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    Question about Flannel

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    Old 07-01-2011, 03:00 PM
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    I have never used flannel before and I recently got some off of a lady on craigslist. It smells slightly of smoke, can I wash it before i use it?
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    Old 07-01-2011, 03:04 PM
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    You MUST wash flannel before use. It shrinks like crazy. Measure it, wash, dry measure it again and wash and dry it again and re-measure. It may take several wash dry cycles before it stops shrinking. It will be very soft and cuddly when you are done.
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    Old 07-01-2011, 03:14 PM
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    By all means WASH IT. It can shrink 2-6 inches a yard. I made an ankle length nightgown of unwashed flannel. It shrank so much it was calf length after I washed it. Now I buy extra.
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    Old 07-01-2011, 04:54 PM
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    Also tends to fray in the wash. I serge the cut edges before I wash. If you don't have a serger, you can use a zigzag stitch close to the edge.
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    Old 07-01-2011, 04:55 PM
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    Sorry, double post.
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    Old 07-01-2011, 05:19 PM
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    Originally Posted by PaperPrincess
    You MUST wash flannel before use. It shrinks like crazy. Measure it, wash, dry measure it again and wash and dry it again and re-measure. It may take several wash dry cycles before it stops shrinking. It will be very soft and cuddly when you are done.
    I agree. Learned this the hard way.
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    Old 07-01-2011, 05:25 PM
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    OH DEAR! I may be in for trouble!! I'm a newbie and didn't know about washing flannel BEFORE making a quilt. I'm just finishing a rag quilt and the back is 14" squares of flannel. OMGosh - this should be interesting. I wonder if I just wasted a lot of time and fabric?!
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    Old 07-01-2011, 05:32 PM
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    You may have made your 1st truely wonky quilt. Someone will love it.
    Originally Posted by carolynbb
    OH DEAR! I may be in for trouble!! I'm a newbie and didn't know about washing flannel BEFORE making a quilt. I'm just finishing a rag quilt and the back is 14" squares of flannel. OMGosh - this should be interesting. I wonder if I just wasted a lot of time and fabric?!
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    Old 07-01-2011, 06:39 PM
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    Originally Posted by carolynbb
    OH DEAR! I may be in for trouble!! I'm a newbie and didn't know about washing flannel BEFORE making a quilt. I'm just finishing a rag quilt and the back is 14" squares of flannel. OMGosh - this should be interesting. I wonder if I just wasted a lot of time and fabric?!
    When I make flannel rag quilts, I don't prewash my flannel. I do use flannel on both sides though.
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    Old 07-01-2011, 06:44 PM
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    glad Iv read this post I just got alot of flannel from a friend, I'll make sure to get it washed tomorrow before I start playing with it
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