Flannel is essentially a woolen fabric.  It’s not certain where the name ‘flannel’ came from.  Some say it is from the old French ‘flaine’ – a pillow case or mattress. 

Another possible source is the Welsh word for a woollen fabric – gwlanen.  Flannel is known to have been made in Wales as early as the 1500’s.

What is flannel?

Flannel is a rather misused term as it can refer to other fabrics which aren’t ‘true’ flannel.  The original flannel was a pure wool cloth, in varying weights and thicknesses.  Nowadays, the term often refers to flannelette. 

Flannelette has a high proportion of cotton or synthetic fiber along with the wool.  The wool gives warmth and the cotton gives the fabric an added softness.  However, in some countries, (for example the UK) it’s now illegal to trade flannelette as flannel.

Cotton flannel is another variation.  This is a heavy cotton fabric which has been twilled.  This means that the threads form parallel, raised lines. The fabric is then given a long, plush nap.

What’s a nap?

A nap is the soft, downy surface given to one side – or both sides - of a fabric when the fibers are raised and brushed.  (Velvet is a good example of a fabric that has been napped on one side).

For this reason, you may also see ‘brushed cotton’ as a name for flannelette.

How is flannel made?

Both flannel and flannelette can be woven in a twill, or plain weave.  You don’t usually see this as the nap hides it.  After the fabric has been woven, it’s napped and then bleached or dyed.  It then has a second napping to fluff the fibers up again after they’ve been processed.

How can I tell if it’s good quality?

Some flannel sheets are labelled with a thread count.  The lower end have a thread count of 80-120 and will feel rougher than the very soft high end, which range from 300-400.
 

If there’s no labelling, you can just feel the sheets for softness or hold them up to the light.  If the thread count is high, the fabric will be dense and will let very little light through.
 

Some manufacturers give a measure of flannel per square yard in ounces.  A good, high-quality flannel sheet will be 4 ounces to the square yard and over.  This is written 4oz. / sq. yd (or 113g / 0.9 sq. m).

What’s so great about flannel sheets?

Nothing is as cozy as flannel sheets on a cold winters’ night.  Cotton sheets can make you gasp when you climb into bed (unless you’ve had the electric blanket switched on!) but flannel just envelops you in warmth!

Home - Baby - Toddler - Kids - Teen - Bed Sheets - Flannel Sheets 

 Waterbed Sheets - Luxury Bedding - Comforters - Pillows - Blankets - Electric Blankets - Articles
 Contact Us - Link to Us - Links - Site Map