I made some out of old denim squares. They had already been washed but I don't think it would matter. I use mine for hot pads on the table when I bring a oven casserole to the table. I used the brush to fuzz them up a bit when they were new but after each wash they get fuzzier. I could have just left the edges but I used regular cotton in blue to do the edge or a nice finished look and to prevent the edges from raveling.