Question about flannel
#1
Question about flannel
Hello,
I'm making a youth quilt. My top is pieced with cotton quilting material. I want to use flannel for the backing. I love traditional quilts but the softness of flannel is so irresistable. My question is about pre-washing. I did not pre wash my top. Will the flannel shrink more than my top? I'm wondering if I should pre wash the flannel even though I did not prewash my traditional cotton top? Thanks for your help.
I'm making a youth quilt. My top is pieced with cotton quilting material. I want to use flannel for the backing. I love traditional quilts but the softness of flannel is so irresistable. My question is about pre-washing. I did not pre wash my top. Will the flannel shrink more than my top? I'm wondering if I should pre wash the flannel even though I did not prewash my traditional cotton top? Thanks for your help.
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
yes you should pre-wash your flannel- some people insist on pre-washing flannel 3 or more times---i never do- i've been using flannels for over 40 years- i love flannel! and back many quilts with it- i incorporate it into the tops of quilts- i use flannel when ever i feel it is the right choice for what i am doing- i pre-wash ONE time-- batting and quilting have as much (and more) to do with final results as the fabrics do--
flannel has a looser weave than the regular cottons we use- pre-washing tightens up that weave giving you a more *luxurious* soft/fluffy fabric with good body. and makes wonderful cozy quilts!
flannel has a looser weave than the regular cottons we use- pre-washing tightens up that weave giving you a more *luxurious* soft/fluffy fabric with good body. and makes wonderful cozy quilts!
#4
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,861
You can pretty much guarantee that flannelette WILL shrink!
Because of the looser weaves of flannelette, thus the shrinkage.
I read something recently, that you can expect at least 5% shrink.
That would meanfor 40" WOF, a 5% shrinkage would be two inches.
I've had it shrink more on repeated washings.
Quilting cottos , some shrink, some not so much.
So there is less risk by not pre-washing, though there is a risk.
Though if one shrinks a lot, and the fabric next to it doesn't ... what do you have?
As for fabric bleeding ... quilting cottons and flannelettes are all susceptable.
Washing them once, does not mean you have dealt with that issue.
Because of the looser weaves of flannelette, thus the shrinkage.
I read something recently, that you can expect at least 5% shrink.
That would meanfor 40" WOF, a 5% shrinkage would be two inches.
I've had it shrink more on repeated washings.
Quilting cottos , some shrink, some not so much.
So there is less risk by not pre-washing, though there is a risk.
Though if one shrinks a lot, and the fabric next to it doesn't ... what do you have?
As for fabric bleeding ... quilting cottons and flannelettes are all susceptable.
Washing them once, does not mean you have dealt with that issue.
#5
Yes...yes...yes...please wash the flannel...it will really really shrink. My personal recommendation would be wash, hot water, dry-hot dryer and then do it again.....Measure you pieces you will be VERY surprised had how much it will shrink....would also recommend you pink the raw edges as they will ravel like crazy.
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,789
yes you should pre-wash your flannel- some people insist on pre-washing flannel 3 or more times---i never do- i've been using flannels for over 40 years- i love flannel! and back many quilts with it- i incorporate it into the tops of quilts- i use flannel when ever i feel it is the right choice for what i am doing- i pre-wash ONE time-- batting and quilting have as much (and more) to do with final results as the fabrics do--
flannel has a looser weave than the regular cottons we use- pre-washing tightens up that weave giving you a more *luxurious* soft/fluffy fabric with good body. and makes wonderful cozy quilts!
flannel has a looser weave than the regular cottons we use- pre-washing tightens up that weave giving you a more *luxurious* soft/fluffy fabric with good body. and makes wonderful cozy quilts!
#8
Power Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,861
Yes...yes...yes...please wash the flannel...it will really really shrink. My personal recommendation would be wash, hot water, dry-hot dryer and then do it again.....Measure you pieces you will be VERY surprised had how much it will shrink....would also recommend you pink the raw edges as they will ravel like crazy.
Or instead of the pinking of edges ... zigzag stitching help hold it together.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Andrea7
Main
12
05-05-2010 05:50 PM