flannel for backing
 

I just bought flannel for quilt backing. My question is- when I wash it I usually use cold water and line dry, but should I use warm water and put it in the dryer? It is red, if I don't use warm water & put it in the dryer will it still shrink or bleed when the quilt is washed? Any thoughts? Thanks

Yes to your proposal of washing in at least warm water--maybe hot--and drying in the dryer. You want red to do all the bleeding and shrinking it's ever going to do before you put it into a quilt. You might even want to put it through 2 or more wash cycles to be sure you have all the excess dye out of it. Use color catchers to be certain how it is behaving for you.
Of consideration, too, is how it will be handled as a completed project. Will it be gifted to someone who may not be as aware of how to care for it or will it be your own. You might always wash it in cold water but someone else might always launder in warm/hot. That could be a factor in how a quilt behaves for its owner. Prepare it for its destination.

I always prewash at the harshest so that no matter what the giftee does in the wash, there will be no surprises

Anything that has reds, browns or deep blues I prewash in hot water and dry with a high heat. This hopefully takes care of any future problems with the fabric. I have been know to wash some things twice. I always want to insure I too care of any bleeding or shrinkage problems.

Soaking a piece of fabric in hot water with a few drops of blue Dawn dish detergent - with no or little agitation of the fabric - will minimize the "used" look that sometimes happens when fabric is washed.

After at least an hour of soaking, wash gently by machine in cool to warm water. Then dry as usual.

I "assume" that the recipient "will not know the proper way to wash a quilt" - and try to minimize the chances of messing it up when it is washed.

Or know about color catchers, etc.

I'm a big believer in pre-washing anyway, especially if I'm going to give the project to someone.

Like Juliasb, I have certain colors I am always more concerned about than others. My own quilt that was ruined by a badly dyed piece of fabric was maroon. I know blues often have a lot of excess dyes and they are actually the ones I worry/test most.

And, I have had red dye "crock" that is transfer over from one piece of flannel to another. I had bought both pieces in a bag from the thrift store, one solid bright red traditional flannel, the other a white background Christmas flannel and the red transferred onto the white. So yes, I would definitely wash with a color catcher and dry fairly hot and if I'm not going to get around to a particular piece in a timely fashion, I wrap it in tissue paper before putting it in with other fabrics.

Even though I don't like to work with flannel because of the amount of pet hair in my household, I did a quilt last year with a flannel back and it came out lovely. Still don't want to want to work with fabrics, but they have their uses and advantages.

I assume that if a blanket/quilt is going to be given to a baby or small child -that the chances of it being peed, pooped, or puked on are high. (This is assuming that the parents actually let the child use the quilt!)

I also assume that if it is a loved/cuddle quilt, that it will get dirty.

May as well make it as washable/durable as possible.

Yep, it's amazing how much ... stuff ... can come out of such a tiny body. My daughter washed her baby quilts at least once a week. Or sooner if needed.

Yes-it would be best if you wash it in warm to hot water and definitely dry it in the dryer. Red is known for bleeding. Good luck to you

I used flannel that was darker red with some black print for a backing and I washed in warm water and dried it in a dryer. Had not had any problem with it.

Thanks everyone. I am making Xmas quilts for my whole family kids, grands, sisters & in-laws 25 total.I have 20 tops done so far.I got the flannel at Joann's clearance for $1.62 a yard with discount this week. I am trying to use up all my Xmas fabric but didn't have enough for all those backs, even though I plan on making some pieced backs. So I really couldn't pass this up.I plan on pulling numbers out of a hat for the quilts, so I won't know who is getting what til they open it. I do want to be sure no bleeding or shrinking happens. Thanks again.

I use flannel backing a lot. It goes into the washer on warm when I bring it home. And I dry it on Medium - no one I know washes on hot unless it is whites. Some dry on high because they think it drys faster. But everyone I have given a quilt ask me how to wash it. Some flannels get washed twice and both times with color catchers. I also give people a couple of color catchers when I give them their quilt. A lot of people have never heard of them before and so start using them.

Shrinkage problems!
 

I made my only flannel quilt about 20 years ago by request from my daughter. It was a pieced top and plain back, not too heavily quilted. When I washed it before giving it to her, every fabric shrunk at a different percent and even the directions on each piece (whether I cut it parallel to selvages or cut sides) seemed to shrink differently. It was a mess I thought but she still loves and uses it. Moral of this story: even if you never prewash and tumble dry fabric, like me, do it at least twice to flannel!!!!

Thanks I did wash my flannel twice in hot water and dried on high.

I *love* flannel for backing. Adds that warm cuddly touch. Always prewash tho! I measured last time and had 2 inches of shrink! Crazy!