I was thinking of buying some flannel fq's for a quilt. I want to use one of the patterns in Laps From Fats. The directions for each pattern call for a specific number of fats and a specifc number of shapes/strips to be cut from each fq. I know that it is a good idea to wash flannel first, but here is my dilemma. If I wash the fq's, I may not have enough fabric for all the pieces from each, but if I don't wash, it may shrink up too much. I would appreciate some opinions.
Thanks

I would buy and extra FQ or 2. I have had some of my flannel FQ's shrink up too small to use in a Yellow Brick road and I had to substitute another FQ for it. I don't normally prewash my regular cottons but always prewash the flannels because the shrink at all different rates.

Thank you. Do you do anything to the edges of the fq's before washing? Is there a lot of unraveling?

I would be tempted to buy 1/3 yd cuts and use them instead of FQ's.... that way after prewashing, you would still have atleast a 1/4yd+ of each to use.

When it comes to flannel I shy away from fat quarters because of the shrinking. Yardage is my best bet.

Thank you for your response. I am still thinking about whether to buy fq's because I have seen some flannel bundles for sale.

Buy extra, wash, iron, and maybe you will be lucky to have some left over. Flannel quilts are so 'homey' and comforting. I hope you make it.

We make samples for our kits from flannel fat quarters and we don't pre-wash them. BUT we only use Moda flannels which are "brushed cottons".
you can just open the kit or bundle of fats and begin sewing. I know this from experience. If you want to use a different manufacturer, then the story may be a different one. I believe the authors of the book have used Moda fabrics in their sample. Hope this helps!
Lisa
Quilter's Paradise, Westchester NY
www.quiltersparadiseonline.com

I have been thinking about this... If you look at the pattern, and it calls for many different flannel FQ's, and you are not using the full width or length measurements for any of the individual pieces, and are only going to be cutting up 2/3 of each FQ, the shrinkage would not matter.

when i sew with flannels i stitch all the pieces together on all the sides with a zigzag stitch and wash as one and dry as one. then its easy to slide a seam ripper under the stitches, releasing everything at once.