Composition and description of flannel, fabric characteristics: what is made from this material and how to care for such things? Flannel fabric: composition and description of material Synthetic flannel

Many of us remember this warm, homely fabric from childhood - flannel. Many people know that flannel is our shirts, diapers, undershirts, etc. What kind of fabric is flannel? Where is it used? What are the features of this material? All information can be found in this article.

Flannel is woven from cotton and is a fabric with a light pile, and the pile can be on one side or on both sides. When making flannel, they use twill weaving technology, forming a scar that is small and almost invisible. To retain heat, a backcomb is done on the surface of the fabric. To reduce creasing, the fabric is treated with special agents at the manufacturing stage. The name of this fabric comes from England and is translated from Welsh as “woolen fabric”.

Features of the material

Its production began in this country four centuries ago, and then spread throughout the world, also to Russia. And not without reason, because flannel, like natural fabric, has many advantages:

Keeps warm for a long time;
Very hygroscopic;
Good air permeability;
Wear-resistant;
The color on it retains paint for a long time.

Flannel is used in sewing many types of textiles. For women - sleep shirts, dressing gowns, aprons, for men - pajamas, lounge pants and sweatshirts, and much more home clothes. And there is no better fabric for kids. Almost everything is made for them from it: from diapers to suits. Manufacturers of workwear also paid attention to flannel. Mittens and gloves, jackets and robes - all this is made from flannel. It’s difficult to list everything, but we meet her at every step in everyday life.

Everything we wear from flannel can be described in two words - coziness and comfort. You can also add to this that it does not cause allergic reactions or irritations. And this fabric is very easy to care for: it can be used both by machine and hand wash.

Kinds

What kind of fabric is flannel? Let's get acquainted with its main varieties:

Printed;
Plain painted;
Bleached.

And now about them in more detail.

What is printed flannel? This is fabric with a pattern. During production, the pattern is applied (stamped) onto the fabric, usually on one side. This allows the body not to come into contact with the dye, which is why it is used for making children's and home clothing.

Plain-dyed flannel is made from already dyed threads. The design on such fabric lasts for a very long time.

Bleaching the fabric is where the dyeing process begins. Considering that the cotton from which flannel is made does not initially have white- it is subsequently bleached. This allows you to get snow-white fabric. Any other color that is applied to bleached threads turns out even and rich.

So, in cold, windy Wales, a long time ago, local weavers came up with and made such a warm, soft and delicate fabric. It is known to us from childhood and accompanies us all our lives until old age.

Advantages and disadvantages

I would like to highlight some of the features of this wonderful fabric:

Thanks to the delicate light fleecy, a comfortable touch with the body is ensured;
The softness of flannel fabric does not decrease over time; moreover, it becomes softer after each wash;
The body in flannel clothes warms up very quickly, and the fabric retains heat for a long time. And this is so important in winter time both for children and adults;
With all this, flannel is a very durable material. The dense weave of the threads allows you to wear the products for a long time;
The fabric is resistant to abrasion, stretching and mechanical stress. It is these qualities that contribute to its durability;
The hygroscopicity of fabric plays an important role when choosing clothes. The ability of flannel to absorb moisture is one of the arguments in its favor;
Moreover, in clothes made of flannel, in addition to comfort, the body “breathes”;
Products made from this fabric are among the safest from the point of view of allergic complications;
To all this we can add that caring for flannel products is very simple and does not cause much trouble.

It is necessary to mention some small disadvantages:

Although the product will last a long time, pilling may form when worn;
Some types of flannel can wrinkle, but very easily restore their shape with an iron;
If you overdo it with the water temperature when washing, the fabric may decrease in size and shrink;
After washing, clothes do not dry as quickly as with synthetic fabrics.

What can you sew from flannel?

Every person in the family will feel comfortable and comfortable in clothes made from this fabric. Men will be pleased with jackets and trousers made of wool flannel. Those who play sports, especially croquet lovers, will also appreciate flannel sports suits. It is simply irreplaceable for sewing robes, pajamas and, of course, children's clothing. Everyone remembers how popular bright checkered shirts were in the 90s. Surprisingly, they are still in demand. The demand for them has not decreased at all. And even on the contrary, the color range has expanded: from restrained gray to bright red, blue, and even yellow.

