carolaug

I just washed my flannel fabric and it shrunk 5 inches. Is that normal. I know that flannel shrinks but that seem is a lot. Glad I bought a half yard more than pattern suggested.

QuiltE

Yes. Quite normal and totally expected with flannelettes.

I would rewash it again .... and you might find it will shrink even more!
If so, keep rewashing it, until it stops shrinking.

My personal rule of thumb ... use the hottest water possible and the hottest drier, to brutalize it the best I can, before I start cutting and sewing.

Good Luck!

Peckish

Yep, very normal for flannel. And I agree with washing again, maybe even wash and dry on the hottest temps to encourage the flannel to get all the shrink out of its system.

dunster

Some flannel shrinks more than others, and they all seem to shrink more in one direction than in the other. Fading can also be a huge issue. Wash, dry, repeat until you're sure it's the size it wants to be.

carolaug

Thank you. Seems like every time I wash it they shrink more. Good for those long PJ's I made. After 6 washes they are just right. Just hope they stop shrinking.