I been searching for information on hand-making cotton flannel and haven't had much luck.  So I'm wondering if it is even possible (or feasible) do to on a hand-loom with hand finishing.

The only infomation I've been able to find is out of older textile books describing industrial production of flannel.  One described using a 20s cotton yarn for warp and a 12s for the weft done either in plain weave or twill.  I have no idea what size a 20s cotton yarn would be.

I did take apart a piece of flannel and the warp looked like a soft cotton single about twice the size of the warp. 

For raising the nap, all I've found is information that teasle heads were common to use for wool flannel and the prior to that in Roman Britian they used hedgehog hides nailed to boards.

After raising the nap there is also a sheering process to even the nap out, but I haven't found any details on that either.

Is hand-making cotton flannel impossible or too difficult and time-consuming to bother with?  Has anyone here made a flannel cloth from their hand woven?

Thanks!

Comments

Mon, 03/12/2012 - 04:46

Debbie NC

I want to see someone catch a hedgehog for the hide. I just thought that was so funny. We often forget that people used all parts of animals, plants and what ever they could find to make what they wanted. We maybe rely on technology to much.

back to making fannel. I am no expert on anything as I am still a new weaver. I did find a book "Color and Texture in Weaving" by Margo Selby. On page 24 they talk about brushing the fibers for a fuzzy look. They suggested using a brisly hairbrush, or the course side of velcro. In this case the fuzz was left long, there is no mention of triming.

Debbie

Mon, 03/12/2012 - 06:30

Sara von Tresckow

Raising nap on cotton is pretty much an industrial process. To do it properly, the fabric needs to be stretched on a frame and the process is very time consuming.

Woolen fabrics or mohair fabrics can be bushed, but a fine cotton is not going to respond in a similar manner.

Tue, 03/13/2012 - 01:30

Jen Brown (not verified)


Thanks Debbie and Sara. 

Sara you confirmed my suspicions about making cotton flannel.