Shrink Flannel???
 

I have made two cotton baby quilts from kits, so fabric was not prewashed (I am a prewasher!). I purchased very good quality flannel for backing. Should I wash it to shrink it first? I have not used flannel backing and have heard it shrinks alot so don't want it to distort the quilts. Thanks!

I used donated flannel from JoAnns and I prewashed the yardage and it did shrink. I cut a length that was 6" longer than required to see how much it shrank. Then I made flannel crib sheets for a charity and had to make sure the finished sheets were the right size.
So I would say wash the size needed for your quilt plus extra, so you can make sure it will work well when your quilts are quilted.

I recommend washing flannel, especially since it is unpredictable how much it might shrink. Some shrinks a LOT! I’m not typically a prewasher, but I always wash flannel.

I don't always prewash flannel....but I do not buy any flannel from jo-anns. I have not had any good experience with it. It either shrinks and lot and most often....it quickly pills. I have had good experience with moda flannels and I do not often prewash that. I do like my quilts a bit puffed. I am somewhat of a fabric snub in that I only bother to make quilts out of good quality fabric even if it is more expensive.....I do try and shop sales and often buy the remainders of bolts that are often on sale

I prewash flannel. It shrinks after several washings. Also, it is more likely than other fabrics to bleed color.

Thanks!
 

Thanks to everyone who took the time to answer, it was a great help!

I always pre-wash flannel. Depending on the manufacturer and the fibers there is no telling how much shrinkage there will be. Be safe first of all with flannel.