To pre wash or not... that is the question

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02-17-2011, 04:12 PM

#11

JanetM

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Flannel generally shrinks, and some can shrink a lot. I would prewash it for sure.

02-17-2011, 04:31 PM

#12

quilting cat

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Location: Lake Stevens, WA

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Be sure you zig-zag or overcast cut ends before washing! It will save a few inches of usable fabric from raveling!

02-17-2011, 04:35 PM

#13

maryb119

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Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: Iowa

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Wash it! Flannel shrinks more than regular cotton does.

02-17-2011, 04:40 PM

#14

Furza Flyin

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Location: Oregon

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I prewash and I add full strength liquid starch in the fabric softner cup instead of fabric softner. Helps crisp it up a bit.

02-17-2011, 05:02 PM

#15

LMB

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Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Michigan

Posts: 205

OK/// now I need to know one more thing... if I make a rag baby quilt out of some of this, and I dont wash it first...do I use a center of batting between the two layers like I did with my cotton rag quilt? Like I said, I never used flannel before for quilts so I am getting an education here and I do thank you all sooooo much. (i like the zig zag the edge thing... would never have thought of that. Also the starch thing... never in a million years would it have dawned on me to try that.

02-17-2011, 06:01 PM

#16

pocoellie

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I've only made 3 flannel rag quilts and I did put batting in between, I guess it's all in how you want to do them, either way is fine.

Thanks Furza Flyin, I never even thought of putting the starch instead of the softener.

02-17-2011, 07:48 PM

#17

Jim's Gem

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Location: Camarillo, California

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Always prewash flannel!!!

02-17-2011, 07:54 PM

#18

jaciqltznok

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Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: Enid, OK

Posts: 8,273

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckcowl

yes, pre=wash the flannel. some people say to wash it twice, but i only wash it once, toss it in the dryer, and press it...flannels if thin may need a little starch to help keep them straight for cutting. i use lots of flannels living in Northern Michigan and have found some of joannes flannels seem thin before washing but are better after...they (fluff up..) but they also shrink alot so it's important to pre==wash. i always use cotton batting with flannel too, you get a nice fluffy soft quilt

Perfect answer!

02-17-2011, 08:39 PM

#19

natalieg

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Join Date: Jul 2010

Location: Montana

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Definitely wash!

02-18-2011, 04:46 AM

#20

damaquilts

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Join Date: Jan 2008

Location: Barnesville GA

Posts: 3,181

I always wash flannel. Hot water and hot dryer . I want that stuff to shrink as much as its going to before I put it in a quilt or really use it for anything. Washed some once normal temp and made jammie pants. Shrunk two inches. Learned my lesson.