I use a lot of flannel- pieces of flannel are in almost every quilt I make- I treat it the same as I do every other cotton fabric. (if it is thin, loosely woven, low-er quality I prewash it- if it is nice, good quality, double sided flannel I do not always prewash it- I've never had a problem with this) I am careful with steam; make sure I do not stretch it out of shape by ironing- if making blocks only 'press' them, don't iron across them- flannel does stretch out of shape easily. I do *when I think it's necessary* starch and iron my flannel before cutting. it helps with nice cuts.