Blankets made from yarn have enjoyed great and well-deserved popularity in our country for a very long time. The softness of the pile, wear resistance, unpretentiousness in use and natural composition have allowed flannelette fabric to become the main material for the production of blankets not only for the home, but also for use in hotels, hostels, dormitories, and military units. Traditionally, flannelette blankets are used in maternity hospitals, and when a baby is discharged, a blanket made from flannelette is most often purchased.
Let's try to figure out how flannelette fabric manages to remain popular for so long against the backdrop of an increasing range of fabrics in stores.
What is flannelette fabric
Surprisingly, not everyone knows what a bike is . Let's turn to history. It is not known for certain where it first appeared, but the first mention dates back to 1668. In Rus' it began to be used in the eighteenth century. It is generally accepted that the spread of the tale in our country is associated with the reforms of Peter the Great. The material immediately began to be widely used for sewing clothes, blankets, and hats.
At the dawn of its appearance, only wool was used to produce this fabric. This is where the name indirectly came from - the wool often had a brown color, which was denoted by the Latin word badius. Initially the whole bike was dark in color. There is also an opinion that the name could come from the Old French word baie, which meant woolen fabric.
The evolution of the composition of the material is interesting . From the production of woolen bikes they very soon switched to the production of half-woolen ones. This made it possible not only to reduce the cost of the material, but also to increase its strength. Nowadays, cotton is most often used to produce flannelette fabric. Therefore, it is a cotton blanket that each of us imagines when we mention this type of fabric. It is important to emphasize that the fabric does not contain any synthetic additives.
What does the material consist of?
The composition of flannelette fabric does not contain artificial impurities. Flannelette blankets are made from environmentally friendly raw cotton.
The production of accessories is automated. In addition to cotton, other fibers are added to the material of flannelette blankets. For example, to make the product dense and very warm, wool is used. When purchasing such a product, you need to remember that it can cause allergies.
Models with the addition of viscose are softer, more elastic, wear-resistant, but more expensive.
Advantages of the bike
The enormous popularity of the bike is explained by the extensive list of advantages of the fabric:
- Eco-friendly and hypoallergenic. Provided by using pure cotton as raw material.
- Hygroscopicity. The bike perfectly absorbs moisture and easily releases it when drying.
- Breathability. The material creates comfortable conditions for humans, does not interfere with the access of oxygen and provides optimal humidity.
- Comfort during use. The soft fleecy surface makes flannelette blankets very cozy.
- Easy care. The material washes well and does not require special washing conditions.
- Durability. The wear resistance of the bike is very high. Careful use can extend the life of the blanket for decades. Resistant dyes ensure high aesthetics of the product throughout the entire period of operation.
- Decorative properties. Color solutions and designs are constantly being improved. Many modern models can pretend to be a blanket or bedspread.
- Compactness. The density of the blanket is optimal; it allows you to use the blanket not only at home, but also on trips. The material provides good protection from the cold with relatively low weight.
- Versatility. The optimal combination of material characteristics allows the use of flannelette blankets not only by adults, but also by children, including babies. Low cost and good wear resistance make these blankets indispensable in military units.
- Acceptable prices. Flannelette blankets are quite affordable, and the quality does not suffer from the low cost. By purchasing a military model, you can save even more.
Production Features
the technological process of bike production in a simplified manner, since it contains many intermediate operations.
In the textile industry, there is an unchanging basis for the technological process of producing any fabric. It includes the following steps:
- primary processing of raw materials;
- spinning;
- weaving;
- finishing.
Let's look at each stage separately.
Primary processing of raw materials
To produce cotton baize, raw cotton is used as a raw material. It consists of cotton fibers mixed with seeds and foreign inclusions. The task is to clean the cotton from all unnecessary impurities. The ginning work is usually carried out by cotton gins. Raw cotton enters fiber separation machines. The spinning fiber is cleaned not only of seeds and debris, but also of fluff, which can reduce the quality of future yarn.
