Pre-wash flannel?
 

I am making a "recliner throw" for my DH. He wanted flannel on the back. I have not prewashed the cotton on the pieced top. Do I need to prewash the flannel before I attach it? There will be straight line quilting (if that makes a difference). Thanks for any advice. (and please keep your fingers crossed - it's the first "quilt" that I've attempted. until now it's been table runners & mug rugs.)

I do pre wash flannel when I use it because it does typically shrink alot.

i have done both pre wash fannel, it is a lot nicer.

Yes, I do recommend to pre-wash flannel. It does shrink much more than regular quilting cotton. I even pre-wash it twice before I use it as a backing.

Absolutely - I never pre-wash my piecing material but I will not put flannel on a back with out pre-washing. I had one shrink 12% on me after pre-washing.

I agree - I am not a prewasher except for flannel, which I usually wash and dry twice - cuts down on lint too.

Measure, wash, dry, repeat until it stops shrinking! The up side is that the flannel usually gets thicker and softer.

I like to prewash everything. I don't like surprises with quilting. The only items I don't prewash are the precuts like jelly rolls, layer cakes, and charms. I also like to serge the cut edges before I wash. It keeps everything neat.

I do prewash flannel, as the shrinkage is greater than normal cotton. Be sure to clean your dryer filter after drying, I was amazed at how much "fluff" came off about 5 yards of flannel pieces.

Prewashing may also cause pilling. If the flannel pills, I may use it for batting, but not on the quilt's front or back.

I don't prewash anything (I know, I know...I'm supposed to!) and I just finished a quilt with a cotton top and flannel back. It was a gift for my aunt and I washed it before sending it to her. No problem at all. That said, it was a nice Moda flannel and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. If it had been a looser weave or cheaper flannel, I probably wouldn't have chanced it.

I always use flannel for backing (have for many years) I ALWAYS prewash flannel but never the top.

Yes, pre-wash the flannel. It shrinks more than regular cotton.

I love to use flannel for the backs of my quilts and I always wash and rinse it in warm water, then dry it in a medium dryer. It ALWAYS shrinks several inches. So to avoid puckers, I would recommend you wash it before you make it into anything. Flannel has a very loose weave to it so it will shrink. I always buy at least 6-9 inches more than I anticipate I will need and there have been times that was not enough.

I haven't used flannel BUT I remember a tip I received about it. Take it to the laundry mat.

I always prewash flannel due to shrinkage. Recently I made lots of the self binding baby blankets as there was a whirlwind of baby showers. I had several pieces I got at Joann's that shrank and pilled SO BAD I didn't even use them. Such cute prints though but were scratchy and faded after washing,wasted money. Others I got at Joann's were fine.

I have 7 yards of Joann's flannel in my washer right now - like most everyone else I prewash flannel - and only flannel. This will be a backing for a quilt.

Yep...I wash and dry twice....no nasty surprises that way.