Wendys Quilts

Ohhhhhh I just received my fabric from CT! It is the Mirage, Flannel, red. It feels amazing! Now, my question is.....should I wash this before I use it for backing??? How many times should i wash it??? Hot or cold water???? I dont usually wash my fabrics before I make my quilts. But I know flannel shrinks some/alot. I dont know. Anyone use Connecting Threads flannel yet? Any help would greatly be apprectiated.
Wendy

NJ Quilter

Have not used CT flannel. But I'd wash it. A) it's flannel; B) it's red! I usually pre-wash all my fabrics and wash them the same way I do my clothing. Usually warm water, perm. press cycle. Same for drying. Since you're dealing with red you may want to toss in a color catcher or 2. If it comes out pink, wash again. Repeat as necessary.

mighty

This is what I would do also! I use zigzag stitch on edge of my fabric so it will not ravel.

Wendys Quilts

Thank you. Another question, if the color catches still have pink in it, dont dry after first wash. Just start laundry again?

JanTx

I do not prewash all fabrics, but I do prewash flannel.

Grama Lehr

It seems like RED always bleeds.
Flannel almost always shrinks.

I would say wash and dry it ahead of time, it only makes it softer!!!

PaperPrincess

Measure, wash, dry repeat until it stops shrinking.
As far as the bleeding is concerned, I would dry it before re-washing. Sometimes the heat of the dryer will set the color. I know that the dryer will sure set stains!

Buckeye Rose

definitely prewash....I just finished a quilt with CT flannel and there was a bit of shrinkage, but not much

ckcowl

i ALWAYS pre-wash flannels- regardless of brand/color -- flannels tend to be a bit looser weave- prewashing tightens them up & takes care of the excessive shrinkage (which is normal for flannels) i only wash & dry it once- regular cycle, warm or cold water- regular detergent, regular dryer setting. i tend to treat it the way i think the finished quilt will be laundered.- the only exception is if i'm using it for a raggy quilt- then i don't bother pre=washing.

NJ Quilter

In that case I'd probably dry and then wash again with more color catchers just for kicks & giggles. As someone else mentioned, yes the dryer could easily set the colors as it does such an amazing job with stains!