dumb flannel-prewashing question
#1
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NY
Posts: 301
dumb flannel-prewashing question
Hi you all...I haven't worked with baby flannel until now except a couple of raggy quilts. I'm getting ready to make a few of those adorable self-binding receiving blankets and have been reading up on pre-washing the flannel, but I have a very DUMB question: when folks say they prewash flannel three times, does that mean wash/dry, wash/dry, wash/dry, or just put through the wash cycle three times and dry once.
I know this may seem really dumb to some of you, but I'm very literal and don't know which to do. I'm currently in wash cycle one. Do I dry first or just wash again?
Thanks in advance
I know this may seem really dumb to some of you, but I'm very literal and don't know which to do. I'm currently in wash cycle one. Do I dry first or just wash again?
Thanks in advance
#2
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,659
I think most people mean wash-dry, wash-dry, wash-dry.
The drying process (especially in a hot dryer) helps with the shrinking process.
I do know what you mean by being very literal - I am, too - and sometimes I ask what other people consider to be very "you have GOT to be kidding" types of questions.
The drying process (especially in a hot dryer) helps with the shrinking process.
I do know what you mean by being very literal - I am, too - and sometimes I ask what other people consider to be very "you have GOT to be kidding" types of questions.
#4
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 11,276
You are trying to stop it from shrinking, which often happens in the dryer. I wash until it stops shrinking. Measure both with width and length, wash, dry then re measure. If it's the same size as when you started, you are good to go. It usually takes 2 times, but sometimes 3
#5
I've also read the posts that say to wash and dry 3 times, but I haven't done it. I wash once in hot water, and dry with heat and that can result in quite a bit of shrinkage. However for receiving blankets I can see that you might want to get rid of all the lint, which happens mostly in the dryer, so I can see the wisdom of washing and drying more than once. I guess it might also depend on the quality of the flannel. Maybe if you don't see any more lint with the second wash/dry, you could stop there?
#6
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
I've been working with flannels for 50 years and have Never prewashed more than once. Every quilt has turned out just fine. Seems like washing over and over before even using it would weaken, wear out the flannel long before necessary and probably causes the " pilling" people complain about-- I've never had that problem either, but have seen it.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,131
I've been working with flannels for 50 years and have Never prewashed more than once. Every quilt has turned out just fine. Seems like washing over and over before even using it would weaken, wear out the flannel long before necessary and probably causes the " pilling" people complain about-- I've never had that problem either, but have seen it.
#9
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Sunny Arizona
Posts: 476
I have made those blankets, and I have sewn them before washing. Instead of 40" square and 30" square, I made them 43" square and 33" square. I washed them when they were done and they came out fine. You really can't made them any bigger than 43" and 33" so they will come out the same size as washing the fabric first. Maybe bigger.
One hint though -- I found that things sewed better if I kept the fabric oriented the same direction. Mud?? Sew the WOF(stretchy) of the inside square to the WOF(stretchy) of the outside square. And of course the LOF of the inside to the LOF of the outside. I also left the turning opening on the LOF side, so that they didn't get stretchy when trying to sew the opening closed. Everything seemed to go together easier when I made sure of this. Have fun! Ann
One hint though -- I found that things sewed better if I kept the fabric oriented the same direction. Mud?? Sew the WOF(stretchy) of the inside square to the WOF(stretchy) of the outside square. And of course the LOF of the inside to the LOF of the outside. I also left the turning opening on the LOF side, so that they didn't get stretchy when trying to sew the opening closed. Everything seemed to go together easier when I made sure of this. Have fun! Ann
#10
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
I love Benartex flannels most, but the " woolies" flannels are really nice too, I think they are mods - but guessing. Any nice, heavy double sided flannels. I purchase most of my flannels from the local quilt shop, some from fabric.com. I love to feel them -- but, have never been disappointed with the ones I've bought on line. I just avoid thin, loosely woven flannels.
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