you can use your brushed cotton just like any other cotton. pre-wash if you are concerned with color bleeding or shrinkage- or if you generally pre-wash- that really is a personal choice. and I make 20+ flannel quilts every year- have never cut with a pinking blade= I always use my regular rotary cutter. if you find your 'brushed cotton' wants to slip you might want to starch it to make cutting easier-more accurate.