Oh No!
I am in the middle of making a rag quilt for my one grandaughter and saw the post about flannel at Joanns. Do you really have to prewash it? I did not. Everything I read online said not to wash it first. I have five more to make, so should I prewash that fabric first? Will the seams still rag properly after prewashing?

I am so new at this and at times, easily confused!!!!!

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :roll: :shock:

Any flannel is going to shrink, that is why it is best to wash and dry it first. If you didn't wash any of it to begin with it will most likely shrink. Might want to wash this one and see how much before you do the others.Depending on the size, you might want to add a row. The seams will rag just fine after prewashing.

They say not to pre wash flannel, so it will rag better. I made several of Joanns flannel ,didn't pre wash & mine are fine.I also use it same way for backing. So soft & cuddly. Thay will be fine.

Thanks Pat,
I am just doing 5 inch squares with a 1/2 inch seam. (so tey are actually 6 inch squares). So you have never prewashed the flannel? I know you have to prewash cotton fabric.

Have a good day!

This is a life long debate. Some people don't pre wash their cotton either. Most people suggest pre washing a square and see if it shrinks. Lots of fabrics made today cotton or not do not have much shrinkage but you never know. I have learn one thing and that is if you are going to pre wash or not iron or not make sure you do to to all the fabric in you quilt. Once i made and around the world quilt in a class. The teacher said not to press the seams. Well I though I would be smart and I did and one of the colors stretched more than the others and shat a time I had matching the seams. I almost took it all apart and cut the squares but after i made a few adjustments and had it quilted at the quilters which I have only done twice buy the way because of cost it came out beautiful. It is a queen size in cranberry and shades of pinks. I am hoping to give it one day to my neice if she gets married or one of my 9 grandchidren. everything turned out OK.

Cathy

Oh I made a pair of rag flannel slippers for my self they are a little big and I can't shrink them no matter how hard I try if that helps you out.

Repeat after me. I do not prewash flannel when it is the only fabric in a rag quilt. I make rag quilts and they come out great without a prewashing. If I were to use flannel as just as backing, then yes I would prob prewash.

Not many prewash cotton's either... it is a personal choice.

yes a very personal touch. however, i would be concerned that the flannels might shrink differently.

Not funny, but when you want something to shrink it never does!!!

Ok, I am going to finish this rag quilt, because i have no other choice at this point. I am going to wash it and see how it works out!

Annalee, it is all flannel!

Oh, and where are my manners????? Thanks all for the input. Headed to the drs. in a while, think I have a sinus infection. Nasal passages not right, ear plugged and balance off and my front teeth are killing me.

Hope you feel better soon. If its all flannel, I wouldnt worry, just maybe make it a bit bigger, so if it does shrink, ohwll!

Cannot count how many rag quilts I have made over the last few years and I have never washed a flannel or cotton material before making them and they have always turned out well. Everyone who receives them just loves them. But, I am not an expert, just go by my own experience. Good Luck

Repeat after me. I do not prewash flannel when it is the only fabric in a rag quilt. I make rag quilts and they come out great without a prewashing. If I were to use flannel as just as backing, then yes I would prob prewash.[/quote]

Ditto to this post. I am making a log cabin star quilt from flannel, top and backing both flannel and batting will probably be wool. I am not prewashing either, but I have a friend who made a gorgeous quilt and backed with flannel that she DID prewash. In her family it is the quilt of choice to cuddle under and has been washed now many times. Looks great.

Take care and get well soon.

Thanks all. Just got back from drs. Sinus Infection. Taking antibiotis and antivert. Goin to ake a ice cup of tea and either sew for a while or sleep for a while!

Hope you feel better really soon.

I don't prewash flannel for rag quilts either. On-line it said not to when I made my first, and I have not had any problems at all!

HOW TRUE.

Cathy

I am making 2 flannel ragged quilts now, when making ragged quilts from flannel you do not want to wash fabric before making quilt......also the lady at my JoAnn's agreed with me when asked about it.

I just finsihed 2 flannel rag quilts and I did prewash the flannel. They ragged just fine.

Not for rag quilts, but I prewash and dry it twice for pieced quilts :D:D:D

Get well soon!

I didn't prewash...and they turned out fine! Finish the one, wash it and see how it turns out. :)

The only flannel that I have had a problem with shrinkage was quilters flannel from JoAnn's. Their Snuggle and the other "cutesy" flannels seem to be fine though. As usual, watch how closely woven some of the flannels are. I thought it was interesting that the quilters flannel is the one that gave me trouble--and I mean major shrinking on that one!

my rule is "when in doubt" prewash

Wash it in cold water with one of those sweater products. If you are afraid of the color, put a good dose of white vinegar in the water.

When I prewashed and dried mine it looked like old used fabric. It was so pretty when it was new. What did I do wrong?

I've never prewashed ANY fabric, not even flannel. I've made several rag quilts and I like the look after they shrink and get "fringy".

I prewash everything so kind of freaked when I read not to prewash the flannel for rag quilting but the ones I've made have turned out great. I don't think it matters one way or the other, like one of the gals said, it's a personal preference.