Major shrinkage

[Loonwatcher]

Ivebeen making small baby quilts for gifts for people that I don't really know well. They are a great size for a carriage or the car seat - about receiving blanket size. Quick to make up. The one I posted earlier this week was about 33" x 33" but when I washed it it lost about three inches each way. Isn't that a lot of shrinkage for such a small item? It was all flannel. I usually only wash after the quilt is done (no pre washing) because I'm so anxious to get started.

Does flannel usually shrink that much? If so, I guess I better learn to take the time to pre wash.

[buckeyequilter]

From what I've read - yes flannel does shrink so it should always be pre-washed.

[Bubby]

Nancy,

Flannel does shrink a lot, and it can shrink the next time it's washed and dried also. Except for rag quilts I always pre-wash flannel. Some flannels are really stable and shrink very little, but there's no way of knowing how it will react. Sorry this happened to your quilts! Barb

[RiverMomm]

Flannel shrinks up a LOT. And it also depends on the brand of flannel. I don't prewash for rag quilts but I do plan for the shrinkage for the finished size. I found that Maywood flannel is thicker and doesn't shrink as much as some other flannels.

[SummerK]

Oh Nancy, I'm so sorry it shrinked so much! Flannel shrinks A LOT and will continue to shrink up to 2 or 3 washing sometimes. It's always good to buy extra flannel and prewash it before using it. *hugs*

[bec]

I've read that you should wash flannel at least 3 times before using it. I'm thinking that it probably wouldn't hurt to wash in hot water one of the times.

[madampolo]

Thanks for the info on flannel. I made three rag quilts for the grandkids and didn't prewash, but did wash them before giving it to them. I didn't notice any shrinkage, but I bet it did. They were smaller, lap size quilts anyway, so if they shrank, it didn't much matter. But, in the future, I will prewash flannel. My niece is expecting a baby, and I was thinking of making her recieving blankets and burp cloths, so this info is timely.

[cyndiofthevortex]

I needed to hear this! I've never used flannel before for a quilt and didn't know that it shrunk so much. I'm planning on using it for the back of a homespun quilt and I do not want the quilt to shrink! Sounds like three time's the charm.

[CrazyMtnLady]

Thanks for the heads up on the shrinkage. I just bought some flannel to back the baby quilts I am making. I will definitely wash it before I use it.

[EnumclawGramma]

When I started quilting all I used was flannel. I made several quilts, never ever prewashed! OOPS! And I am guessing I didn't notice shrinkage because I was just so thrilled to see what I made and then see how happy the recipient was! I will for sure keep this in mind when using flannel from now on....did not know this!