Cautions on fabric etc.
 

I do approximately 20 Linus blankets a month. All machine made and usually using flannel on the back. I love the new "kiddy" flannel prints they sell in the fabric stores like JoAnns etc. There is a warning on the bolt end that says "this fabric should not be used in children's sleepwear". Am I missing something. Where would you use flannel, children's prints? Today I purchased a children's patttern for items that resemble hospital scrubs. I wanted it for a new chairity project to make hospital garb for children in the hospital in Haiti and other disadvantaged places. The pattern says not to be used for children's sleepwear. What are children supposed to wear to sleep? I know that cotton flannel is flamable but at least it flashs and then turns to fine ash. Fabrics with polyester melt when they burn and can stick to skin and flesh. Exactly what is suitable for children's sleepwear?

Saw a program on PBS earlier this spring that stated the chemicals used in flame retardant were unsafe for children's clothing/sleepwear due to so many allergies from long contact (?). They suggested 100% cotton since cotton has a slow burn rate.
Maybe the charities you quilt for will recommend fabrics?

It's one of those weird laws that don't make sense. There was a good reason maybe at the time, but you really have to wonder. Now it just freaks people out.

It's kind of like a lot of things such as drinking alcohol is bad for you, but wait...wine is good for your heart, eat fish because it is healthy, but wait.....fish can have high mercury levels which is bad for you, etc.

exactly. good examples ;-)

they need to update their statements on the fabric labels Over the years I've made oddles of baby quilt and other quilt for my 4-sons and many other people out of flannels.

I agree -100% cotton without flame retardant chemicals is really much safer

Several years ago, some foolish people put RAYON (an explosive) pjs on their kids with the predictable and horrible results. The outcome of this was laws requiring flame retardant (but unhealthy, IMHO) materials for kids. Yes, the laws need to be improved, but probably won't at this date. Yes, do make cuddly flannel backed quilts.

In case you have any doubt that rayon is explosive, try the experiment my father showed me. Put a scrap of rayon in the sink and add fire. My father, based on his scientific training felt rayon should be banned for all clothing, as a windblown spark from a passing smoker can turn your lovely blouse into a torch.

The warnings about sleepwear are because sleepwear can be baggy and the air all around the fabric increases the burning. Close fitting sleepwear is preferred for kids. It doesn't matter so much in quilts because they are close to the child with no air blowing underneath. I'm guessing that those scrub like things you're going to be making are baggy and that's why they're not recommended for kids.

Joann's has some of the flame retardant flannette stuff to make pj's out of but it feels & smells so icky there is no way I would buy it. Flannel nightgowns were good enough for me, mom, grandma, great-grandma, etc. and I felt lucky to get a new one.

As for the "flame-retardant" stuff we are supposed to use--aren't most fire related deaths caused by smoke inhalation? I would worry more about kids being allergic to the chemicals than being burnt by their own pj's.