Quilting with Flannel

New flannel is a pain; but if it comes from shirts - which have obviously been washed many times - it will no longer shrink. However, it can still fray. I have always heard a recommendation that half inch seams are used. This would make a complex pattern a bit dodgy. So, simple is good. Last week we had a thread talking about disappearing nine-patch. It was very straightforward and looks like it has a lot more going on than it actually does. I would think that would be a great idea. It's almost as simple as sewing squares together, but doesn't look that way. If you go to Google 'Groups', then type rec.crafts.textiles.quilting, and put 'disappearing nine-patch' into the search box, hopefully these messages will come up. . In message , Michelle writes

Some of that flannel is probably going to be very soft and you might have a time getting it to behave. You will look rather silly doing it but I'll bet it would help to spray starch and iron those. You wouldn't have to bother with collars and cuffs so it wouldn't be a hard job. Don't give much thought to having the plaids perfectly true and straight. It won't be possible to have the plaids match anyway. Michelle, I recently made a plaid quilt for a graduation present. It is "A Tad Plaid" from QNM May 2002. I'll be happy to try to scan and send a picture of it to you. Failing that, I could simply mail you the magazine. Would you like to see it? Polly

I've done what Polly suggested - used spray starch and/or sizing on flannel. Makes it much easier to handle. I would pick a really simple pattern and not use a pattern that required bias edges.

Donna in (SW) Idaho

I made a log cabin out of flannel and love it. I had no trouble working with flannel, I didn't even prewash it. As a matter of fact I made so many blocks I got an extra quilt I gave to a friend who loves it.

Tamara

Patti wrote: