What is your favorite fabric to sew with during cold months? One of mine is for sure Flannel! They make the best pajama pants for my kids. Here are my 14 Tips For Sewing With Flannel fabric to make your sewing experience a success!
Want to make something soft and warm for your kids to wear this winter? Are you a bit scared of sewing with this soft and fuzzy material called Flannel? Don’t be! Here are tips and recommendations that will make sewing flannel a breeze!
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14 Tips For Sewing With Flannel
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1) What Is Flannel?
Typically Flannel is made from cotton fibers which are woven. Other types of Flannel are made from wool or synthetic fibers. Flannel does not typically have a nap, which makes it different from most other woolen fabrics. A nap is the raised, fuzzy surface on the fabric. A nap happens when the Flannel fabric (made from wool) is woven, which means, the surface is not smooth. This rough surface is sheared away to create a smooth and soft surface. Flannel is made of loosely woven fibers which gives it softness more so than a nap. Flannel is known for its softness and optimal for creating warm clothing or blankets.
You can find Flannel that is brushed for extra softness. Brushing is the mechanical process where a fine metal brush rubs the fabric to raise the fine fibers from the loosely spun yarns.
2) Different Quality Of Flannel
As with other materials, Flannel comes in different levels of quality. High priced Flannel is typically of the best quality and washes/wears very well. Lower priced Flannel tends to pill more in the wash and while wearing. It also lacks the tightness of the woven fibers which makes it not last nearly as long as higher priced Flannel which mostly is double sided. You can feel and see the difference when you compare both qualities up close.
Another aspect of the difference of quality is the shrinkage of the material. It can shrink as much as 1-4″. Prewashing is always the best tip!
3) Where To Buy The Best Flannel
- at quilt shops (local shops have the advantage of the test & feel!)
- online at fabric stores that sells designer brands such as Michael Miller, Riley Blake to name a few. I absolutely love the quality I receive from my go-to etsy shop at Cali Quilt Co. (formerly Stitch Stash Diva)!
4) What Can Be Made From Flannel?
- Clothing such as scarves, baby layettes, shirts, pajama pants, applique’s , lining in jackets, bathrobes or pants!
- Blankets! Just think of cuddly baby receiving blankets or as backing of fleece blankets. Rag quilts! Flannel for babies is amazing!
- Bedding such as for cribs or entire bed sets. It’s incredible snuggly for winter!
- Baby bibs, burpies etc.
- Dog beds, blankets.
- Stuffed animals and other plushies
5) What Patterns Are Great For Flannel?
You can use pretty much any pattern that calls for woven cotton. Try to avoid patterns that require you to shirr the fabric (sewing with elastic thread in the lower compartment) as Flannel is most likely too thick in order to gather up enough.
Here are some pattern suggestions for the use of Flannel:
- GYCT Designs’ Jean And Jamie Jammies pattern
- OUSM Designs’ Ruffled PJ pattern for girls
- Snuggle My Baby Pattern’s Chris and Christy’s All Season P.J. Bottoms and the infant version
Click page 2 below to continue reading more tips!
Denise
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Sarah - Craft Invaders says
November 20, 2015 at 11:40 amReally helpful tips – will definitely come in handy, thanks 🙂
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant says
November 21, 2015 at 6:39 amGreat tips. I really need to learn to use a sewing machine!! Thanks for sharing this at #SaucySaturdays
Pam @Threading My Way says
February 26, 2016 at 9:17 pmHere in Australia we call this flannelette. There are definitely differences in quality. Some great tips. Thanks for adding all your posts to ‘Threading My Way’ this week.
Sue Burton says
August 9, 2016 at 10:19 amDo you need to use a half inch seam allowance for flannel?
I’m using woollie flannel by Maywood Studio.
Denise says
August 9, 2016 at 6:00 pmI always use a standard 3/8″ seam allowance but if you use a pattern, it is usually instructed what SA to use. Thank you for checking out this post! I hope it’s useful.
Rose Bate says
August 25, 2016 at 9:31 amHi, never sewn with flannel before . If I make top of a baby quilt with flannel can I use cotton as the backing or do I need to use flannel again?
Denise says
August 25, 2016 at 8:07 pmThanks for visiting! You will only want to prewash and dry your fabrics before sewing them. This will prevent any odd shrinkage you otherwise might get.
Crista Dix says
February 14, 2017 at 5:03 pmI am making baby blankets out of flannel, about 40″ X 40″. Both sides are flannel. I can start out with the same size but invariably one side stretches or pulls out of place. I’ve tried pinning but it really doesn’t stay true. I use the serger for sewing the edges together. Any suggestions?
Denise says
February 15, 2017 at 8:28 pmThat mostly happens when the flannel is not from the same manufacturer. In this case I suggest you secure several areas with embroidery threaded double knots. I usually stitch one in place every 3″. This will help keep both layers in place. Hope this helps.