If you bought low quality flannel from Joannes' then yes, you will see pilling like mad. Good, quality LQS flannel will look mch nicer and give you a great final product. I made the mistake of buying a ton of JA flannel last year at the Black Friday sale. I've made quite a few rag quilts with it and they look terrible:< Never again! Though, the rag quilts made with GOOD flannel look awesome.