I, too, cut my inner flannel one inch smaller than the squares......just be sure the flannel has been pre-shrunk......I do not put anything heavier than flannel in for batting or it will be waaaaaaaaaaaaay too heavy. This is a fun quilt and very forgiving if you are a beginner. If not a beginner, just plain fun!!! Oh yes, one time I used a homespun for the center.....really frayed nicely but I also learned that I take the quilt to the local Laundromat for that first wash. Their drains are larger and can accommodate the tons of "fall out". I do dry it at home, but clean my filter several times during a dry cycle......