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Thread: Major shrinkage

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  1. #1
    Loonwatcher's Avatar Loonwatcher is offline Senior Member
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    Unhappy Major shrinkage

    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.
    Last edited by Loonwatcher; June 28th, 2012 at 08:00 AM.
    Nancy

    I got a sewing machine for my husband. Good trade, huh!?!

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    buckeyequilter's Avatar buckeyequilter is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Major shrinkage

    From what I've read - yes flannel does shrink so it should always be pre-washed.
    Shirley aka buckeyequilter
    I work to support a sewing habit that I don't have time for, because I work!

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    Bubby's Avatar Bubby is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Major shrinkage

    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

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    RiverMomm is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Major shrinkage

    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.

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    SummerK's Avatar SummerK is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Major shrinkage

    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*
    Come by and see what I'm up to on my blog...
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    bec's Avatar
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    bec is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Major shrinkage

    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.
    Bec

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    madampolo's Avatar madampolo is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Major shrinkage

    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.
    Joyce "She who dies with the most fabric wins!!"

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    cyndiofthevortex's Avatar cyndiofthevortex is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Major shrinkage

    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.
    Cyndi


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    CrazyMtnLady's Avatar CrazyMtnLady is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Major shrinkage

    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.
    Donna
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    EnumclawGramma's Avatar EnumclawGramma is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: Major shrinkage

    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!
    ~~Libby~~

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