Sewing on flannel

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I am making pajamas for my nieces and bought some cute lightweight flannel. I haven't washed it and it is still kind of stiff. I know you are supposed to wash fabric before you sew it, but it sure would be easier to cut out and sew with it still a little stiff. Do we think it would be okay to wash the pjs after construction?

 

[steigersa]

I know your supposed to wash fabric before sewing but I never wash it. I like the way it is when it's still starched. LOL I love pajamas when they are just made and look new not washed alrea

 

[NanaKat]

Yes, you can wash it after you sew...but remember that flannel is cotton and will shrink some when washed.
It is usually in the length so allow a little extra when you hem them. I usually allow an extra 1/2 inch.
Besides children seem to grow in the spring.

 

[ChickiKat]

Yeah, I agree, I would oversize so when washed they will shrink to the proper size.

 

[wyoDreamer]

Just a comment - whenever I sew with flannel, I need to cleanout the sewing machine more often. That fuzz gets underneath in the bobbin area and causes it to tangle up the bobbin thread.

Personally, for PJ's I would probably wash it to pre-shrink it - then I would iron and starch it.

It is a nice effect on a quilt when the flannel pieces all shrink up in different directions and different amounts. That makes the quilt seem so cozy.
PJ's - maybe not so much if the pieces shrink in different directions.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Flannel does shrink a lot more than regular cloth fabric.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Thanks, y'all! I will go the wash it and iron it route then. I don't want to go through all the effort to make them just to have them shrink funny. This weekend is the sewing marathon. Wish me luck!

 

[dfr1973]

I was warned when planning to sew with cotton flannel that it doesn't just shrink - it's a "progressive shrinker" so I washed mine three times before cutting. And YES flannel fuzzes up a machine every bit as badly as fleece does.

 

[sheaviance1]

Quote:
Sorry, going to hijack for a minute here....you live very near me!!!! I don't know but one other BYCer in this area

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Hey, Shia!!! There are a ton of Middle TN BYCers. Hop over on the Middle TN thread. There are some really, really fun people in this area. We do meet ups every so often for a late lunch and chicken talk.