Flannel

Flannel is a woolen fabric of various degrees of weight and fineness, made usually from loosely spun yarn. Flannelette is a light-to-medium weight woven cloth that is commonly used to make clothing and bedsheets. It is usually made from either wool and cotton, or wool and synthetic fibre. more...

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The term "flannel" is also often used to refer directly to the clothing created from flannelette. Today, many so-called flannels are made with a large mixture of cotton or synthetic fibres. These are more correctly called flannelettes. In fact, in some countries (e.g. U.K), it is illegal to trade flannelettes under the name 'flannel'.

Flannel and flannelette can be woven in either a tight twill weave or a plain weave, although this is often obscured by napping 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 in the 16th century, flannel was a well-known production of Wales, and a Welsh origin has been suggested. The French form fianelle was used late in the 17th century, and the Ger. Flanell early in the 18th century. Baize, a kind of coarse flannel with a long nap, is said to have been first introduced to England about the middle of the 16th century by refugees from France and the Netherlands.

In North America., flannelette, commonly referred to as flannel, was commonly thought to be the fabric of woodsmen, lumberjacks, and farmers. Today it is commonly used for children's winter pajamas as well as pajama pants for adults.

Pop Culture

In the U.S, due to the fact that many people in the Pacific Northwest of the United States (especially in Seattle, Washington) and Vancouver, British Columbia have had a tendency to wear it, flannelette there has become associated with grunge and music. This idea was even further popularized by the fact that many rock, metal and, most notably, grunge musicians, from the early 1990s often wore clothing made from it. In addition to grunge music, flannel also became associated with West Coast Gangsta rap for much of the 1990s. Flannel has been thought by some to be a fashion statement (or in some cases an anti-fashion statement), and has been more broadly associated with slackers.

Al Borland, from the TV series Home Improvement, is probably the most recognized flannel flourisher.

Other uses

In the United Kingdom and New Zealand, "a flannel" refers to a facecloth or washcloth.; Flannel is a popular dessert in the Philippines that resembles the Mexican custard-like leche flan. However, it has grated lime.; In colloquial British English, flannel is a word used to not to answer a question. It 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.; Red Flannel Hash is a breakfast hash originally from New England that involves beets. Here is the legend:;

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