Flannel is a fabric that comes from childhood, soft and pleasant, just like the memories of that time. What kind of flannel fabric is, the composition and properties will be analyzed in detail in this article. Flannel is an extra soft brushed fabric. It can be plain, twill and less often, satin weave, both with one-sided pile and on both sides, usually dense and rather thick. The word flannel is feminine and translated from Italian as warm.
The history of flannel fabric
Flannel was first produced in England in the 17th century, but then it had a completely different appearance and scope. It was a purely woolen material, more often of light colors, dense and thick. Sewed from flannel mainly outerwear, skirts and capes. It was an expensive material that only the wealthy sections of society could afford. After the widespread use of cotton fiber in the weaving industry, flannel increasingly began to be made from cotton, and it became similar to the familiar matter to all of us.
Flannel properties, pros and cons
positive
- has a very soft and pleasant texture that suits even the most sensitive skin;
- good air permeability, which contributes to a comfortable feeling of use;
- retains heat well, but does not steam up the skin, therefore cotton flannel nappies are used all year round;
- flannel is very hygroscopic;
- natural species are hypoallergenic and do not cause allergic reactions;
- high wear resistance, this property is especially appreciated in baby clothes and flannel diapers for newborns, because they have to be washed often;
- holds its shape well, does not give strong shrinkage during washing, even at high temperatures;
- ease of care;
negative
- with frequent use and improper care, it can form pellets from deformation of the pile layer;
- quickly absorbs moisture, but dries for a long time;
Are flannel and bike the same thing?
Our mothers spoke not of flannel nappies, but of tales or bikes, as well as children's pajamas and super-comfortable home warm bathrobes. But they were actually flannel things, not bikes. Because the bike is much higher in density and much rougher in softness. The bike is used for technical needs, it is upholstered with furniture, musical instruments, since due to its special loose structure, the bike absorbs noise well.
Is flannel a bike? A flannel and a bike have a similar structure, they are also related by the presence of a pile surface, the only difference is in tactile sensations, the bike is rougher to the touch, but also has a longer service life, another name for the bike is harsh flannel.
What is better flannel or bike?
Flannel has a different purpose, it is used for sewing bed linen, flannel clothes for newborns, as well as diapers, soft flannel blankets, dressing gowns, warm pajamas and shirts. And a fairy tale or a bike, due to its coarser structure, is used as a technical fabric.
Flannel material composition
A flannel can have absolutely any set of fibers in its composition:
- natural flannel fabric is made from 100% cotton or 100% wool, a small part of silk fibers can be added to make it more soft;
- blended flannel is made from a mixture of natural and synthetic fibers, as well as artificial ones - polyester, acrylic, polyamide, acetate, viscose, siblon fiber, cotton, wool in different proportions and variations;
- synthetic flannel material is made exclusively of synthetic materials such as polyester, polyacrylic and polyamide;
Types of flannel fabrics by application:
- shirt flannel, shirts for men and women are sewn, as well as dress shirts, are used in the demi-season, as they have good thermal insulation properties. Plaid flannel shirts are popular and add a touch of warmth to a casual style. Made from cotton, wool and synthetic additives;
- flannel for diapers, a natural fabric made of pure cotton fiber with a density of 140 to 160 g / m2 is used, but there are variants of production in China with a composition of 50% cotton / 50% polyester, they differ in a cheaper price. If you want to buy natural flannel nappies for your child, you need to familiarize yourself with the composition of the material;
- flannel for bedding is a fabric of increased density from 160 to 250 g / m2 made of cotton fiber, used for sewing flannel bedding sets for off-season and winter, as they have a soft and warming fabric structure. High-quality flannel sets are produced in Ukraine, Turkey, Belarus. Flannel bedding is soft and pleasant to the touch, which are used in the cold season, as it retains heat well and heats up the body quickly;
- flannel rags are a kind of very soft fabric for wet cleaning of premises, since flannel absorbs water very well, and the villi absorb dirt qualitatively;
Recommendations for the selection of flannel products
High-quality flannel products cannot be too cheap, especially when it comes toabout natural flannel. If you are offered a very cheap option, you should think about it, because this means either poor-quality tailoring or an unnatural composition. This is especially true for products from China, the legislation of this country allows the production of absolutely any fabrics. If we are talking about flannel clothing for adults, then this can threaten with unpleasant sensations during wearing or a quick loss of appearance and shape. But when it comes to products for children, then here you need to be extremely careful and carefully study the composition of fabrics before buying. Feedback from other buyers, as well as close-up photos, will help distinguish high-quality products from their imitation.
How to care for flannel fabric
Flannel does not differ in whimsical care, a number of simple rules will help flannel products stay in good condition as long as possible.
- The first washing session should be carried out at a temperature not higher than 40 degrees, further depending on the composition of the flannel. natural flannel is washed at a temperature not exceeding 60 degrees; for mixed and synthetic types, it is not recommended to exceed a temperature of 40 degrees;
- turn inside out and fasten all buttons or zippers when washing;
- do not exceed the loading of the washing machine by more than half, in order to exclude abrasion of the lint from the flannel;
- do not use aggressive and chlorine-containing detergents, but only gentle ones are better in liquid form;
- to give additional softness, it is possible to add a 10-20 ml glycerin solution to one of 3-4 washing cycles;
- dry with sufficient humidity and even heat, because flannel dries long enough to prevent the appearance of an off-fresh odor, it is recommended to use a dehumidifier.
