The nicest flannels I have purchased are:
Moda
AE Nathan Comfy flannel
Wilmington
Bernatex
Maywood Studio
Marcus Brothers
I am sure there are others out there.
www.thousandsofbolts.com has tons of really nice flannels at rock bottom prices. They don't usually have Moda but they have other brands and I have always been happy with my purchases from them. Others here seem to really like the flannels offered at
www.connectingthreads.com
I prewash in hot wash, cold rinse and tumble dry. I want all preshrinking out of the way. First wash produces a LOT of lint no matter how good the brand. I usually clean the lint trap in the dryer twice for washing 4 yards or more at a time. No pilling at all.