Flannel Vs Felt: The Ultimate Comparison

Flannel and felt are two distinct fabrics cherished for their unique qualities and versatile applications. Flannel’s softness and warmth make it a popular choice for cozy clothing and bedding, while felt’s non-woven structure allows for easy cutting and shaping, making it a favorite in the crafting world.

Each fabric possesses its own set of attributes, from flannel’s fuzzy surface to felt’s durability and insulating properties.

Understanding the differences between these fabrics empowers individuals to make informed choices based on their specific needs, whether seeking comfort in clothing or unleashing creativity in various crafting projects.

20 Key Differences Between Flannel and Felt

Fabric Composition

• Flannel: Flannel is a soft and cozy fabric known for its warmth and comfort. It can be made from different materials, including cotton, wool, or a blend of both. Cotton flannel is popular for its breathability and smooth texture, while wool flannel offers superior insulation, making it ideal for cold weather garments and bedding.
• Felt: Felt, on the other hand, is not woven but instead created through a process of matting and pressing fibers together. It is typically made from wool, but can also be crafted using synthetic fibers such as polyester, rayon, or acrylic. This non-woven nature gives felt its characteristic density and smooth surface.

Woven/Non-woven

• Flannel: Flannel is a woven fabric, meaning the fibers are intersected and woven together on a loom to create the textile. The weaving process provides flannel with its soft, brushed surface, offering a slightly napped feel that distinguishes it from other fabrics.
• Felt: Felt, as a non-woven fabric, is produced differently. Instead of being woven, the fibers are matted together and then pressed under heat and moisture to form a dense, cohesive fabric. The absence of weaving gives felt its unique properties, making it suitable for a range of applications.

Surface Texture

• Flannel: The most distinctive feature of flannel is its fuzzy or brushed surface. The brushing process raises tiny fibers on the fabric’s surface, resulting in a soft and cozy texture. This brushed finish not only enhances its tactile appeal but also contributes to its insulating properties.
• Felt: Felt, in contrast, lacks the fuzzy surface associated with flannel. Its texture is smooth and dense due to the non-woven production method. The absence of brushing or napping makes felt more suitable for certain craft and industrial applications.

Common Uses

• Flannel: Flannel’s softness and warmth make it an excellent choice for various items, such as pajamas, shirts, cozy sheets, and blankets. Its comfortable feel against the skin has made flannel a popular choice for loungewear and bedding, particularly in colder climates.
• Felt: Felt finds its primary application in crafts and industrial uses. It is commonly used for making hats, decorative items, mats, and protective backing for furniture. The dense and sturdy nature of felt makes it ideal for projects where durability and stability are crucial.

Fabric Characteristics

• Flannel: Flannel fabric boasts several favorable characteristics. Its breathability and moisture-wicking properties (in the case of cotton flannel) help regulate body temperature, making it suitable for sleepwear. Additionally, flannel’s ability to trap air within its brushed fibers contributes to its insulation, keeping the wearer warm in chilly conditions.
• Felt: Felt is known for its remarkable durability and strength. The tightly matted fibers create a robust fabric that resists wear and tear, making it ideal for applications where longevity is essential. Furthermore, felt’s insulating properties and flame resistance have led to its use in industrial settings, such as gaskets, seals, and protective gear.

Production Method

• Flannel: Flannel is produced through a weaving process. The fibers, whether cotton or wool, are spun and then woven together on a loom to create the fabric. After weaving, flannel goes through a brushing process where one or both sides of the fabric are lightly abraded to raise tiny fibers. This creates the characteristic fuzzy surface that sets flannel apart.
• Felt: Felt is not woven but rather made through a process called felting. It involves matting and compressing fibers together. The fibers, usually wool or synthetic materials like polyester, are agitated with heat, moisture, and pressure, causing them to interlock and form a cohesive fabric without the need for weaving.

Fuzzy Surface

• Flannel: Flannel’s appeal lies in its fuzzy or slightly napped surface. This fuzzy texture is a result of the brushing process after weaving, where the raised fibers create a soft and comforting feel. The brushed surface is not only pleasant to touch but also contributes to flannel’s insulating properties.
• Felt: Unlike flannel, felt lacks a fuzzy surface. Due to its non-woven production method, the fibers in felt are pressed together tightly, resulting in a smooth and dense texture. While it may not offer the same cozy feel as flannel, this smooth surface is advantageous for various crafting applications.