Primary processing of wool used for the production of woolen bikes is carried out in wool washing factories. Such enterprises are usually located near wool harvesting sites. Fresh wool is loosened and cleaned in special machines. This is followed by washing in an alkaline solution. After washing, small plant fragments may remain in the wool. To remove them, use a weak solution of sulfuric acid. It acts only on plant impurities and does not damage wool fibers.
Spinning process
Spinning includes a series of technological processes, as a result of which the fibers of prepared raw materials are processed into yarn having a certain thickness and having a given strength. During the spinning process, thin threads are produced, consisting of short fibers, which are connected to each other using a spinning machine by twisting.
Weaving from threads
, fabric is produced from yarn using The machine interweaves two mutually perpendicular thread systems. When leaving the machine, the fabric has the width of the future blanket. The length is determined by the technological process. Cutting the blankets into individual lengths will be done in subsequent stages.
Fabric is already a textile product, but the material still retains an unattractive gray color.
Product finishing
Finishing can be considered the final set of processes that transform bolts of fabric into finished blankets. The main finishing operations are:
- Bleaching. It would be more correct to use the professional term “whitening”. The fabric is treated with sodium hypochlorite. Hydrogen peroxide may sometimes be used. The material acquires a stable whiteness.
- Dyeing. The dye is applied to the entire fabric, resulting in a continuous color of the material.
- Printing the picture. This process is sometimes called printing.
- Napping. In the process of processing a flannel on a napping machine, individual fibers are extracted onto the surface of the fabric, forming a fleece. The pile not only gives the product softness, but also enhances the heat-shielding properties and increases wear resistance.
It’s worth telling more about coloring. Dyeing and printing can be used together or separately. For flannelette fabric, two options are used:
- Direct printing. It is also called an invoice. The design is applied to white or pre-dyed fabric.
- Etched print. A chemical is applied to the dyed fabric to break down the dye. The result is a white design on a colored background.
After completing the entire technological cycle, rolls of finished yarn must be cut to length. The cut area is processed with an overlocker.
Children's blanket models
We have already mentioned the wide range of applications of flannelette blankets. Children's models deserve special attention. They can be divided into three groups:
- For discharge. For a newborn, a blanket will be indispensable even in the warm season. Doctors confirm this. Numerous surveys show that the optimal dimensions are 110 cm wide and 140 cm long. There are blankets for discharge and in large sizes; you can fold them into a beautiful envelope.
- In the stroller. A flannelette blanket is very convenient for walking; it provides proper comfort, retains heat well and does not cause inconvenience to the baby due to its light weight.
- To the crib. The child spends the longest time in contact with the blanket at home in the crib. The eco-friendliness of a blanket plays a decisive role when choosing a blanket for your home. Today there are many color options on sale, you can always choose the right one that your baby will certainly like.
Pros and cons of a flannelette blanket
Advantages
Firstly, wear resistance.
An important aspect when choosing textiles for your home. It’s unlikely that anyone would want to spend money every two or three months to buy a sleeping blanket or blanket again.
Secondly, an affordable price offer. A cute baby blanket made from a biker can be bought from RUB 500*, depending on the size and manufacturer. Of course, there are also expensive options for 10 thousand rubles or more, made from the wool of rare breeds of sheep. The choice depends on the capabilities of the buyer.
Thirdly, versatility in application. It is easy to update the interior of your home with textiles, in particular with flannel blankets. The variations are numerous - from using it for its intended purpose, that is, as a blanket, to wrapping newborns and placing it in a stroller when walking to keep warm.
About the cons
Any coin has two sides, so let's discuss the disadvantages of flannelette blankets. The main disadvantage is the unsightly appearance and loss of softness in case of improper care. Therefore, we remind you once again, carefully study the label before purchasing.
