girlygirlforme

I have been asked to make a quilt that is falling charms in quilting cotton (Kaffe Fassett) on the front and flannel on the back. Would you pre-wash the flannel? I cannot pre-wash the charms. I am fairly new to quilting and have never done a quilt like this before. When finished I am wondering how to quilt it by machine. I was planning on stitching around either the solid or printed blocks. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

ManiacQuilter2

I don't pre-wash my cotton fabrics but always DO wash my flannel. It shrinks much more than cotton does.

PaperPrincess

I would also pre wash the flannel. Twice. It sometimes shrinks in the second laundering. The up side is that it gets thicker & fluffier.

girlygirlforme

Thank you!

jbj137

***
*** Wash the flannel it shrinks.
***

Jan in VA

Consensus on pre-washing the flannel!! It makes it softer, too, which "can" make the piecing a bit more difficult, but starching helps that. You likely won't need this starch in a backing, though.

girlygirlforme

Thank you for your help!

girlygirlforme

Another quick question on machine quilting or tying this falling block charm quilt. With cotton on the front and flannel on the back would you machine quilt? My friend does not like alot of machine quilting so if I machine quilted I would stitch around in the ditch or outline the solid blocks. Any suggestions?

Jeanne S

I always preWash flannel!!

Charleen DiSante

I was looking for opinions on pre-washing fabrics and came upon your post. How did it turn out?