Help! Washing flannel
 

I know that there have been previous posts on this subject but I am wondering if what is easiest for me, will work. First, this is the fabric I received from my church group. As you can see, the stack of RK flannel is mostly strips and a few cut lengths no larger than 18".

I want to make this quilt:
http://www.brightonsewingcentre.co.u...jellyroll.html

My problem is I live in an apt without the convenience of a W/D. It is a long walk to the laundromat which will cost $3 in quarters.

So, can I soak these flannels in warm or hot water without using soap and then line dry them in my bathroom to dry?? It is the warmest room in the apt which for some still unknown reason is always very warm. I have never had to turn the heat on even when it snowed on Dec 31, 2014. Thanks in advance for your advice.

PS. I am disable and don't drive.

Well flannel does shrink more than other fabrics so if it is at all possible I would somehow try to get them to the laundry mat and dry them in the dryer to shrink them as much as possible before you start.

I have "prewashed" smaller pieces of fabric like that lots of times. I just fill a large bowl or sink with HOT water and let the fabric soak an hour or so. I think sometimes I have added a bit of detergent and swished with my hand too, but not necessary. I then dump out the water, let the fabric drain till it is not so heavy and drippy, then just put them over hangars and let drip dry. I think your plan will work great.
I think hand washing like this is best for small cuts and strips to avoid lots of fraying, flannel and regular cotton.

Seems to me there was a post on here recently about washing jellyrolls or jelly rolls, never sure if that is one word or two. A salad spinner was presented as an option for getting out excess water. Years ago I read a similar article in a quilting magazine.

There are 3 things that cause fabric to shrink: water, heat, agitation. By hand washing, you are not getting the full benefit, but at the end of the day, how much is it really worth to you to get that extra 1-2% shrinkage? If I really wanted it to turn out nice, I would probably fill the tub or a large sink with plenty of very warm (not hot!) water and some detergent. Then, I would get an old wooden spoon, paint stirrer or a large stick from the yard (try to get it a bit clean before using) and would do my best to really stir up the fabric in the water (hence the need for something deeper than bathroom sink). Finally, I would partially dry with a hair dryer on medium heat. Doesn't need to dry all the way, just about 25-50% of the way dry.

Some people also say they get the flannel to fully shrink by boiling water, turning off stove & immediately adding the fabric. That would shrink it, but it's also liable to damage the cotton fibers and fade the color. But we each need to make our own decisions based on time, money & resources. It will be a lovely quilt regardless and you got a great deal on it! Sewing flannel with a 1/2" seam will help make up for any lack of shrinkage in the pre-wash stage.

Be sure to post a pic for us to admire when it's done! :thumbup:

I would hand wash in warm water with very little soap and NO fabric softner. Line dry then iron. I truly would not worry about shrinkage after that.

I'm kinda new, but if it is all the same flannel, wouldn't it be easier to wait until the quilt is done and let it do all of it's shrinking in the final wash. It should all shrink at the same rate, since it is all from the same line??? Right? Still learning.

Fabric stretches more in the crosswise direction than lengthwise. Go ahead, take a piece of fabric and give it a try. It will likewise shrink at different rates, so a block made with pieces sewn every which way may end up looking uneven at best, or downright wonky. And, flannel is fierce when it comes to shrinkage, sometimes taking two or three washings to settle down.

You should be fine soaking them in your kitchen sink. I would fill the sink with hot-to-the-touch water, then add the flannel and stir really well with a wooden spoon or spatula. Let the water cool down and remove the fabric. Repeat if you think it's necessary. You could then roll in a towel to get most of the moisture out and hang to dry in your bathroom.

By the way, I think you have chosen the perfect pattern for those fabrics.

Quite honestly I would have a go at it without any prewashing (and this from a die hard prewasher!). Make the quilt, quilt it fairly closely (no more than 2" spacing between quilting, I would go even closer) and then wash. Robert Kaufman is usually really good quality fabric and I bet this flannel won't shrink much more than any other of RK lines. Additionally once all put together and quilted the quilting will help it to not shrink all distorted. I say make the quilt out of these precut strips without any prewashing and let the chips fall where they may. I bet it will be fine.

this is how I handle small pieces of fabric - it does work -

It is a bit time-consuming and a bit messy - but - for me, well worth the time and effort.

One would think that would be true - but from my experience with "regular" quilting cottons - shrinkage can vary even within one line.

I never pre wash flannels or pre cuts..they ravel and it is a pain to iron. The fabric company's even recommend that you DO NOT PREWASH.

I love flannel quilts and I sleep with one every nite.

I have been quilting for over 40 yrs and also I am a longarmer. I make my flannel quilts, quilt them, bind the and then wash in cold water. The quilt all shrinks the same and I have never have had any issues.

I agree. I wouldn't prewash and I never do.

I am a dyed in the wool..(ha,ha)..non-pre washer.......as stated, once made into a quilt it will be fine........IF I have a fabric of any kind that may be bleeder, I will cut a bit, soak in cup of hot water...that determines if I use or not......but that's just how I've been doing it for a longtime........

I think your plan sounds fine, ManiacQuilter2. That's going to be a beautiful quilt!

I agree with this advice! Should work well for you.

