Originally Posted by JanTx
I posted this in a thread called "Flannel quilt - very very newbie" so if you've already read that skip this:
I just finished the top for a flannel quilt and did not prewash. I'm so new at this I probably squeak! Now what do I do? Go ahead and wash the top and backing separately? Try to zig zag the seams and then wash the top? Start over???? (I was getting good help on the thread I started, but since this was all about pre-washing I thought I'd try here for more.) The answer I WANT is, "Oh Honey, it'll be perfectly fine!" So far, that one's not out there. :(
I started sewing again this summer after 25 years or so off. I made a pillowcase from the monkey material for my 2-year-old grandson for practice. He loved his monkeys and that's where the idea came from. My daughter picked out the fabrics. I know now that the brown blocks are too dark for the rest of the light fabrics. Live and learn!
I would take the top by itself and soak it in hot water, no agitation in the machine, when the water cools down, I would wring it out by hand and tumble dry it on warm. Putting it in a mesh wash bag would probably help. I would not sew it togeher without shrinking the flannel first. IMO