Flannel Precuts
 

I purchased (spur of the moment) a stack of flannel 5" charms. After having them at home and thinking about it, I realized I probably shouldn't have done that, knowing that flannel shrinks and precuts are difficult to prewash. I needed to make a baby quilt and found them again and decided to give it try. I used the charms to make (all unwashed)9- patches and alternated with large squares. I used up a bunch of different scrap pieces, so it kinda looks like a I Spy quilt. The problem now is how much quilting will be enough to hold the flannel in place and minimize shrinkage as much as possible? I have done the SITD around all large blocks and deco stitching across all seams between all 9-patch blocks. On the large squares I have various fmq outline pics for a little boy...boats, dragons, bikes and such. Do you think that will be enough to secure the fabrics? Do I need something inside each 5" square? The batting requirements are 4-6, so that is taken care of.

What is the specific batting you are using?

I personally would want to do something inside the 5" squares, as the diagonal of a 5" square does leave a lot of room for shrinkage.

I think shrinkage will happen no matter what. I never prewash any of my fabrics because I like to work with crisp new fabrics and I love the look of the shrinkage after washing and since I have tried to make a rag quilt (of course without washing) I haven't noticed any big difference than regular cotton so you should be ok and your quilting should be enough.

I think I would do an x across the flannel squares to be on the safe side.

It is a fusible poly batting (didn't fuse, used glue to baste)...do not have the bag anymore, so no brand.

Shrinkage is more from the batting so probably a poly or poly blend would have less shrinkage

I think the X through the 5" squares is a good idea.

Shrinkage is controlled by the batting, but the fabric has to be attached to the batting with enough quilting to make it "one fabric". When there is enough quilting the fabric cannot shrink more than the batting because the batting keeps the fabric stretched.