First love your fabric. 2nd do you have any friends who can wash it for you? You could agitate a little by stirring with a broom handle then pick the fabric up, then drop and repeat. Then, if you can, use the shower head to rinse it all. With the warmth of your room it will dry in no time.

I have yet to prewash my flannels or any other fabrics. I have not had any bleeding or large shrinkage either.

I totally agree with quiltnutt. The only time I pre wash flannel is if it were mixed with regular cotton fabrics on the top or the back to a quilt that was made with regular fabrics but even then I NEVER prewash precuts! Yes - flannel shrinks more than regular quilting cotton BUT by prewashing the precuts you risk fraying and distortion and then - you have the dreaded ironing (lol).

If it is all the same quality fabric then I would assemble the quilt as is. Yes - the fabric will shrink after washing but it will be proportional to one another and you will not see it.

Years ago. I asked a LQS owner about prewashing flannels. She replied she doesn't prewash them. I don't, either. The only time I would prewash flannel is for clothing apparel such as a shirt or nightgown.

I think you'll be fine not washing the flannel.

Nancy

First of all, I think the pattern you have chosen to do is a great choice for the flannels you are working with. If you want the best finished product possible there are steps to take. Some flannel shrinks a great deal. It depends on the quality. I have had some flannel (name brands like Moda and Maywood) that had little shrinkage. Others, from chain stores were loosely woven with yarns that were not tightly twisted, shrank a lot. Because you have a variety of pieces it is important to get the shrinkage out. Hot water and an iron will take care of the problem. Use the hottest water out of the tap. Fill the sink. Add the fabric pieces (you might want to use a lingerie bag for some of the smallest pieces). Let it soak for a while. Drain the water out, squeeze (don't wring) the excess water out. Dry by hanging on hangers or a line and iron with a hot iron. I like to use steam when I iron them. Be sure you wait until the pieces are completely dry before storing them. Just be a bit patient and you will be fine.

I love those fabrics together! I do make a lot of flannel quilts and buy good quality flannels. I do not pre-wash because I like the slightly crinkled look and feel when washed after quilting. I do steam the fabric before cutting and it does seem to shrink. If I think something may shrink a lot because it feels thin or is loosely woven then I cut a three inch square and steam it really well. Then measure. If it really shrinks badly, I will pre-wash that. If I pre wash, then I will starch flannel after drying. To me it is easier to work with before washing or after starching. I find I can be more accurate. Your quilt will be beautiful no matter which way you go.

Maniac quilter2. Just a heads up I made this quilt following the link you gave me on the thread looking for a pattern for a baby quilt. The instructions are not very clear and using the instructions the chevrons were vertical rather than horizontal. You can probably adapt it or I didn't follow them correctly. Interested in how you get on. I washed some flannel for the backing and just dried it over a radiator no problems so think your suggestion would work.

Very good point, cheshirecatquilter.

Wash them in your sink, then take them to the laundromat, or ask one of the people in the church group to dry them in a dryer for you. but before you go through that, ask the folks in the church group if they were already washed and pre-shrunk!

If you wash them in a washing machine, put them in lingerie bags or a pillow case so that the strips don't tangle up together. I have used the lingerie bag successfullly, and I think if you pinned the end of a pillow case pinned closed You would get the same result.

Haven't tried that, but i think the shrinking of a finished quilt would cause the quilt to go out of shape when it is washed and dried. No two fabrics ever shrink exactly the same amount.

I just made a kid's charity quilt out of flannel. I didn't prewash any of it. figure it will all shrink at the same rate later. I was worried that the fabric would become real loose and unstable and didn't want to deal with that. Wasn't going to use starch for a kid's quilt.

I am not a pre-washer of any fabric.... I love the look of the quilt as it is washed and does the shrinking. I have made many flannel quilts, and after many years of use and washing not one of them has had any issues, and none of them washed and dried 'out of shape'

The only fabrics I prewash are deep color batiks. I just don't want to take the time to wash, dry & iron. Plus I like the the look of quilts after washing.

I'm wondering the same thing. I understand that it shrinks differently in each direction, but if the quilt is done, quilted, and bound (using flannel on the back also) before it is washed, shouldn't the shrinkage be fairly even? I have made the baby blanket from Missouri Star Quilting that uses and 30" and 40" square of flannel to make a blanket with a border and mitered corners. I wash it after it is done and it comes out fine. I do use 33" and 43" blocks. You could make it just a little wider and a little longer (hopefully there is enough fabric) and when it shrinks it will be the same size.
Possible??

I have a personal preference for quilts that have fabrics that have not been preshrunk. However, I've seen flannel that is pretty thin and has loose weaving that I am sure would shrink far more than a couple of percent. You might try just washing a small square like 6 inches, stitch a line or pink around the outside so it doesn't shed too much, and throw it in with your regular wash and see how much it shrinks. Then you can decide whether or not you need to preshrink your fabric.

I love working with flannel. My rule of thumb is buy 1/8 to 1/4 yard more than needed. Hand washing or machine washing before you cut is almost a must. Then when you finish your quilt and do the final wash your flannel will shrink at same rate if at all.

I believe I seen this Salad Spinner post too, and as luck would have it I found the exact Salad Spinner at my local Ross store and purchased it as well as used it with great success on the same day!
Jeri