And babies are exposed to this fabric from the first days of their lives. Bed sets for them, diapers, and underwear are made mainly from flannel.
For a long time (until 2007) in the Russian, and then in the Soviet, army, soldiers used flannel footcloths. And, traditionally, to this day, musicians wrap piano hammers with it, using its properties of good sound absorption and special softness.

How to wear?

Flannel is a material available to a wide range of buyers. But it requires compliance with certain conditions when putting together a wardrobe. Flannel trousers are usually worn with jackets that do not match in color. For example: trousers are gray, and a blue or brown jacket goes well with them. Pants can be worn without a jacket, but then you should wear a vest. There is no need to worry about formal shoes; they will obviously be superfluous here. It is suggested to use suede shoes in a matching color.

A dark flannel suit with a subtle pattern will look great with any shirt, but is best suited to in this case use plain color.
A cashmere or wool tie will perfectly complement this democratic set. Flannel shirts are appropriate in combination with any informal trousers. These can be jeans, breeches and all models with a loose fit. If necessary, you can add a sports jacket or cardigan.

How to care?

Flannel products do not require special care. They wash well at any temperature;
Bedding sets should first be turned inside out and fastened with zippers or buttons;
First, wash in cool water, then, as usual, in hot water. The temperature can be increased to 90°C;
It is recommended to use powder from the “soft” category for colored laundry;
If there is a need to remove a stain, you should use stain removers specifically designed for this fabric. Otherwise, the structure of the fabric can be destroyed;
A specific feature of flannel is its top fleecy layer. Therefore, when cleaning, the product should not be rubbed;
Wool flannel requires some attention when caring. It is washed at 30-40°C with special products intended for washing woolen products;
Twisting and rubbing are also not recommended;
When drying, avoid direct sunlight and devices with heating elements. Ironing should not be high temperature;
To ensure that the products retain their softness for a long time, glycerin should be added during washing, one tablespoon per 10 liters of water.

Of course, clothes made from flannel look very informal and democratic, but this should not be considered a disadvantage. This is probably distinctive feature this wonderful fabric. And everyone enjoys using this feature: both adults and children. Now no one will have any questions about what flannel is and what products are made from this fabric.

There are many varieties of soft, warm and cozy materials. One of the most popular types from this category is flannel fabric. Both clothes for adults and things for children are made from flannel. What is this material? What is its composition? What are the characteristics of flannel fabric? How to wear and what to combine with flannel items? What care do flannel products require?

Description, composition and types of flannel, difference from flannel

Today it is a fairly popular fabric - clothes made from flannel can be seen not only in everyday life, but also during fashion collection shows on world catwalks. What is this material and why has it gained such popularity?

Cotton flannel

Flannel is a cotton, pure or half-wool fabric. This material has a fluffy, uniform pile that can be present on one or both sides. In its production, the technique of linen or twill weave threads Modern fabric is usually made from cotton raw materials. It is based on carded yarn of medium thickness, and the weft is made from bulky hardware yarn. Sometimes cotton is combined with viscose. The proportion of viscose fibers in the fabric composition can reach 20%. Cotton is also often combined with synthetic fibers.

Classic wool flannel is characterized by colors ranging from deep dark to whitish-light shades. Fabrics with checkered and striped patterns and various patterns are also produced. There are several types of this material, which have different areas of application. A general description of each of them is presented in the table:

Swanskin

Varieties of flannel	Description	Application area
Harsh	Dense fabric that is not subject to bleaching.	Used for technical purposes, for example in the production of musical instruments (grand pianos, upright pianos).
Bleached	Fabric obtained after treatment with bleaching solutions.	This material is used to make baby diapers and clothes, bed linen, and foot wraps.
Printed	Matter with a pattern on its front surface.	Used for making baby diapers and clothing.
Belozemelnaya	The surface of the bleached white earth flannel has a fine pattern on it.	White earth flannel is used for sewing clothes for children, bedding, and sleepwear.
Plain painted	Material with a single color.	It is used for sewing casual and outerwear for women and men, bedding, and interior items.
Shirt	Canvas with a printed pattern in the form of stripes or checks.	Shirt flannel makes cozy and warm shirts for men and women.
Negligent	This is a very dense fabric with one-sided or double-sided brushing.	Used for making home clothes for adults and children (robes, pajamas).