Cutting and Shaping

• Flannel: Cutting and shaping flannel can be somewhat more challenging than felt due to its woven nature and fuzzy surface. The fuzzy fibers may fray when cut, requiring careful handling. However, with proper techniques and tools, flannel can be cut and sewn to create various garments and bedding items.
• Felt: Felt is relatively easy to cut and shape, making it a popular choice for crafting projects. Its dense structure prevents fraying, allowing for clean and precise cuts. Whether using scissors, die-cutting machines, or laser cutters, felt retains its shape well and is conducive to intricate designs.

Durability

• Flannel: Flannel is generally durable, particularly when made from high-quality materials. The woven structure adds strength to the fabric, and the brushing process further enhances its sturdiness. However, continuous washing and wear can lead to pilling and some loss of softness over time.
• Felt: Felt is renowned for its exceptional durability. The felting process binds the fibers tightly, creating a robust and resilient fabric that can withstand significant use and abrasion. Felt items like hats, mats, and protective gear can maintain their integrity even with frequent use.

Types of Fiber

• Flannel: Flannel can be made from various types of fibers, with cotton and wool being the most common. Cotton flannel is lightweight, breathable, and soft, while wool flannel offers excellent warmth and insulation. Additionally, flannel blends that combine cotton and wool provide a balance of properties from both materials.
• Felt: Wool is the traditional and most common fiber used to make felt. Wool felt is highly regarded for its natural properties, including insulation, water resistance, and flame retardancy. However, synthetic fibers like polyester, rayon, and acrylic are also used to produce felt with specific properties suited to different applications.

Breathability

• Flannel: Flannel’s breathability depends on the type of fiber used. Cotton flannel tends to be more breathable compared to wool flannel. It allows air circulation, making it suitable for comfortable sleepwear and clothing in various climates. However, it may not be as breathable as some lighter-weight fabrics.
• Felt: Felt, in general, is not as breathable as flannel. Its dense, non-woven structure hinders air circulation, making it less suitable for clothing items that require breathability. However, this lack of breathability can be an advantage in certain applications, such as for protective or insulating purposes.

Cleaning

• Flannel: Flannel is usually machine washable, particularly if made from cotton or a cotton blend. However, some wool flannels may require more delicate care and handwashing to prevent shrinking or damage. Always check the care instructions on the garment’s label.
• Felt: Cleaning felt can be more challenging compared to flannel. Due to its dense structure and moisture-absorbent nature, felt is generally not machine washable. Instead, spot cleaning or dry cleaning is recommended to maintain its shape and integrity.

Common Products

• Flannel: Flannel’s softness and warmth make it a popular choice for various products, including pajamas, sleep shirts, robes, bed sheets, pillowcases, and baby blankets. It is also used in some casual shirts and outerwear for its comfortable feel.
• Felt: Felt is commonly used in crafting projects and for various industrial and protective applications. It is found in items such as hats, bags, placemats, coasters, table runners, gaskets, seals, and insulation materials.

Prices

• Flannel: The price of flannel products can vary depending on factors such as the quality of the material, thread count (for woven flannels), and the type of fiber used. Generally, cotton flannels are more affordable than high-quality wool flannels.
• Felt: The price of felt can also vary based on the type of fiber used, thickness, and the manufacturing process. Wool felt tends to be more expensive than synthetic felt due to its natural properties and production costs.

Thickness

• Flannel: Flannel can be found in different thicknesses, ranging from lightweight to heavyweight. Lightweight flannel is often used for shirts and blouses, while heavyweight flannel is used for warmer clothing and bedding.
• Felt: Felt comes in various thicknesses, and the thickness can be adjusted during the felting process. Thicker felt is commonly used for crafting and industrial purposes, providing more sturdiness and insulation, while thinner felt can be used for more delicate projects.

Crafting Use

• Flannel: While flannel is primarily known for its cozy clothing and bedding applications, it is less commonly used in crafting projects. The woven nature of flannel and its fuzzy surface may make it challenging to work with for certain crafting techniques. However, flannel can still be utilized for simple sewing projects, patchwork, and some home décor items.
• Felt: Felt, on the other hand, is a favorite fabric in the crafting world. Its non-woven structure and smooth surface allow for easy cutting and shaping without fraying. Felt is widely used for various crafting applications, such as making hats, bags, ornaments, plush toys, and other decorative items. Its versatility and ability to hold shapes well make it an excellent choice for a wide range of craft projects.

