I never use flannels of any brand or quality without washing first in hot water and drying in a hot dryer. If you like the crinkled "antique" look it will still shrink up a little but that first wash in hot water should take care of most of the shrinkage. If you want it to lay smooth than wash it 2 or 3 times. If they are fat quarters either snip a tiny triangle off the corners OR run a rotary blade with a pinking blade in it over the cut edges. Than wash in a pillow case or mesh bag.