Want to make one of these quilts. Have lots of flannel. I am sure this was discussed before, but I can't find the answer right now..When you make these quilts where you want them to rag...do you wash the flannel first?

Thanks.

When I make my rag quilts I DO NOT prewash anything . And I sew with a single straight stitch for the seams :lol:

I do not prewash my material for rag quilts either. Seems to "rag" up better if you wash it after sewing.

Thanks for the quick replies. Now I can begin!

I can't wait to see it :D:D:D

Are you done yet ?? LOL :shock:

:lol: Oh I wish!!!!!! Did I mention, I am not a patient person? 8-)

I guess if it's all flannel you wouldn't need to wash it.

I just finished two flannel quilt tops and will never do another one! The lint was so bad I was constantly sneezing, my nose ran and it bothered my eyes....and this was AFTER I had washed all the flannel first!! Good luck!!

Ditter

I love to make rag quilts, they are so warm. I always take them to the laundermat after they are compeltely done and wash and dry it the first time there. Otherwise, it will make a mess in your washer. After I wash it, I take it outside and shake it before putting it in the dryer. Make sure you wipe their washer out after you're done so the next person doesn't end up with lint all over.

Thanks for all the advice. Hope to get all my pieces of flannel together tomorrow. I will make a scrappy one first, and if it goes well, my daughter wants one in her favorite colors.

Don't wash it first.

What would you do if some of your flannel has been prewashed and others not? Do you think it matters or should I wash my unwashed!?

Wash the unwashed as flannel shrinks at different rates

Thanks for your help! I am using flannel as my batting also so I suppose I should wash that also huh?

Yes I would. I have heard that flannel shrinks terribly and you don't want any surprises after all your hard work :? Nornmally for a rag quilt I do not prewash, but as some of yours is already washed and some is not I am not sure what the results would be . better safe than sorry

K. Funny I just happened to stumble onto this website. Glad i did otherwise not sure how my rag quilt would have turned out!!

I have wondered the same thing. I am glad you asked. I was looking at 2 books at Joann's about rag quilts and decided to see what they said. Both said to pre-wash.

I made this one last June, for my grandbaby. I am making another for her sister when she makes her debut in March. The new quilt will be in the shape of a turtle. They are fun to make just make sure you have an old hair brush handy after its washed to remove the lint and tame the edges a bit. Oh and clean the lint trap on the dryer after too.

Well how cute is that!!! I made one last year for a new baby but used unwashed fabric. Turned out wonderful. Little 5" blks.
Decided to make one using 9" blocks for my grandson and happen to have some Moda flannel in my stash but it had been washed. I usually don't wash any of my fabric before I quilt it but this was before I started actively quilting and I guess I washed it. I also noticed that it makes a mess in your washer but I was pre warned!!! love your quilt!!

Oh Chasing Hawk! What an awesome quilt!

Love the butterfly flannel quilt :thumbup: Is that from a pattern ?

Yes it is, Sharon..

check your PM

I don't pre-wash for rag quilts, but I would if part of it was already.

Definitely take it to the laundromat the first time. Might even the 2nd time. It cost my friend $80 to get her washing machine fixed when she washed a denim rag quilt at home the first time.

I'm new on this group. When someone asks for a pattern reference, is it not to be posted for everyone?

THANKS !

Since she is using flannel, with its propensity for shrinkage (big time), wouldn't you wash it once to get most of shrinkage before it was sewn, and then wash again to rag the quilt?

Don't wash first

Not if you want it to rag really well, you don't want to wash it first. But since some of hers had already been washed the shrinkage could become an issue later.

I made just one.... and I did not wash my fabric... the whole idea is that is will shrink and ravel... ravel...ravel.

I made my first flannel raggy quilt a few months ago, and some of the flannel was new and unwashed, while some I had in my stash and had already washed it. It turned out fine, very cute, with no apparent differences in shrinking or raveling.

THIS is the answer I wanted!! hee hee. Don't really want to pre wash my new flannel. I might not even UsE the pre washed flannel I have after reading everyones answers!!