I have begun work on my very first quilt (I have done an applique wall hanging or two but not anything like a quilt)... and I want to thank you so much for this thread ! I just bought some flannel yesterday because I wanted it to have a soft warm back (lap quilt) and I would never have thought to wash it had I not read this info today. So I have just washed it - and the 2 yards of flannel shrank almost half a yard!!! Thank you for the info !!! Rene