Flannel

This article is about the fabric. For other uses, see Flannel (disambiguation).

Flannel is a soft woven fabric, of various fineness. Flannel was originally made from carded wool or worsted yarn, but is now often made from either wool, cotton, or synthetic fibre. Flannel may be brushed to create extra softness or remain unbrushed. The brushing process is a mechanical process where fine metal brush rubs the fabric to create fine fibers from the loosely spun yarns. Typically, flannel has a nap either single-sided nap or double-sided nap. Double-napped flannel refers to a fabric that has been brushed on both sides. If the flannel is not napped, in this case the flannel gains its softness through the loosely spun yarn in its woven form. Flannel is commonly used to make clothing, bed sheets, and sleepwear.

Flannelette

Flannelette typically refers to a napped cotton the texture of flannel. The weft is generally coarser than the warp. The flannel-like appearance is created by creating a nap from the weft; scratching it and raising it up. Flannelette can either have long or short nap, and can be napped on one or two sides. It comes in many colours, both solid and patterned.

Cotton flannel

Cotton flannel or Canton flannel is a cotton fabric napped on one side or two sides.

Diaper flannel

Diaper flannel is a stout cotton fabric napped on both sides, and used for making cloth diapers.

Weave

Flannel, flannelette and cotton flannel can be woven in either a twill weave or plain weave. The weave is often hidden by napping on one or both sides. After weaving, it is napped once, then bleached, dyed, or otherwise treated, and then napped a second time.

History

The origin of the word is uncertain, but a Welsh origin has been suggested as fabric similar to flannel can be traced back to Wales, where it was well known as early as the 16th century. The French term flanelle was used in the late 17th century, and the German Flanell was used in the early 18th century.

Flannel has been made since the 17th century, gradually replacing the older Welsh plains, some of which were finished as 'cottons' or friezes, which was the local textile product. In the 19th century, flannel was made particularly in towns such as Newtown, Montgomeryshire, Hay on Wye, and Llanidloes. The expansion of its production is closely associated with the spread of carding mills, which prepared the wool for spinning, this being the first aspect of the production of woollen cloth to be mechanised (apart from fulling). The marketing of these Welsh woolen clothes was largely controlled by the Drapers Company of Shrewsbury.

Originally it was made of fine, short staple wool, but by the 20th century mixtures of silk and cotton had become common.

Other meanings

• In the plural, flannels refer to trousers or another article of clothing made of flannel, e.g.:
  • Cricket clothing, which was originally made of white flannel
  • Baseball road uniforms, historically known as "road grays", made of wool flannel
• In the United Kingdom and New Zealand, a flannel refers to a washcloth or facecloth.
• In Australian slang a flannelette shirt is known as a flanno or flanny.
• In colloquial British English, to flannel is not to answer a question or be evasive in any answer.
• Flannel is also used in the publishing industry to denote copy of low interest such as the flannel panel, which outlines who does what on a magazine.
• In Perú it is common to hear the word "Franela" for this material and it is associated with car care, the term "franelero" is used for the person who flatters others.