If you look at my post about my "dreaded baby quilt" you will see the patterned flannel backing. I bought this at Joann's - not sure if it is snuggle flannel or not? Since I am not a prewasher w/my quilts and had never worked w/flannel before I did not prewash the flannel backing either. I washed the completed quilt on gentle in warm water and had no problem with shrinkage. The pics are post washing. Maybe I just got lucky but I was pleased with the way the flannel and the quilt in general looked even after washing. Good luck!!