Flannel

What is flannel?

Flannel describes an aspect of fabric, it's not a fiber per se. It's the felted, fluffy appearance that makes it a flannel. Originally, it was a natural textile of animal origin, made from sheep's wool. Today, however, there are a multitude of different types of flannel: cotton flannels, wool-cashmere blends, wool-cotton blends and so on. Whatever the case, flannel is made from natural fibers, both animal and vegetable. Flannel is renowned for being hard-wearing, very soft and warm, making it ideal for winter wear. It's breathable, fine, light and, above all, wrinkle-free!
It's mainly used to make suits, shirts, baby clothes, bed linens etc.

Where does flannel come from?

Flannel originally came from Wales in the 18th century, where it was used to make kilts.
Today, factories exist all over the world: in Turkey, in France...

What are the processing stages for flannel?

Depending on the fiber it's made from, flannel results from different processes.
We invite you to see the manufacturing process for wool and cotton in the articles about them.
The most important stage in the flannel manufacturing process is scraping. This stage takes place once weaving has been completed. The fabric undergoes a mechanical treatment that gives it a more textured feel. The fabric is whipped, i.e. scratched on the surface by thousands of tiny piquots, then beaten and pressed so that the threads felt slightly and made the fabric softer.

Is flannel compatible with ethical and responsible fashion?

Yes flannel is a natural material. However, it can only be considered a material compatible with ethical and responsible fashion under certain conditions.
In the case of cotton flannel, it can be so only if the cotton used to make it is organic. Conventional cotton is a plant that requires a lot of pesticides and other insecticides to grow. It also needs a lot of water.
When considering wool flannel only, it's best to choose wools that are certified by a label such as RWS (Responsible Wool Standard), for example. This ensures that the animals used have not been mistreated, and that the land used for breeding has not been degraded either.
Another alternative is to buy your flannel garments from second hand or from our selection Eco x ception which would reduce the environmental footprint.

How to care for flannel

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Despite its great durability, flannel requires a few precautions when caring for it to retain its characteristic softness for as long as possible.
First of all, you need to read the label carefully to determine whether the flannel is 100% wool or blended.
Wool flannel cannot be machine-washed. It's best to leave it to a dry cleaner.
Cotton flannel can be machine-washed, but only on the delicate program, at a temperature not exceeding 40°. Tumble-drying should be avoided, as it may cause your clothes to shrink. Instead, air-dry your flannel garments.