LMB

JoAnn Fabric had flannel fabric on sale and I got... um... LOTS!
I want to make baby quilts... anyway, I never made them out of flannel before so here's my question... do I pre wash the fabric before I cut and sew, or after? Thanks much quilters.

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

CarrieAnne

Yes, I would prewash flannel for sure.

MadQuilter

Absolutely. Flannel has a much higher shrink rate than regular cotton. The only time I do not prewash flannel is when I make Chenille.

mosquitosewgirl

Yes. Yes. Yes.

quiltpd

Yes, definitely wash it !! Flannel needs to be pre-shrunk.

pocoellie

I normally don't pre-wash my fabrics, but I do with flannels, with the exception if I'm going to make a "rag" quilt, then don't pre-wash.

deema

For flannel, before cutting, always. On hot, dry hot. Maybe even more than once.

I'm normally NOT a pre-washer, but flannel is a big shrinker.

LMB

Thank you all so much. I knew not to take it upon myself to decide... I would have cut it all up and off the the machine. I love being able to have quilters in the know to ask. This is a great place~!
Ckcowl I love your quilt~!

Lori S

I agree with everyone! Flannels REALLY shrink. Wash and completely dry in a HOT dryer.