Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums >
  • Main
  • Need Advice concerning Flannel >
  • Need Advice concerning Flannel

  • Need Advice concerning Flannel

    Thread Tools
     
    Old 12-30-2014, 10:08 PM
      #1  
    Super Member
    Thread Starter
     
    Join Date: Aug 2010
    Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
    Posts: 2,229
    Default Need Advice concerning Flannel

    I have several pieces of good quality flannel I purchased for a baby quilt that never got made. (The intended recipient never knew about it so no hard feelings-except my self directed Lectures, which is tiresome when I don't listen to myself...) I have a friend who is looking forward to her first Grandbaby, and if it is a girl I want to use this flannel. My question is do I need to prewash it if none of it has been washed? I've used flannel with cotton and double or triple prewashed that. I'm wondering if prewashing is neccessary if the baby quilt is going to be all flannel. Thanks for your advice!
    Cybrarian is offline  
    Old 12-30-2014, 10:21 PM
      #2  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Dec 2010
    Location: Chula Vista CA
    Posts: 7,401
    Default

    I always pre-wash flannel. It shrinks a lot and you are never sure how much and which direction.
    quiltingcandy is offline  
    Old 12-30-2014, 10:25 PM
      #3  
    Super Member
     
    Deb watkins's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Apr 2009
    Location: Horseheads, NY 14845
    Posts: 4,025
    Default

    Wash and dry flannel.....it does SHRINK!
    Deb watkins is offline  
    Old 12-31-2014, 04:41 AM
      #4  
    Super Member
     
    mom-6's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Feb 2010
    Location: Texas
    Posts: 6,395
    Default

    Flannel is the only fabric I will consistently prewash. I use the hottest setting on my washer and dryer. Want to be sure it does any shrinking before I cut.
    mom-6 is offline  
    Old 12-31-2014, 04:50 AM
      #5  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: Central NJ
    Posts: 5,571
    Default

    I, too, would wash flannel. Granted, I'm a pre-washer to begin with but even if not, I'd surely wash flannel. It does shrink far more than traditional cotton due to the looseness of the weave - even good/high quality flannel. Just it's nature.
    NJ Quilter is offline  
    Old 12-31-2014, 04:52 AM
      #6  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Oct 2013
    Location: Tulsa, Ok
    Posts: 4,582
    Default

    I also always pre-wash flannel because it usually shrinks more than regular cotton and I want that done before making the quilt.
    Jeanne S is offline  
    Old 12-31-2014, 05:25 AM
      #7  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Nov 2011
    Location: Tn
    Posts: 9,011
    Default

    Yes, definitely. It will probably shrink more in one direction than the other.
    cjsews is offline  
    Old 12-31-2014, 05:35 AM
      #8  
    Power Poster
     
    Join Date: Mar 2011
    Location: Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 41,533
    Default

    Okay I am going to go against the norm. If it had a cotton top and flannel back I would prewash. If the baby quilt is going to be all flannel and you don't have a fabric that is a bleeder ( check with a small piece) I wouldn't pre-wash.
    If you wash before you might get pills or very wrinkled fabric to work with.Do you want to know if the flannel is going to pill before using it? That's your call but I like a nice new looking flannel quilt for gifting and then include washing instructions with it.
    Tartan is offline  
    Old 12-31-2014, 07:06 AM
      #9  
    Super Member
     
    Join Date: Apr 2007
    Location: Alturas, CA
    Posts: 9,393
    Default

    If you wanted to do a rag quilt, don't pre-wash, otherwise, I would definitely pre-wash the fabrics.
    pocoellie is offline  
    Old 12-31-2014, 08:42 AM
      #10  
    Super Member
     
    GingerK's Avatar
     
    Join Date: Jul 2010
    Location: Ontario, Canada
    Posts: 3,584
    Default

    Okay, Tartan brought up a good point. My only concern would be that the quilt might end up being only 3/4 of the size you started with.
    GingerK is offline  
    Related Topics
    Thread
    Thread Starter
    Forum
    Replies
    Last Post
    CraftsByRobin
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    22
    10-28-2014 05:49 AM
    KimS
    Links and Resources
    5
    01-18-2012 05:26 PM
    Cybrarian
    Main
    6
    12-11-2011 08:06 PM
    BellaBoo
    General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
    6
    11-25-2009 07:05 PM
    slimfeather
    Introduce Yourself
    6
    07-07-2009 05:02 PM

    Posting Rules
    You may not post new threads
    You may not post replies
    You may not post attachments
    You may not edit your posts

    BB code is On
    Smilies are On
    [IMG] code is On
    HTML code is On
    Trackbacks are Off
    Pingbacks are Off
    Refbacks are Off



    FREE Quilting Newsletter