Printed flannel

Many people confuse this fabric with flannelette. However, in reality, flannel and flannel are different materials. They are only similar in appearance (you can see what these fabrics look like in the photo below) and have a number of identical properties. What is a bike? In the textile industry, this term refers to a loose and soft fabric with double-sided pile. Initially, the bike was woven from wool fibers. Subsequently, cotton threads began to be used as raw materials for the manufacture of this material.

What is the difference between these matters? A flannel differs from a flannel in that it:

denser and heavier;
has a less loose structure;
more rigid;
less silky.

Characteristics of flannel fabric

The properties of flannel include:

softness – products made from this material are incredibly soft and cannot scratch even the most delicate baby skin, which is why diapers for newborns are made from it;
high density - depending on the composition, the density of flannel varies in the range of 170–257 g/sq.m. m;
breathability - thanks to the special weaving, the fabric ensures free air circulation, so it is comfortable even in hot weather;
hygroscopicity - matter is able to absorb and retain moisture in the fibers, therefore, when using products made from it, the risk of irritation on the skin is minimized;
wear resistance - with proper care, flannel products can last for more than one year;
the ability to retain heat generated by the human body in fibers;
hypoallergenic - this natural fabric does not cause allergies and is safe even for asthmatics and allergy sufferers, but this cannot be said about woolen and wool-blend fabrics;
ease;
ease of care;
affordable price.

Among the disadvantages of flannel are:

high pillability - this means that over time, pellets form on the surface of the material;
inability to dry quickly;
tendency to wrinkle (despite this, this fabric is easy to iron);
ability to shrink when washed in hot water.

What do they sew for children, men and women from flannel?

This material has a wide range of applications. For a child you can sew from it:

diapers;
pants and shirts;
light bedspreads;
insulated items (coats, jackets).

For women, flannel serves as a material for sewing:

clothes for the home (robes, pajamas);
underwear;
coat.

IN men's wardrobe flannel ones will take their rightful place:

shirts;
jackets;
trousers;
robes;
pajamas;
coat.

Flannel is used to make cozy and soft bedding, bedspreads, blankets, and sports uniforms (for example, for playing croquet). This fabric has been used to wrap piano hammers for centuries to absorb sounds.

How and with what to wear flannel items?

How to wear and what to combine with things from this democratic fabric? Following these rules will help you look appropriate in flannel wardrobe items:

Trousers gray wear with jackets of other shades (blue, olive, warm brown). You can wear them without a jacket, replacing it with a vest. A pair of brown suede shoes will perfectly complement this look.

Combine a dark-colored flannel suit with a faint pattern with plain (white, blue, pink) shirts. Products with checkered or striped pattern. This masculine look can be complemented with a wool, cashmere or knitted tie. In this case, it is recommended to choose shoes from smooth leather or dark suede.
Shirts can be worn with any casual trousers (such as jeans or chinos). Both a sports jacket and a cardigan will fit well into this ensemble. It is recommended to wear a plain T-shirt or T-shirt under the shirt.

How to care for flannel products for adults and children?

To extend the life of flannel products, they must not only be used carefully, but also washed, dried and ironed correctly.

Caring for flannel items involves following the following recommendations:

Before first use new item wash the wardrobe in cold water.
Wash by hand or in washing machine. What temperature the washing water should be depends on the origin of the matter. Cotton items can be washed even in hot water. It is advisable to add glycerin to it at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. substances per 10 liters of water. It is recommended to wash baby diapers at a temperature of 60–90 degrees. The maximum temperature for washing woolen items is 40 degrees.
If there are heavy stains, soak the laundry for 10–15 minutes in a solution made from warm water and grated laundry soap.

