I'm going to be using flannel to back my quilt. Having never worked with flannel I'm looking for any comments and or tips. Thanks.

I prewash and dry flannel twice before using it, it likes to shrink a lot!!! Other than that, I would treat it the same as you would quilting cotton.

Just what I was going to say!

Wash and dry flannel before using. Flannel will shrink.
Flannel does make cozy backing. Godd luck with your project.

Me too. I used flannel on the back of my husbands Christmas quilt. I had no problems with it.

Flannel just makes a quilt much more snuggly.

Thanks I will post pics of the top after I attach the borders tomorrow.

While we're talking flannel - my mother in law seems convinced that flannel doesn't wear well, and won't back quilts with it. I use it for backing all the time for throw-sized quilts, but none of them are over two years old now, so I can't say if they don't wear as well or not.

Will using flannel significantly shorten the lifespan of a quilt?

Always wash it at least two times. It shrinks a lot. I have used it and love it.

For kicks, overcast or zigzag the raw edges of your flannel, measure it before washing, and measure it after.

Flannel comes in different weights and qualities. Some wears very well. Some is like fuzzy cheesecloth.

Can feel the "warmth" of it all ready.....love flannel :)

If you are using it for backing and need to seam it, use at least 1/2 inch seams.

There are definately varying weights and qualities in Fannel, some when washed, well the life is washed out of them before you start!
As already said, I would wash a couple of times just to make sure it is well shrunk and see if you are happy with the results. Usually it will shrink more widthwise than lengthwise. Some wash up tighter and are ok, because of the soft finish on Flannel it is made with fluffy shorter threads and it is this widthwise thread which wears first, therefore I would cut all my backing using the lengthwise grain of the fabric, lengthwise on my quilt. Does that make sense? There are some I would not waste my time on for a quilt with so much work involved, if it is not durable.

Gal

The new quilting flannels are wonderfull, its the pj flannels do not wear well.

Glad all are saying wash... I was going to say the same... infact I wash and dry mine twice unless I want the old quilt look and I do not wash and hope it will shrink after quilted
Connie

Now I'm not sure if I got pajama flannel or quilting flannel. It was on sale at joanns this week so I picked it up.

I have used flannel as backing many times, as well as the washing, if you are machine quilting be prepared to clean out your bobbin case very often, it is very fuzzy and there will be lots getting into your machine.

Aw, it will be warm and SOFT! I agree, just prewash in case it should shrink!

me too

I always wash my flannel, but I think everyone is right about washing and drying TWICE, since I did have one quilt where the backing obviously shrank after the first wash of the completed quilt. Didn't do it a lot of harm, but to me it looks "off".

My mother used to use flannel on every Qt, I used it on the first 3 Qts after that I forgot about flannel, thanks for reminding me. Theresse

Flannel makes lots of lint in your sewing machine. Stop occasionally and brush it out.

Flannel is great when wanting to make a Rag Quilt too.

We use flannel for backing when making wheelchair lap quilts. They don't slide off as easily and seem to last a long time. Heaven knows, they get plenty of wear and washing.

I love flannel for backs. I almsot always use it since I want my quilts used & not put away. Flannel is so nice to cuddle in!

This could pucker and may be too thick to quilt. Experiment with a small piece to make sure that it will work.

Doubt it will shorten the overall length of life of the quilt but if you live in a colder climate it will certainly be the quilt of choice ... perhaps even some 'discussions.'

flannel also makes lots of lint in your washer and especially your dryer. be sure and clean it out after each dry. the lint buildup can be dangerous.

I have a question on flannel too. I have already made my quilt and just finishing the binding on it. It's completely flannel, except batting, and never been washed. Am I going to have huge problem on my hands?

Where is the best place to buy extra wide, quality quilting flannel for backing? I think I want to do this with my next quilt, too.

if the flannel width and length is going in the same direction on both sides it will be better that not. if the batting wasn't washed and also shrinks some, that will help, too. but you will still have shrinkage on the flannel. since you didn't do any prep, i would never wash in hot water, if possible, only cold. only tumble dry gently and grab it out of there to finish drying in the air. if it's a gift, write everything down on the label or gift card. it will end up smaller than when it started out. good luck with it.

I just quilted a Queen sized quilt with flannel backing on my longarm. Once the flannel was prewashed and dried to get out the excess dye and shrink it, it worked fine. But, it shrinks 5%.
It was stretchier too so needed regular cotton strips attached to all sides for stabilization. With all that, it came out quite nicely.
Cynthia

About the only time I've been told NOT to wash flannel is when you are using FQs for Turning Twenty quilts, as the flannel will be too small for the cutting instructions. (That info came from the gal who conducted the TT class I took.)

I agree with all of the above, but it does tend to stretch more than cotton broadcloth, so use lots of pins when you put it together or hand baste the heck out of it.

Flannel is usually a little bit narrower than a flat cotton. It is a looser weave, too so be sure to prewash and shrink it before you use it. Flannel makes a cozy quilt and I love it with a cotton batt like Warm and Natural.

Can you hand quilt with flannel on the back? Hubby really wants a flannel backed quilt, but I don't know if it would quilt well.

Flannel is one fabric that I will only buy at my lqs. I have made pj's out of it for my DGS's and some of them are 10 years old and are now being worn by the fifth one. They are starting to fade, but are so soft and cuddly.

they handquilt wonderfully well.

they stretch like mad, but pull back in with each washing.

before you wash, finish the edges very carefully or they'll fray so badly you won't have nearly as much as you need, so overbuy.

they get softer and softer with age.

there are various qualities - some quite poor. buy carefully and touch it first.
hold it up to the light and look at how thin it really is. it's hard to tell with all the sizing they put on it. the thin ones do not hold up.

Thanks for the help. Not a gift, it's for me so no matter what I won't mind too much. I always wash in cold so that is not a problem either. The quilt is so large it won't matter if it shrinks a bit actually. If it is not horrid, I will post pictures, been working on this thing for about six years, yikes! Thanks again!

I might just have to get a flannel to back it with if it handquilts well. I kinda know what NOT to look for. Do you have qualities that you do look for when you look for a flannel? I'm assuming thicker is better...I just want to make sure I can still quilt through it....but I know he would really love it if I put flannel on the back.