Durability of Cotton Flannel in Quilts
Flannel is a soft material that can be made of either wool, a blend of wool and cotton or of cotton alone. Cotton flannel has a napped, or textured, surface and resembles woolen flannel. The material is warm and soft and perfect for quilts and, because it has a tighter weave, it's more durable. Does this Spark an idea?
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Cotton Flannel can Shrink
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Cotton flannel is a durable choice for a quilt but it will shrink, so make sure you always account for this when purchasing your fabric. When deciding how much yardage to buy, experienced quilters add an extra 1/4 yard to the total yardage. That is, if your design calls for 15 yards, you should buy 15 1/4 yards.
Prevent Fraying
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Cotton flannel is soft and cozy but it can fray at the edges, and the seams can come apart due to shrinkage. Make seams at least 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch wide on your quilts and they'll hold up better than if you just use 1/4-inch seams.
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Replacing needles
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Cotton flannel is thicker than most other quilting fabrics and you might need only a thin batting when you make a quilt with this material. Keep in mind that because of the extra thickness, cotton flannel can dull the needle on your sewing machine, slowing you down and snagging your material. Have at least two extra needles handy for replacement when you feel your machine starting to slow down.
Warmth and Texture
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Make your quilt out of cotton flannel and it won't slide off your bed. Its texture is such that it stays put, keeping you warm all night long.
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References
- Photo Credit Blue and coral quilt block background image by Bluebird from Fotolia.com