*prices are valid for April 2021
Rules for care and washing of products
Caring for the bike is simple. You can use any washing machine. The “cotton” mode will be optimal for this material. If the blanket is not very dirty, it can be washed on a gentle cycle. The recommendations usually indicate a washing temperature of 40 degrees, but experience shows that the fabric tolerates higher temperatures well.
Washing a flannelette baby blanket costs the same as any other. You can use gel or washing powder. You can use a special detergent for washing children's clothes.
How does a flannelette blanket differ from a cashmere blanket?
In terms of purpose, flannelette bedspreads are similar to cashmere ones. How to distinguish these two materials in practice:
- Firstly, cashmere is warmer than flannel.
- Secondly, cashmere is an expensive material. A flannel blanket and a cashmere blanket are in different price ranges.
- Cashmere fabric is more difficult to care for, but it also looks much more presentable.
It’s useful to know, read: - Where and how can you wash a sheep’s wool blanket at home?
The best manufacturers
To ensure that the blanket is of high quality and lasts a long time, you should give preference to well-known manufacturers that have proven themselves in the market. Among them:
- Ermolino. Leader in variety of assortment. A recognizable brand. There are a large number of designs and colors on sale that will certainly interest the child.
- Ivanovo. The manufacturer needs no introduction. The standard of quality in the domestic market.
- OTK. Young textile company. It combines natural materials, traditional quality and a wide selection of fashionable colors in its products.
These manufacturers receive the most positive feedback from customers.
Having learned more about flannelette blankets, we can say that they ideally combine comfort and lightness, reasonable price and durability, versatility and high heat-saving properties. And the availability of modern colors on sale will allow those who value classic quality, but strive for decorative variety, to make a successful purchase.
Dimensions
Based on their size, bike products are divided into three groups:
- Children's. Size 100x90 cm. Modern blankets for newborns are produced with colored prints, but they are all soft pastel colors so as not to attract the baby’s attention while rocking. For older children, you can purchase a model with bright patterns. It is advisable that the blanket harmonizes well with the child's bedding.
- One and a half sleepers. Size 150x200 cm. Blankets of this size can be used by teenagers or adults. The colors include patterns or checkered patterns. May be tricolor.
- Double. Size 200x200 cm. Purchased for double beds, often in the form of a bedspread. A modern 2-bed product looks more like a colored blanket than a blanket. The colors are dominated by patterns or checks.
Previously, industry complied with uniform GOST standards during production, but now manufacturers are free to independently determine what their products will be. Domestic factories have various lines, most of them imported, which differ in the metric system. Thus, the buyer has a choice of blankets to suit his size.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with the product for removing polyurethane foam from windows.
If you buy a blanket that is exactly the size of your child, there is a chance that it will roll and slide down during sleep, but sleep can become uncomfortable under a blanket that is too large. It is better to take measurements of the crib or stroller before purchasing and ask the store salesperson to select the optimal blanket size. Flange products are inexpensive, so it is more convenient to buy different options for walking in a stroller and using them while sleeping at home.
Customer Reviews
I was looking for a classic flannelette blanket for my daughter, like the one from childhood, the most ordinary one, with a check pattern. I saw something similar called Ermoshka. The composition is natural, the color is non-toxic. It is soft to the touch, any dirt is easily washed off, after several washes the shape is not damaged at all. I give it a solid five!
Natalya, Elektrostal
I saw blankets like this in a store, so I went to look at them out of curiosity. I'm not sure if they are the same as they were before. I can compare, I have one new one left, still Soviet. It seems to me that the previous ones are softer and fluffier.
Olga Viktorovna, Nizhny Novgorod
Which fluffiness is best is always a matter of taste. What is important to me is that I have tested the reliability of the modern blanket for three years; it, of course, became a little less bright after washing, but it did not acquire any physical flaws! It’s hardly worth looking for a Soviet product with a whole paper label on Avito. It’s easier to buy a new, modern one in any store.
Maria, Saratov
Originally posted 2018-01-28 09:24:51.