When washing by hand, do not rub. Intense exposure will lead to damage to the pile.
For colored laundry, use special detergents. Regular powders are suitable for washing flannel. However, it is better to use gel.
Do not use chlorine bleaches. To remove heavy stains, it is recommended to use gentle stain removers.
Rinse thoroughly. When machine washing, it is recommended to run an additional rinse cycle.
Dry flat and upright in a dark, well-ventilated area away from radiators and heaters.
Iron according to the origin of the fabric. Cotton linen is ironed in the “cotton” mode, and woolen linen is ironed in the “wool” mode.

In the cold season, in bad weather, it is natural for a person to want to surround himself with soft, cozy, and most importantly, warm fabrics. Flannel is ideal for these purposes. What kind of fabric? The question is perhaps unnecessary. But for those who don’t know, this is a fairly dense material with a pile that can be located on both sides or only on the wrong side.

Flannel has long been used as a fabric for warm underwear. Since the times of Peter the Great, it has been an indispensable attribute of the Russian (and Soviet) army - foot wraps were made from it.

Characteristic

Flannel can be cotton or wool, plain or serge weave. The threads of the fabric are woven so tightly that they have no gaps. Flannel is natural and environmentally friendly. It is vapor permeable, so they say that the skin “breathes” in it. When buying flannel fabric, it is better to look at its photo in advance. You can see the correct cut and sewing on them. In terms of its heat-saving properties, flannel is not inferior to wool, but it does not prick and does not cause irritation. The material absorbs moisture well, however, it takes a long time to dry.
There are the following types of flannel:

Printed.
Plain painted.
Bleached.

Now it has become clear what advantages flannel has, what kind of fabric it is and what it comes in. Now you can pay attention to the drawing. If it is applied on both sides, it means that pre-dyed threads were used, from which the flannel fabric was created. If the pattern is present only on the front side, then it was applied to the finished canvas. The cost of the former is higher, however, and the pattern will not fade after many washes.

Types of flannel

Printed flannel can be either cotton or wool. It is dense and tear-resistant. This type of flannel received its name due to the method of applying a pattern to the fabric. It is stuffed and printed using special equipment onto the finished canvas. Each color is applied separately to pre-bleached or dyed flannel on one side.
Printed flannel can be white-earthed when the pattern on the bleached surface occupies a small area. Typically, fabric dyed in this way is used to make diapers to reduce the risk of dye allergies in newborns. In addition to white earth flannel, there is covered and ground flannel. The area occupied by the pattern is increased in these types.

Quite often you can find plain-dyed flannel. What kind of fabric is it and how is the image applied to it? The pattern on plain-dyed flannel is created by threads different color. This method of painting is more durable than printing. Bleaching flannel is the initial stage of “painting” work. With the help of special technologies it is possible to achieve a uniform, even, light shade. Bleached flannel is the most environmentally friendly and cheapest, but somewhat faded.

Application of flannel

For a long time, before the advent of modern synthetic underwear, flannel fabric was used as a material from which underwear was made for men, women and children. However, even today many people prefer it. People who work outdoors (builders, lumberjacks), who are fond of winter sports (skiers, skaters), and winter fishing enthusiasts value flannel for its naturalness and high heat-saving properties.

In cold weather, especially in the off-season, when the heating is not yet turned on, flannel bedding becomes in demand. Even after sweating while sleeping, a person will not get cold or catch a cold after a while, since the underwear perfectly absorbs moisture and has an optimal coefficient of vapor permeability. In other words, the cold from the room will not reach the human body, and excess moisture in the form of steam will be removed outside, helping to create a cozy and healthy “microclimate” in bed.

For sewing home clothes (robes), natural flannel is used. Calico items are worn in the warm season, and flannel home clothes are a real salvation on cold days.

Flannel for children

Young mothers try to answer the question before the baby is born: flannel, what kind of fabric, what kind of things are made from it for the baby? This is an ideal material for children's clothes; it is soft, warm, hypoallergenic. All this makes it the best material for sewing children's clothes. Flannel rompers, overalls, vests and caps traditionally become a baby's first clothing. Such items can be worn as the first layer under a thicker suit or overalls, for example, for a walk. In any case, you can be sure that the baby is warm and cozy.
If you need warm fabric, it also becomes the best option. In addition to softness and environmental friendliness, it should be noted the high absorbing properties of flannel material, which is important when sewing diapers.

