bkay

I have some old flannel fabric I bought a while back at an estate sale. Most are fat quarters or so. I have two sets, one is floral and one is plaid. I also have a small stack of 10X10 squares that might mix with either set. Some of it is high quality (Marcus Brothers) and some is not. I'd like to make this quilt with one set of them.

I'll have to buy some solids and the backing for this quilt. It's been suggested that all flannel be prewashed and dried because of the shrinkage. Would you wash all of the fabric for the quilt? If I only wash the purchased fabrics, am I asking for a wonky quilt?

bkay
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newbee3

if it feels like good flannel I would not bother to wash make your seams a little bigger

SuziSew

Bkay, It's a really personal decision and I'm sure you will get different opinions, but if it were me, I'd wash them first. You say some are name brand and some aren't so if you wait to wash it may shrink differently in different blocks. One thing I wouldn't do is mix washed and unwashed, especially with flannel. Wash one-wash all!

Looks like you have a great collection, I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

cashs_mom

Nice fabrics! I agree with Suzi, it's really up to you but whatever you decide do them all the same. Personally, I'd mix some of the plaids with the florals. But I'm weird like that

QuiltnNan

i would wash them all... removes chemicals, finds bleeders, and not all flannels shrink the same amount.

Irishrose2

I am a washer, but I'd hesitate to put the 10" squares in the dryer. I'd wash them in a lingerie bag and spread them out to dry.

Jingle

I would not prewash any cut squares. I would just take a chance. Next time I would only buy yardage. Then you could wash and dry before using.

zozee

I'd wash all the fabric together, but would put all the 10" squares with about 3 color catchers in a lingerie bag. I would dry them all together as well, so that they will shrink consistently if they're going to. (Take squares out of lingerie bag to dry, so they tumble and not stay bunched up.

Sew Freak

I always wash first...no regrets!! LUV all your flannels!!!!

Chris G

Yes...fabric from different sources will shrink at different rates. Plus you will release some of the looser lint on those flannels. If they are pre cuts, I would soak like colors in hot water and dry outside, print down, in the sun