Introduction to fabrics: Flannel

Anyone who has a set of fleecy pyjamas made of cotton flannel and downy bedding will know how to make things really cosy. The fabrics experts at myfabrics.co.uk will tell you how to use flannel and care for it properly:

The fabric:
Flannel is defined as a linen weave or twill weave product consisting of cotton or wool. It may be roughened on one side or both sides and is therefore thicker and softer than normal woven fabric, plus it is light-weight. Bedding made of roughened cotton is called beaver cloth. The name originates in the 18th century, when beaver fur was actually used for warm bedding.
Cotton flannel is often used to produce warm bedding and pyjamas, but it is also used for thicker cotton shirts. Flannel suit fabrics made of wool may also be lightly milled.

Care tips:
As with all cotton fabrics, it is recommended that the fabric is washed prior to production at the recommended temperature, since it will shrink. Coloured or printed cotton flannel should be washed with gentle washing powder on a gentle setting at lower spin cycles (approx. 800 rpm). Bedding may be may be turned inside-out prior to washing to avoid pilling. Jeans should not be added to the wash cycle for the same reason.

Flannel made of 100% wool may not be washed in a machine. Slight spots may be brushed out after drying. Slight odours will disappear after a night of airing out. For tougher stains and odours, dry cleaning is recommended.

Production tips:
Flannel is a normally strong fabric and therefore well-suited to regular needle thickness (approx. 70 to 80) and thread tension, and stitches should be made at lengths of 2 to 3 mm. A classic casting stitch, e.g. zigzag, is sufficient for either fabric quality (both cotton and wool), since these do not fray easily.

» Flannel at myfabrics.co.uk

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