Caring for flannel fabric

Caring for this material is not burdensome. Interestingly, after washing it becomes even softer and more pleasant to the touch. Flannel products can be washed either automatically or manually using warm water, since hot water causes the fabric to shrink. First, the item must be soaked in cold water, after which the fabric will become soft.

You should not rub the product vigorously, as pellets quickly form on the material, which gives things a sloppy appearance. To get rid of stubborn dirt, it is better to use a stain remover.

In cold weather, a person always wants warmth and a feeling of comfort. Of all the types of fabrics, flannel has undoubted advantages. Since ancient times, such material has been used for sewing underwear, and during the Peter the Great and Soviet periods, soldiers' foot wraps were made from it. Today there are many varieties of flannel fabrics, so you need to know about the main features of using this material.

A little history

Flannel fabric first appeared in England in the 17th century. The first canvases had a dense structure with rep or, and fluffy fibers were present on the front side. The material was very expensive, and it was attributed healing properties. Very often it was painted red, and until the 20th century, the tradition of wearing flannel pantaloons of this color was preserved as a prophylactic against various diseases.

By the end of the 18th century, flannel began to be produced using new technology, which made it significantly cheaper. From that time on, plain weaving was used for manufacturing. With the entry into fashion of the English style, wool flannel gained popularity. Even today, wool suits made from this material are considered a sign of aristocracy and elegance.

Flannel was brought to Russia by Peter the Great. For a long time, soldiers used it to make foot wraps as an alternative to traditional socks. Until the end of the 19th century, flannel was made from sheep wool, the properties of which endowed the fabric with delicate fibers and a loose structure. In the 20th century, cotton flannel appeared, and at the end of the century they began to produce fabric with the addition of artificial and synthetic fibers.

Gallery: flannel fabric (25 photos)

Description of fabric

Flannel is made from thick threads joined together using a linen method. Despite the simplicity of the weaving, it is durable and there are no gaps between the threads. The weight of the fabric can be quite heavy and for some types of fabrics it can be up to 400 grams per 1 meter.

A distinctive feature of flannel is the presence soft pile, evenly distributed over the entire surface. The villi can be located only on the front surface or simultaneously on both sides.

Advantages and disadvantages

In English, “flannel” means to please. Many people love the fabric for its comfortable feeling when it comes into contact with the skin. The widespread use of the material is due to the special composition and structure of the fabric. The special properties of the fabric are:

extraordinary softness due to delicate bristles;
maintaining the properties of tenderness towards the skin even after numerous washes;
good strength;
keeps warm;
ability to pass air;
absence of allergic reactions;
good hygienic properties;
the ability to retain properties for a long time, enduring numerous washings and ironing;
low cost.

The durability and strength of the material is given by a special weaving of threads, which provides resistance to bending, stretching and abrasion.

The disadvantages of flannel are the formation of pills over time and wiping. A high hygroscopicity rate leads to a long drying time for the fabric after washing. Spilled liquid can be immediately cleaned up using a flannel cloth. rags, since when the material comes into contact with water, it is instantly absorbed. A significant disadvantage is the shrinkage of the fabric during washing. Products made from flannel wrinkle quite a lot, so they need periodic ironing.

Kinds

Today there is a wide range of flannel. According to GOST standards, 100% cotton material has a density of 175 mg/m2 with a permissible deviation of 5 mg. Manufacturers rarely use pure wool and most often additionally add synthetic fibers to the composition. In some fabrics, viscose may be added, the amount of which does not exceed 20%. The addition of synthetic components allows you to add a slight shine to the fabric.

Main types of flannel:

harsh - unbleached material with a dense structure, often used for pasting the hammers of a musical instrument;
bleached - soft fabric used for sewing bedding and clothing for babies;
white earth - white fabric with a pattern;
plain dyed - a plain fabric, widely used for technical needs;
careless - a material of high strength and wear resistance, with one-sided or double-sided fleece and a variety of patterns.