Felted Wool

• Flannel: Flannel can be made from cotton, wool, or a blend of both, but it is not typically associated with the felting process. Flannel’s manufacturing involves weaving and brushing, creating its soft and fuzzy texture.
• Felt: Felt is often associated with wool, as wool fibers are most commonly used in the felting process. Felting involves matting and pressing wool fibers together with heat, moisture, and agitation to create a dense and cohesive fabric. This process locks the fibers together, resulting in a fabric that does not fray, making it ideal for crafting.

Color Options

• Flannel: Flannel is available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Its popularity for clothing and bedding means that it is commonly found in both classic and trendy colors to suit various tastes and styles.
• Felt: Felt also comes in an extensive range of colors, making it ideal for crafting projects that require vibrant and diverse color options. Whether in sheets or rolls, crafters can easily find felt in a spectrum of hues to match their creative visions.

Availability

• Flannel: Flannel is widely available in many clothing and home goods stores, especially during the colder seasons when it is in high demand for warm clothing and bedding. It is relatively easy to find flannel products or flannel fabric for sewing projects.
• Felt: Felt is also readily available in craft stores, fabric shops, and online retailers. With its popularity in crafting and industrial uses, felt sheets or rolls in various sizes and colors are accessible for crafters and manufacturers alike.

Historical Use

• Flannel: Flannel has a long history dating back to the 17th century, with its roots in Wales. The word “flannel” is derived from the Welsh term “gwalnen,” referring to a woollen material. Historically, flannel was primarily used for clothing, particularly for laborers and those who needed sturdy and warm attire.
• Felt: Felt, too, has an ancient history, with archaeological evidence suggesting its use dating back thousands of years. Early civilizations, such as the ancient Sumerians and Mongols, made felt from animal fibers for clothing, shelter, and other practical applications. Throughout history, felt has been used for various purposes, including clothing, footwear, and even artwork.

Flannel Vs Felt: Comparison Table

Criteria	Flannel	Felt
Fabric Composition	Cotton, wool, or a blend of both	Wool, synthetic fibers (polyester, rayon, acrylic) or a blend
Woven/Non-woven	Woven	Non-woven
Surface Texture	Soft, brushed, and slightly napped	Smooth and dense
Common Uses	Pajamas, cozy sheets, shirts, clothing	Crafts, hats, decorative items, protective backing for furniture
Fabric Characteristics	Warm and comfortable	Insulating and durable
Production Method	Woven fabric	Matted and pressed fibers
Fuzzy Surface	Yes	No
Cutting and Shaping	Not as easy to cut and shape	Easy to cut and shape
Durability	Moderate to high	High
Types of Fiber	Cotton, wool	Wool, synthetic (polyester, etc.)
Breathability	Relatively breathable	Less breathable
Cleaning	Machine washable, some wool flannels may require special care	Generally not machine washable; dry clean or spot clean
Common Products	Pajamas, shirts, sheets, blankets	Crafts, hats, mats, protective materials, decorative items
Prices	Typically moderate to high	Can vary widely depending on the type of felt and application
Thickness	Varies but generally thicker than felt	Varies depending on the application
Crafting Use	Less popular for crafting	Widely used in crafting applications
Felted Wool	Not typically felted	Often used for felting projects
Color Options	A wide range of colors available	Wide variety of colors available
Availability	Widely available	Widely available
Historical Use	Traditional for clothing and bedding	Traditional for crafts and protective applications

FAQs

To Recap

The disparities between flannel and felt reveal the unique strengths and uses of each fabric.

Flannel’s brushed surface and woven structure make it an excellent choice for comfortable clothing and bedding, while felt’s smooth texture and non-woven nature position it as a versatile material in crafting and industrial applications.

Whether seeking warmth and coziness or durability and ease of crafting, both flannel and felt cater to diverse needs.

By appreciating the distinct characteristics and historical significance of these fabrics, individuals can confidently select the most suitable option for their desired projects and purposes.