KathyH

Hi! I’m not new to quilting but I am about to start on a flannel quilt and that is a first for me. It is 2 ply, no bright colors but there is a black solid, 100% cotton by Henry Glass. The owner of the quilt shop said that I do not need to prewash. I am pretty sure I have read that you need to prewash it at least once. What are your thoughts? Is 2 ply different than other flannels? Also, is Aurifil 50wt a good thread for this fabric? Thanks for your help!

ckcowl

Aurifil thread is fine. I have found the really nice quilt shop flannels do not shrink like the single sided loosely woven ones

sewbizgirl

Is this going to be a rag (snipped) quilt? If so, do not prewash. You need the wash to make the fringe happen. If you wash it first, it won't work as well.

sewingpup

I wash my flannels sometimes.....if I am making a new quilt from quilt shop quality flannel (12-14 dollars a yard usually), I usually do not wash if the flannel is all from the same manufacturer...if I am making a quilt and the flannel is from a lot of manufacturers, I usually do wash everything before, unless I am making a rag time quilt, I do not....If I purchase a cheaper quality backing I most always wash it, as cheaper flannel usually shrinks quit a bit.....

KathyH

This will be a regular pieced quilt, not a rag quilt. It’s for a baby.

IrishNY

I always wash my fabric. Flannels shrink a lot, have lots of dust in them and could run. Why take the chance?

ckcowl

I’ve used Benartex and Moda woolies flannels without prewashing and everything came out beautifully. No excessive shrinkage- in fact less than many regular cottons I’ve used. I love the thick, soft double sided flannels.

NJ Quilter

I've only used Moda flannel and loved it. It was a quite substantial flannel. I could probably have gotten away without prewashing but I am a prewasher of virtually all fabrics.

dunster

I would prewash, especially since it's for a baby. I've had shrinkage in both good and not so good quality flannels, and the one that ran the worst was supposed to be very good quality.

ctrysass2012

I've used these & have not washed until the quilt was finished. They have all don fine. I did have 1 red flannel odd brand & that did bleed but I usually don't worry about it.