Color may vary. Classic fabric made of wool Available in the following color shades:

plain;
striped;
into a cage.

Today two technologies of drawing are used. In the first method, the fabric is woven from already dyed fibers, so the resulting pattern is clearly visible from the back and front sides. In the second method, the design is obtained by printing it onto the fabric, the design being visible from the front side. When applied to fabric, the pattern turns out bright, but during use it quickly loses its original appearance.

For most, acquaintance with flannel occurs in infancy, when the baby is wrapped in a diaper or put on shirts and caps made of this material. Flannel is more suitable for sewing informal clothes and today is widely used for sewing the following products:

clothes for everyday and home wear;
for suits, wool blend fabric with synthetic and viscose additives is used;
sportswear made from woolen flannel for certain types of games, such as croquet;
shirt flannel is widely used for sewing men's and women's shirts;
Robes, pajamas, and clothes for children are made from cotton material;
bed sheets;
clothes and diapers for newborns.

Cotton flannel is produced by manufacturers with a wide variety of designs and patterns, so it is often used for sewing children's items, pajamas and clothes for the home. The choice of this material for children's products is due to the fact that it does not cause irritation and creates pleasant sensations upon contact with skin. It is recommended to choose printed flannel as a fabric for diapers and baby underwear. On such material, paint is present only on one front side, and is absent from the inside, so there is no contact of the coloring pigment with the baby’s skin.

Men love to wear flannel shirts. Such clothes can be made from fabric in traditional shades such as gray, beige, cream, or they can have very bright colors. Checkered flannel shirts, popular in the 90s, do not go out of fashion today.

Washing and ironing

When washing a flannel product for the first time, you need to study its label, which indicates the composition and care features. Often viscose or synthetics are added to cotton, which require certain temperatures when washing and ironing. Cotton flannel tolerates various machine wash modes well, but to better preserve lint, it is recommended to pre-soak the items. To increase the softness of the product, it is recommended to soak in water with glycerin at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. products for 10 liters of water. For ironing, moderate iron temperatures should be selected.

It is recommended to wash woolen material in warm water and use only soft preparations. This fabric is washed at a temperature of 30−40 C. When rinsing, you can add a small amount of vinegar. It is forbidden dry such products on a battery or placed in a place exposed to direct sunlight. Ironing should only be done through damp gauze or thin fabric. Flannel products can be treated with a steamer.

Flannel bedding should be turned inside out immediately before washing. If products have zippers or buttons, it is recommended to fasten them. For the first wash, it is recommended to use cool water, and for subsequent washes, use a temperature of 60-90 C.

Products made from any type of flannel should not be exposed to chlorine-containing bleaches, as this leads to destruction of the fiber structure. When washing, you must not rub the surface of the material, otherwise the fleecy layer will rub off or roll off.

Manufacturers and cost

Flannel fabrics on Russian market textiles are presented in a huge assortment. The most popular are fabrics produced in the Ivanovo region and goods from China. The manufacturer offers customers all varieties of modern flannel - children's, bleached, smooth-wool and many others. The colors of the fabric are also very diverse - plain, checkered, with geometric shapes, flowers and all kinds of patterns.

width;
density.

It is these two parameters that determine the price of flannel fabric. The roll width can be different - 75, 90, 150 cm. The cheapest is bleached fabric, the cost of which starts from 30 rubles. The most expensive will be the purchase of negligent material, the price of which is around 100 rubles.

Despite the huge variety of textiles in modern stores, many still choose flannel products to wear, which is largely due to the special properties of the material, the ability to create a comfortable feeling when in contact with the skin and long service life while maintaining appearance.

Attention, TODAY only!

With the arrival of cold weather, there is a desire to surround yourself with warm, soft and cozy things. Flannel is endowed with all these properties. This fabric consists exclusively of cotton and has a slight fleece on one side of the fabric.

Characteristics and composition

Flannel fabric is a dense fabric made from thick cotton threads woven together in a plain linen manner. On the front side, a small backcomb is done using special machines.

The main difference between the fabric is the soft and delicate pile, evenly distributed. It can be on one or both sides of the matter.

