I love flannel in quilts and quilt them how ever I feel like quilting that particular quilt. Flannel is a wonderful cotton fabric, no reason to be worried about it. I buy most of my flannels from fabric.com also. I buy the wide flannel then dye it the way I want it for my quilt, it dyes beautifully and is soft & cozy. I do not prewash over & over again, once is plenty, with detergent, no fabric softener. I use ( warm) water & a regular dryer cycle, taking it out when it is just dry - don't over dry any of your fabrics, it makes it difficult to get the wrinkles out.