Flannel season doesn't ask permission - one cool morning and suddenly everyone wants a rag quilt. Riley Blake makes some of the softest quilting flannel in the business, and our RB flannel wall has grown into eight distinct collections. Here's the whole lineup, from baby-shower staples to cabin-quilt woodland prints.
Northern Lights: The Winter Showstopper
Polar bears, fair isle, and aurora skies. Start with Polar Bears in Glacier, layer in Fair Isle Glacier and the Aurora in Turquoise, then finish with Let It Snow in Sky or Red. This is the collection for the Christmas-morning quilt.
Winter Magic
The softer winter option - woodland animals and snowflakes in nursery blues. Winter Animals in Aqua, Blue, and Navy, plus Snowflakes and Swirls in Navy to blend.
Into the Woods
The cabin collection - earthy woodland in cream, tan, brown, and rust. Animals in Tan is the feature print; Trees comes in Cream, Brown, and Rust; Triangles in Cream, Brown, and Rust is the geometric glue. A full quilt straight off this one wall.
Lil Buckaroos: The Western Nursery
The biggest flannel family we carry - cowboy nursery prints in aqua, pink, cream, red, and brown. Giddy Up in Aqua, Pink, and Cream; Horseshoes in Aqua, Pink, and Brown; Paisley in Aqua, Red, and Brown. Pairs perfectly with the Calico Cowgirls cotton for a ranch-family set.
Safari Stargazing
Baby animals under night skies: Boy Main in Baby Blue, Girl Main in Mist, and Stars in Mint and Pink.
The Basics: POParazzi, Dots, and Friends
Every flannel quilt needs blenders. POParazzi is the go-to: Baby Blue, Butter, Pink Dogwood, and Cherry. Flannel Dots in Red and Baby Blue round it out, and Little Swan in Blush and Woolies Holiday Warmth cover the specialty corners.
Stitcher's Flannel Precuts
Skip the cutting table entirely: 2.5-inch strips (40 pieces) for jelly-roll-race quilts and 5-inch squares (42 pieces) for the fastest rag quilt you'll ever make.
Corey's Flannel Rules
Pre-wash everything - flannel shrinks 5 to 8 percent and does it unevenly. Use a slightly larger seam allowance (3/8 inch beats 1/4 inch on flannel), lengthen your stitch, and pair flannel tops with a low-loft cotton batting so the quilt drapes instead of boards up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riley Blake flannel good quality?
Yes - Riley Blake quilting flannel is a tightly woven, double-brushed cotton flannel that pills less and holds up to repeated washing better than bargain flannel. It's a quilt-shop-quality cloth.
Should I pre-wash flannel before quilting?
Always. Flannel shrinks 5 to 8 percent - more than standard quilting cotton - and washing first prevents your finished quilt from puckering unevenly.
What seam allowance should I use for flannel?
Many quilters bump up to 3/8 inch for flannel because the looser weave frays more than regular cotton. If you stay at 1/4 inch, shorten your stitch length for security.
What batting works best with flannel quilts?
Low-loft cotton or 80/20 blend batting keeps flannel quilts drapey and soft. High-loft polyester with flannel can make a quilt feel stiff and heavy.
