Flannel: what is it, properties and varieties

Among the impressive number of fabrics on the market, flannel, which has been successfully used for several centuries, occupies a fairly prominent place. This is due not only to the positive properties of this material, but also to its many varieties offered by manufacturers. This combination naturally attracts the attention of potential buyers, which regularly finds its practical confirmation.

The material in question is a woolen, half-woolen or cotton fabric, which is characterized by the presence of a rare fleece-pile. The latter can be either one- or two-sided, but its first type is much more common. The earliest mentions of flannel date back to the 17th century - the time when it became widespread in Wales. In the old days, this fabric was made from woolen yarn, and later thick cotton thread and other components were used in its manufacture.

As for the name of the described material, researchers interpret its origin in different ways. Some point to the Old French word "flaine" meaning "blanket", while others prefer the explanation that the term "flannel" is borrowed from the Welsh language and is translated as "woolen cloth". It is easy to see that both options have the right to exist, each of which is associated with softness, warmth and comfort.

Regardless of the specifics of its composition, flannel is characterized by the following key features:

• the use of a twill or plain weave variety;
• significant density, which does not provide for the presence of a gap between the threads;
• fluffy bristles with a pleasant touch.

At first, products made from the fabric in question were not cheap, and therefore were available only to wealthy people. The development of machine production significantly reduced its cost, thanks to which most interested parties could sew flannel clothing. In Russia, however, this material gained popularity in the 18th century under Peter I, who decided to use it to equip soldiers of his army.

Depending on the specifics of the components used, there are 3 main types of the described fabric - woolen, semi-woolen and cotton. The first appeared earlier than others and dominated the market until the end of the 19th century, and the wool of domestic sheep was used as a raw material for its production. In the XX century, flannel began to be obtained from another popular raw material - cotton, adding synthetic components to it if necessary.

Currently, the cotton type of the described fabric is the most common. Combined options are also in demand, providing for the presence of additives of artificial origin. An example is viscose fiber, which is a product of natural cellulose processing. The presence of this component gives the products an effective shine, and its content can reach up to 20% (the specific value is determined by the manufacturer).

In addition, flannel is made from semi-wool. The first component of this material is clear from its name, and the second most often is the already mentioned cotton. Many textile workers prefer other additives - for example, a combination of silk and viscose, for a durable fabric with a great look.

The material in question has a number of remarkable qualities.

• Surface pleasant to the touch. Flannel is one of the most delicate fabrics due to its soft, fluffy pile. This advantage is especially true for young children, who are least fond of "biting" materials.
• The ability to retain heat. Flannel products allow you to keep warm with minimal time costs, reliably protecting their owners from hypothermia. Considering this quality of the described material, experts classify it as a winter category, which is confirmed by the traditional classification of fabrics.
• High strength. This property is explained by the composition of the flannel and the density of the weave of its threads (from 170 to 260 g / m²), which provide resistance to strong mechanical stress.
• Good breathability. This fabric belongs to the "breathable" materials that provide an optimal gas and moisture composition of the underwear space. For this reason, flannel products are suitable for changing babies whose skin is most sensitive.
• Resistant to wear and tear. Experience shows that the fabric in question is not afraid of frequent bending, friction and stretching, and therefore it can be used for many years.
• Unpretentiousness. Caring for flannel products is quite simple, which is primarily important for its cotton variation. The presence of wool in the fabric requires more care, but also is not particularly difficult.
• Health safety. The described material does not provoke the development of allergic reactions and other skin irritations.

As for the flannel shortcomings, their list is as follows:

• abrasion of the pile, which manifests itself over time (this does not affect the strength of the material);
• high hygroscopicity, due to which the fabric dries longer than most consumers would like;
• the tendency to crease certain types of flannel (while they are easily smoothed).

In addition, the presented material shrinks after washing in hot water (provided that it is natural).

There are several types of flannel, which differ from each other in the method of coloring used.

• Harsh. An unpainted type of canvas, most often used for technical needs.
• Plain dyed. Fabric made from pre-dyed yarns.
• Printed. Material characterized by the presence of a pattern on one side.
• Bleached. The most popular type of flannel, used both without dyes and for further printing on it.

It is also necessary to mention two other popular varieties of the described material - shirt, having a checkered or striped pattern, and negligent, allowing for a variety of options for external design. White-earth flannel is also in great demand, a characteristic feature of which is the presence of a small print - children's toys, fairy-tale characters, flowers, miniature inscriptions on a white main background.

Despite the fact that sometimes flannel is equated with a bike, there is a very significant difference between these fabrics. The first material is thinner and softer, and the second has a much higher hairiness and surface density of the fabric. The value of the latter for flannel is about 215 g / m², while for a bike it exceeds 350 g / m². In addition, the second of the fabrics under consideration always has a pile on both sides, which is one of its characteristic features.

Another material belonging to the insulated category is boomazey. In terms of its properties, this cotton fabric is very close to flannel, but differs from it in a slightly greater thickness and density. In addition, a characteristic feature of bumazeye is a fleece on one of the sides - as a rule, the seamy side.

Fleece is also worthy of consideration, the main difference of which from flannel lies in its origin: it is made from polyester fibers, and therefore belongs to the synthetic category. Another feature of it is the ejection of moisture outside, and not its absorption, which makes it especially popular with athletes, tourists, fishermen and hunters.

The fourth material, which is very similar to flannel in characteristics, is flannelette, also called winsiette - the same fluffy, but slightly lighter and softer. By origin, it can be semi-woolen or cotton, and the products that are most often made from it are bedding sets. They organically combine softness and the ability to keep warm, and therefore are ideal for cold nights, guaranteeing maximum comfort to their wearers.

One of those tasks for the solution of which flannel is most often used is the manufacture of children's underwear. In most cases, a printed version of this material is used for this, which makes it possible to negate the effect of dyes on the child's skin.

Also, depending on the type of flannel, many other popular products are sewn from it:

• bleached - first of all, bedding;
• plain dyed - coats, suits and other plain clothes;
• shirt - insulated products that are in demand among lovers of informal style (checkered shirts are the most popular);
• negligent - as a rule, women's dressing gowns and dresses;
• harsh unbleached - items for wiping, as well as products used for pasting piano hammers and other percussion parts of musical instruments.

In order for flannel products to delight their owners as long as possible, the latter should pay due attention to their care. For the cotton variety of this fabric, it provides for the following recommendations.

• It is advisable to carry out the first wash in cool water, and the next one at a temperature of 60-90 ° C.
• To give the products maximum softness, they need to be rinsed with the addition of glycerin (the optimal concentration is 1 tbsp. L. Per 10 l of water).
• It is reasonable to refuse the use of chlorine and other aggressive bleaching ingredients in order to avoid weakening of the fabric fibers.
• Rubbing stains can cause the lint to roll off prematurely. The best solution in such situations is the use of delicate agents that remove dirt without strong mechanical stress.
• It is advisable to dry the products in the shade, avoiding direct sunlight. In addition, it is worth refusing to use heated towel rails and heating radiators.
• When ironing the fabric, start from the wrong side, setting the soleplate to a moderate temperature.

If the material of the product is wool flannel, the following conditions must be observed:

• washing with softeners at temperatures up to 40 ° C;
• rejection of friction and twisting;
• rinse with the addition of 1 tbsp. l. vinegar;
• drying in a well-straightened form;
• ironing using steam or water-soaked pad.

In conclusion, it remains to state that the consistently high popularity of flannel is justified by the mass of advantages of this material, many times exceeding the number of its disadvantages. Such fabric will always be in demand, which is explained by its relevance for the majority of potential consumers.

For a video review of the fabric, see the video below.