eparys

I totally agree with quiltnutt. The only time I pre wash flannel is if it were mixed with regular cotton fabrics on the top or the back to a quilt that was made with regular fabrics but even then I NEVER prewash precuts! Yes - flannel shrinks more than regular quilting cotton BUT by prewashing the precuts you risk fraying and distortion and then - you have the dreaded ironing (lol).

If it is all the same quality fabric then I would assemble the quilt as is. Yes - the fabric will shrink after washing but it will be proportional to one another and you will not see it.

quilttiger

Years ago. I asked a LQS owner about prewashing flannels. She replied she doesn't prewash them. I don't, either. The only time I would prewash flannel is for clothing apparel such as a shirt or nightgown.

quiltinghere

I think you'll be fine not washing the flannel.

Nancy

quilterpurpledog

First of all, I think the pattern you have chosen to do is a great choice for the flannels you are working with. If you want the best finished product possible there are steps to take. Some flannel shrinks a great deal. It depends on the quality. I have had some flannel (name brands like Moda and Maywood) that had little shrinkage. Others, from chain stores were loosely woven with yarns that were not tightly twisted, shrank a lot. Because you have a variety of pieces it is important to get the shrinkage out. Hot water and an iron will take care of the problem. Use the hottest water out of the tap. Fill the sink. Add the fabric pieces (you might want to use a lingerie bag for some of the smallest pieces). Let it soak for a while. Drain the water out, squeeze (don't wring) the excess water out. Dry by hanging on hangers or a line and iron with a hot iron. I like to use steam when I iron them. Be sure you wait until the pieces are completely dry before storing them. Just be a bit patient and you will be fine.

Becky Andersen

I love those fabrics together! I do make a lot of flannel quilts and buy good quality flannels. I do not pre-wash because I like the slightly crinkled look and feel when washed after quilting. I do steam the fabric before cutting and it does seem to shrink. If I think something may shrink a lot because it feels thin or is loosely woven then I cut a three inch square and steam it really well. Then measure. If it really shrinks badly, I will pre-wash that. If I pre wash, then I will starch flannel after drying. To me it is easier to work with before washing or after starching. I find I can be more accurate. Your quilt will be beautiful no matter which way you go.

cannyquilter

Maniac quilter2. Just a heads up I made this quilt following the link you gave me on the thread looking for a pattern for a baby quilt. The instructions are not very clear and using the instructions the chevrons were vertical rather than horizontal. You can probably adapt it or I didn't follow them correctly. Interested in how you get on. I washed some flannel for the backing and just dried it over a radiator no problems so think your suggestion would work.

Charleen DiSante

Very good point, cheshirecatquilter.

cathyvv

Wash them in your sink, then take them to the laundromat, or ask one of the people in the church group to dry them in a dryer for you. but before you go through that, ask the folks in the church group if they were already washed and pre-shrunk!

If you wash them in a washing machine, put them in lingerie bags or a pillow case so that the strips don't tangle up together. I have used the lingerie bag successfullly, and I think if you pinned the end of a pillow case pinned closed You would get the same result.

cathyvv

Haven't tried that, but i think the shrinking of a finished quilt would cause the quilt to go out of shape when it is washed and dried. No two fabrics ever shrink exactly the same amount.

sprice

I just made a kid's charity quilt out of flannel. I didn't prewash any of it. figure it will all shrink at the same rate later. I was worried that the fabric would become real loose and unstable and didn't want to deal with that. Wasn't going to use starch for a kid's quilt.