Any tips on washing or drying flannel to prevent pilling? Every time I wash "quilters" flannels, they get weird. I was given lots of pretty baby print flannel fabric to make a baby quilt, and it was purchased from a quilt store, so I want to make sure I am doing this right as not to "ruin" the fabric, as I know my mother paid lots for it. (lately I am queen of the run on sentence!)

Thanks for any suggestions!

(Hot? Cold? Woolite?)

i've had no problems with my flannels, and I back all of my quilts in flannels. I have had to wash the four I have at home LOTS of times and never any pilling or anything. They all came from various LGSs. I would suggest since you are having problems, warm wash and rinse, gentle/handwash cycle with either woolite or the quilters detergent you can get online.

best of luck!

I use a tennies ball in the dryer.

I've made most of my quilts with flannel and have not had any pilling as of yet. I wash on warm with dreft and fabric softener and dry on permanent press... I just make sure that I clean out the lint trap a few times during the drying cycle.

Also, I've bought cheaper Walmart flannel for sheets that has pilled and everything that I buy from my LQS has not pilled...

Nona

I washed the flannel using baby detergent on gentle, no pilling! However, about a half an inch on about 4 or 5 fabrics frayed away. Grr! I tossed whe whole mess ukn the dryer. I guess I am off to the cutting board! Thanks for the suggestions!


Andee

I have a pinking blade in an extra rotary cutter. I always trim the cut ends with it before machine washing any material. This seems to keep the raveling to a mininum. I also us a very short wash cycle.