What is flannelette? Flannelette is a dense fabric, pleasant to the touch, with pile on both sides. It is believed that it is easier to fall asleep in clothes made of this material. Flannelette is a fabric in which it is really pleasant and comfortable to sleep. Before purchasing this fabric, you need to know about its features, pros and cons, proper care, production and composition. Flannelette fabric, what is it - details below.
History of origin
For three hundred years now, people have been using this material in clothing, footwear, bed linen, blankets, and things for newborns. Many people who lived in the USSR remember flannel blankets from their childhood: warm, comfortable, and light. Flannel is a fairly cheap material, and it is easy to find in any store.
Little is known about the history of the origin of flannel material. It came from Italy and was originally only brown. It was a woolen material, since the canvas was made from wool.
The name could come from two languages. In Latin, the name of the fabric means "brown color", which is related to the original coloring. And in French - "wool fabric", which is related to the version from which the flannel was made.
Came to Russia during the reign of Peter I. In the 18th century, it was very fashionable to use European materials for clothing. It was also made of wool. The light but warm material quickly became popular with the inhabitants of the cold country. They began to make winter hats and linings to warm the flannel. In addition, they began to use it for bedspreads, blankets, and shawls.
In the 19th century, it became fashionable to hem dresses and skirts with flannel fabric. Hunting suits, which came from England, were also made from it. At that time, cotton fabric was first used instead of wool. Now it has become a colored fabric. It has lost its warmth, but is lighter and easier to care for, and therefore cheaper.
Additional information! Nowadays, baize is also used to make bedspreads and blankets, and is used in the production of footwear and clothing. But now it is more like flannel fabric, looser and softer. Flannel is mainly used to make children's clothes, as it is more comfortable.
Flannel blanket: what it is made of and production technology
Initially, flannel was made only of wool. Of course, it was very expensive. To reduce the price, the fabric began to be made of cotton. This had a positive effect on it: it became cheaper, lighter and more durable. The only downside to replacing wool is that the fabric became less warm.
A quality bike can be determined by three criteria:
- It has a dense structure and a unique weave pattern.
- Pile on both sides, only this fabric will retain heat.
- Wool flannel does not stretch. If the fabric is elastic, it is a fake.
Important! Cheap flannel fabric may contain cotton, synthetics and viscose, even if it says that the material is exclusively wool. You need to carefully study the label.
Low-quality fabric will lose its useful properties, there will be problems with maintenance, and its service life will quickly expire.
Bayka, what kind of material is this? To understand this, you need to know the production technology. It can be twill or plain. Wool fabric is woven only in twill.
The production is not limited to working on the machine. The thing is that the material requires further transformations, at first it does not look very presentable and does not have many of its properties. But even in this form it is sold. It costs real pennies, but it also brings little benefit. The canvas is cleaned, painted in different colors and finally a pattern is printed on it. Only after this does the flannel get a double pile and a special weave.
Scope of application
The following is made from flannel fabric:
- blankets, throws, bedspreads, scarves;
- sports, winter, children's clothing;
- warm shirts;
- foot wraps for the military;
- dressing gowns and pajamas for home.
Classic woolen flannel is used for adult clothing, and flannel is used for children. It is well suited for newborns, and flannel is used to sew baby rompers, sheets, blankets for children, and warm clothes for the street. This fabric is considered indispensable in child care, it is cozy and pleasant. Adult clothing is mainly suitable only for home use. Outdoor clothing is lined with it to provide warmth.
What is flannel in shoes? How is the material used in shoe production? Shoes are also insulated with this fabric. It provides thermal insulation. Double pile makes the inside of the shoe soft and comfortable. Most often, the material is used in winter shoes, making them warmer and more comfortable.
Additional information! In warm winter shoes, a greenhouse effect can easily occur, which is bad for the skin of the feet. The canvas prevents this from happening.
Patchwork sewing has become popular lately. Flannel material is great for this. It is very convenient for sewing. Soft toys for children are made from it.
Care and operation
In order for things made of this material to last a long time and not lose their shape and color, they need proper care. It is not very difficult, especially if it is not wool flannel, but cotton. Care rules:
- Natural wool fabric cannot be washed at temperatures above 40°C. This will deform it.
- You can wash in the machine on any setting with spinning.
- It is strictly forbidden to iron a wet item. The pile will be damaged. The fabric must be completely dry before ironing.
As you can see, it is easy to care for. You just need to wash it on time and not exceed the temperature regime. The color of the material lasts a long time, it does not fade in the sun. There is nothing difficult in storage either. The material practically does not wrinkle, and it is easy to iron. You can fold it in a stack, and it is not difficult to get rid of creases later.
Advantages and disadvantages of flannel fabric
Having understood the care, production and composition of the fabric, you need to know all the pros and cons of this fabric. Until now, only the advantages of flannel have been described, but we need to touch on the disadvantages as well.
The material is so popular because it has the following consumer advantages:
- Natural composition. High-quality flannel contains only natural materials.
- Good thermal insulation. The fabric retains heat, does not let moisture through, and warms in any conditions. Therefore, it is used mainly in the production of winter shoes and warm blankets.
- Durability. The flannel does not lose its original appearance, does not deform when washed. It is wear-resistant, and therefore durable.
- Lightweight. Although the fabric is thick and warm, it is very light in weight, which makes it convenient and comfortable. Even when wet, they are much lighter than any other fabric.
- There are no restrictions on use. It can be used to sew bedding, shoes and clothes for newborns. Surface wiping cloth is also made from flannel, as it easily absorbs water.
- Hypoallergenic. That is why it is used as a material for children's clothes. For babies, they are not only comfortable, but also do not cause allergies. Also, the clothes will let air through, allowing the child's skin to breathe.
- Easy maintenance. The bike does not require any special maintenance, and it is easy to follow the small rules.
The disadvantages of flannel are based on the difference between wool and cotton fabric. Disadvantages of flannel fabric:
- Woolen fabric weighs much more than cotton.
- Cotton is not as warm as wool, and the thermal insulation is worse.
- The addition of synthetics and viscose worsens all the beneficial properties.
The bike itself has very few drawbacks. It is a really good material for a small price. It will be useful in everything, even after the service life, as it makes an excellent dusting cloth.
Important! For a newborn baby, this is simply an irreplaceable fabric that will suit everything - diapers and even toys. It does not require special care. The fabric is pleasant and comfortable.
Of course, things will not look as luxurious as, for example, velvet or silk, but considering all the advantages, it is not so important. Flannel is one of the most comfortable and popular types of fabric, and now it has become clear, flannel, what kind of material it is, and how it is used.
