Joe

I'm going to be using flannel to back my quilt. Having never worked with flannel I'm looking for any comments and or tips. Thanks.

amma

I prewash and dry flannel twice before using it, it likes to shrink a lot!!! Other than that, I would treat it the same as you would quilting cotton.

Jim's Gem

Just what I was going to say!

sewgull

Wash and dry flannel before using. Flannel will shrink.
Flannel does make cozy backing. Godd luck with your project.

nursie76

Me too. I used flannel on the back of my husbands Christmas quilt. I had no problems with it.

cjomomma

Flannel just makes a quilt much more snuggly.

Joe

Thanks I will post pics of the top after I attach the borders tomorrow.

Butterflyblue

While we're talking flannel - my mother in law seems convinced that flannel doesn't wear well, and won't back quilts with it. I use it for backing all the time for throw-sized quilts, but none of them are over two years old now, so I can't say if they don't wear as well or not.

Will using flannel significantly shorten the lifespan of a quilt?

littlehud

Always wash it at least two times. It shrinks a lot. I have used it and love it.

bearisgray

For kicks, overcast or zigzag the raw edges of your flannel, measure it before washing, and measure it after.

Flannel comes in different weights and qualities. Some wears very well. Some is like fuzzy cheesecloth.