What is flannel fabric

What is flannel fabric?

Essentially, "flannel" simply means any cotton, wool or synthetic fabric that meets the following basic criteria:

Softness: The fabric must be very soft to be considered flannel.

Texture: Flannel is available in brushed or unbrushed textures, both equally iconic.

Materials: While many materials can be used to make flannel, not all are suitable for this fabric. For example, silk is too fine to be made into flannel, which should be both soft and insulating.

flannel in history

The word "flannel" is said to have originated in Wales, but we know that the word was commonly used in France as early as the 17th century as "flannel". While flannel was regularly popular among French and other European peoples throughout the Age of Enlightenment, interest elsewhere has waned and the use of Welsh flannel has only increased.