Flannel facts for kids

Flannel is a super soft fabric. It's made by weaving threads together. People use flannel for comfy clothes, warm bed sheets, and cozy pajamas. It feels soft because the threads are spun loosely. Long ago, flannel was first made from wool.

What is Flannelette?

Flannelette is a fabric that looks and feels like flannel. But it's usually made from cotton, not wool. It's also lighter than real flannel.

Flannelette gets its soft, fuzzy feel from something called a "nap." This nap is made by scratching the fabric's surface. This raises tiny fibers, making it soft. The threads that go across the fabric (called the weft) are often thicker. Flannelette can be fuzzy on one side or both. You can find it in many colors and cool patterns.

How Flannel is Made

Flannel and flannelette can be made using two main weaving styles. These are called twill weave or plain weave. The way the fabric is woven is often hidden. This is because of the soft, fuzzy surface called the "nap."

After the fabric is woven, it gets its first "nap." This means it's brushed to make it fuzzy. Then, it might be bleached, dyed, or treated in other ways. Finally, it gets a second "nap" to make it even softer.

Images for kids

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  Detail of a shirt in blue wool flannel

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  Flannel shirts are often plaid.

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  Red Flannel Skirt, designed by Sybil Connolly in 1957

See also

In Spanish: Franela para niños