Baby quilt made with flannel
 

I am making a baby quilt using flannel that will probably end up being a charity quilt. It is a simple rail fence pattern with two borders. I am wondering how the flannel will hold up with repeated washings. It's looser weave is already showing some raveling. Should I reinforce the seams when I quilt it on my longarm? I don't want it to come apart for whoever it ends up with.

sounds like you've already pieced it. did you wash the flannel first? Flannel often shrinks a lot, which tightens up the weave and makes it a bit thicker. At this point, I would go with a heavier quilting pattern as you suggested, maybe a wavy line over all the seams to reinforce them. Wash the finished product before donating to make sure you don't have any additional seams come loose.

I always use 1/2 inch seams for flannel.

Funny this post popped up.... i made a flannel twin sized quilt for my niece 12 years ago...it is now a square only about 18 x 18 inches. But it has been washed about 10,000 times. Lucky - or crazy, depending on what you think of my stash habits - i still had about 2 total yards of the various flannels - and just made her another one - lap sized....she doesn't know....but i think she'll be happy.....she's 18 now, but still sleeps with the 18x18 piece under her pillow at night !!!!! (don't tell her i told you that);) So...short answer....go for it - but yes - 1/2" - 5/8" seam allowance.

Thank you for your replies. I hadn't thought about the flannel shrinking and therefore tightening the weave. I had not prewashed the fabric because the main part of the quilt was a kit I bought on Ebay. I have added borders which I did not prewash because I assumed the cut pieces had not been. I think for another one I would go with 1/2 inch seams. I think I will quilt over the seams like you suggested, PaperPrincess.