I'd like to do a quilt all in flannel from the Connecting Threads line Sunny Day.

Is there anything different I need to do when using flannel rather than cotton? I don't normally prewash, do I need to for flannel? Can I still use Hobbs fusible batting?

Thanks!!!

Flannel can shrink a lot, I would always prewash it :D:D:D

It shrinks a lot and not necessarily the same amount top to bottom as it does across. It will also be much easier to cut & sew if you starch it. It gets very floppy and slippery if you don't starch it--even the good heavy flannel. Be aware that it will leave lots of fuzz behind so you will need to clean the bobbin and needle takeup area often.

I make lots of flannel quilts and I don't prewash. My flannel is from LQS and when I wash it it gets puckery just like other fabrics. It is not washed frequently. I have never used the fusable batting, just Warm and Natural. The fabric that you are using is really pretty and should make a lovely quilt for spring.

I'm not a prewasher - but when it comes to flannels , I ALWAYS prewash and dry , using the dryer until it is completely dry. The shrinkage can be substantial.

Good question I wondered the same.

Be sure to clean your bobbin area. Flannel is very messy. I don't think I prewashed my first rag quilt and it was fine in and out of the w/d. Have fun!

DO prewash. Sometimes different flannels shrink at different rates and really need the prewash so that you don't end up with some smooth blocks and some puckery ones.

I don't prewash for a rag quilt, but I prewash flannel for a regular quilt. I also only do flannel quilts that are simple type patterns, but that is just me. I did a baby Trip Around the World and loved it.

Cherylynne, I have a bunch of Moda flannel homespuns that I bought at least 15+ years ago and they are all fat quarters. Normally I wash all flannel yardage but am scared to death of washing these fats for fear of unraveling. By what you're saying I should be fine without washing them. When I ever make/finish this quilt do I just wash as I do all my other quilts? Will they all shrink the same...I use Quilters Dream batting. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Anyone's opinions would be greatly appreciated!

I made a flannel quilt for my husband a few years ago. Definitely pre-wash - it shrinks and has lots of lint. I used the Hobbs Heirloom batting and it worked well. He loves his quilt.

I'm working on a flannel quilt. I recommend pre-washing. The shrinkage was significant. I also serged the edges of the flannel before I washed it, to cut down on fraying. I am using yardage, not fq.

I agree with the prewashing. All that flannel, you might want to clean out the lint filter on your dryer half way through drying!

If you are afraid of unraveling, use a serger. If you don't have one, maybe a friend will let you use theirs. Or, do a small hem on the raw edges. Unless you can gaureentee that the quilt will never be washed, prewash!

I did a flannel quilt using the "brick" pattern designed by Liz Porter. It was real easy. The bricks were 3 1/2" X 6 1/2". No half bricks, you do stagger the rows, but wait until the top is done before trimming the edges. That was before I had a serger. I did not hem the edges but stood over a trash can and trimmed with pinking shears. It still unraveled some. Next time I will serge all the flannel.

I also had to clean the bobbin area every time the bobbin was empty, and that included lifting the bobbin casing out and taking a long paintbrush (like in a kids watercoloring set) and cleaning out all the fuzz!

I not only made the top in flannel, I used a thick flannel for batting and a solid navy flannel for the backing. My son couldn't get over how soft the quilt was. He kept hugging it - and he's a grown man - not a little kid!

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Cherylynne, I have a bunch of Moda flannel homespuns that I bought at least 15+ years ago and they are all fat quarters. Normally I wash all flannel yardage but am scared to death of washing these fats for fear of unraveling. By what you're saying I should be fine without washing them. When I ever make/finish this quilt do I just wash as I do all my other quilts? Will they all shrink the same...I use Quilters Dream batting. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Put the fat quarters in a lingerie bag or make one out of tulle or nylon net. Wash a few at a time and they shouldn't ravel.

I love working with flannel, so soft and warm!