to end up stiff once it's hung to dry.

Especially in a hard water area!  Launderette is probably the way forward but finish the raw ends with a zigzag or overlock first to stop excessive fraying and tangling.

Louweasel

Re: Softening up cotton
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2018, 16:38:29 PM »
Hmm. I’ve given it a wash with fabric softener so I’ll see how it dries, but if it’s still stiff I’m pretty sure my OH’s washer is also a dryer (he doesn’t use it much for that) so I could run it through that, if that’s what will work the best. I’ve got a couple of those dryer balls from when I had a washer-dryer.