Flannel first appeared in England in the 18th century. And only a century later they learned about it in Russia. At that time the fabric was very expensive. Only wealthy and noble people wore costumes from it. Initially, flannel was made exclusively in light shades, which gave the material special luxury and chic.

The composition of flannel fabric is presented in several options. The fabric can be wool, half-woolen, cotton. Its density is 175+250 g/m2, but deviations are possible. Wool fibers are rarely used in the manufacture of fabric; cotton is usually combined with a small amount of synthetics. This composition gives the material the following characteristics:

strength;
softness;
wear resistance;
thermal conductivity.

The width of the fabric produced by manufacturers is 80 cm; 90 cm; 150 cm; 220 cm. As a rule, 80-90 cm are used for diapers, the rest for both bedding and dress production.

The description of flannel fabric is not limited to these properties. Even despite the increased density, this is a “breathable” material that has high vapor permeability and has many advantages.

Varieties

Flannel is divided into the following types:

Printed. A pattern is applied to the surface of the canvas. It is used for sewing baby diapers and clothes for newborns. Typically, the design is applied to one side of the material so that the dyes do not come into contact with the child's skin in order to reduce the likelihood of allergic reactions.
Plain painted. The fabric has a single color on both sides.
Bleached. At the initial stage of preparation for painting, the fabric is bleached. In this form, it is also used in the clothing industry when sewing bed linen, baby diapers, foot wraps.

The fabric is bleached for the reason that cotton, the plant from which cotton is produced, comes in not only white colors, but also other shades. To obtain an even color when dyeing, it is pre-bleached.

There are such concepts as white-earth and soil flannel. The first is bleached fabric on which a pattern is embossed.

The second type of material is when a pattern is applied to some background (not white).

Application of material

Not only bed and underwear, diapers and bathrobes are made from flannel, but also shirts and suits. For such items of clothing, woolen and half-woolen and cotton fabrics are used.

Women's, men's and children's coats are made from plain-dyed wool flannel. Many men also have trousers made from this natural fabric in their wardrobe. Soft and delicate material will bring warmth and comfort to your home if you use flannel bedspreads and rugs in the interior.

Product care

Taking care of things is not at all difficult, but you should still know some rules and features:

You can even wash cotton flannel in hot water manually or automatically. Before washing, the items are turned inside out, buttons and zippers are fastened. The first time before use, items are washed in cool water. All subsequent times, its temperature should be 60-90 C. It is recommended to use soft powders or liquid ones for colored laundry.
Even white items cannot be washed in chlorine-containing detergents, as they destroy the structure of the fabric. To remove stubborn stains, it is necessary to use special stain removers.
At hand wash Flannel items cannot be rubbed. Such actions lead to abrasion of the top fleecy layer.
Products are dried naturally away from heating devices, avoiding direct sunlight.
You can iron at a slightly high temperature - “Cotton” or “Wool” mode, depending on the composition.
To keep items soft after washing, add a spoonful of glycerin to the water.

Wool flannel is more demanding to care for. It can be washed in water at 30-40°C. If the temperature is higher, when in contact with hot water, the fabric containing wool may shrink after washing, greatly decreasing in size.

Advantages and disadvantages

Considering the properties of the fabric, flannel has many advantages:

The material is very soft and pleasant in contact with the body. It has an amazing feature - with each wash it becomes softer and more tender.
The products warm well and retain body heat, while the fabric allows air to pass through and does not create a greenhouse effect.
The fabric is resistant to bending, abrasion and stretching, therefore it has a long service life.
Endowed with hygroscopicity - the ability to absorb moisture.
Considering that flannel contains cotton, it is hypoallergenic. However, wool and wool blends can cause allergic reactions.

You should know that this material also has its disadvantages:

during prolonged use, pellets may form on the surface of the canvas;
cotton flannel wrinkles a lot, but is easily smoothed out;
When washed in hot water, the fabric may shrink;
wet products take a long time to dry.

Flannel is a high-quality and soft natural fabric, endowed with many positive properties. It is characterized by a wide range of applications and ease of care, thanks to which flannel products are among the favorite things of many housewives.