do so many stores carry really cute flannel prints just perfect for babies and children, but when you look at the fabric, it carries the warning "not suitable for pjs, robes, blankets...you name it, for babies and children under 12.

How many children over 12 want all these things with little bunnies and turtles and frogs peeking out from behind flowers? Or puppies scampering? I am talking baby patterns?

IS there some logic to this I am missing? If they are going to print these cute things on flannel, why not make it usable for babies and young kids?

They're not treated w/ a flame retardant chemical that is required on fabric used for clothing (I asked a fabric shop about this once). And, in today's society, someone would probably sue if the warning weren't there. That being said...I use them all the time for those kinds of items, not just quilts.

The fabric makers need to CYA in case of a chile being hurt while near the fabric ... as in a fire.

Hey, if someone can sue McDonald's for too hot coffee ... almost anything goes.

ali

The law requires the warning. This law came about because of a very vocal mother who used RAYON pjs, with the predictasble results. For any who do not know, Rayon is virtually an explosive waiting for any spark. My father demo'ed this for me when I was a small person, but until the law changed (and manufacturers lost lawsuits) rayon was regularly used for baby clothing. The flame retardants are also carcinogens, but let's not go into the logic of that one.

So if I make some bibs, burb cloths, etc from them, I am not risking the child's life?

I would say no more than if you use regular quilter's cotton which isn't treated with flame retardant either... as others have said, it's just the manufacturers protecting themselves against lawsuits. In the labels of my kids' pjs it always says 'do not place near a fire' - but then who would place ANY child near a fire, no matter what they were wearing? :-)

You are far better using flannel/cotton/wool for any of those items as opposed to any synthetic material. If there is a fire or any sort, the natural fibers will burn but will not melt into the skin like synthetics do. Much less risk of serious injury with natural fibers.

I agree! The cotton won't melt. That's y they tell u when u fly to wear cotton, no nylons! I don't want all the chemicals near my baby or child either!! Saw a program on new mattress 's that there are sooo many chemicals on because ppl fall asleep with cigarettes ! They are toxic but will burn slow!!

i use the flannels for kids all of the time. the manufacturer is just putting the warning there because it's the law and it protects them against law suits.

many of us have been making our children (and grandchildren) flannel pajamas for years---without the added chemicals---none of mine have suffered adverse effects from the clothes i've made them-
if they ever caught fire the flannel would burn up- like any other fabric not treated with flame retardant chemicals.
warnings have to be on everything in this 'sue happy' country we live in

I watched a report one time that said the most flamable thing in your entire house is your mattress! Go figure...

Yes and no ... in a much lesser way than long, full body cover garments

whooooops .... no caffine yet, so my finger got a little trigger happy! :)

The melting factor is why I would never use "green" quilt batting. We live in a society that has to be told not to put a plastic bag over its head.

How did I manage to get this old? And raise 3 children without them burning up in their flannel pajamas?
People today want a guarantee on life's experiences that are their responsibility. No one can prevent a fire unless they use common sense and don't start one. Everything around us can't be made fireproof but we can all be aware of the dangers of fire.
Most of us have used flannel without the retardant for clothing and bedding. I agree, what is the sense of making flannel for children's clothing if you can't use it for them. I say, use whatever flannel you see you like and love your children so much, you will prevent fires in your own home by not using candles or smoking, they cause the most fires.

Carol J.

this is true; years ago when there was so much polyester and like in fabrics children in fires were getting severly burned because the fabric would melt to their skins. You rarely see those types of fabrics now w/childrens themes on them. Now fabrics w/children themes comes w/warnings to protect the companies. I don't blame them; there are some who will sue even if the know the damage is due to their own negligence

Agreed!! I use all the time for baby blankets, etc.

I would say no more than if you use regular quilter's cotton which isn't treated with flame retardant either... as others have said, it's just the manufacturers protecting themselves against lawsuits. In the labels of my kids' pjs it always says 'do not place near a fire' - but then who would place ANY child near a fire, no matter what they were wearing? :-)[/quote]

When I asked a clerk at JoAnne's if they had any that was safe for children's sleepwear she said that they didn't and I had a choice of putting my child in a non-chemically treated garment that I make and not putting her over a flame or giving her matches or buying a pre-made that is chemically treated with carcinogens...what a choice!

Manufacturers have to cover their rear-ends. If you look at the patterns in the 'sleepwear' section, they all say that they are not suitable for childrens sleepwear.

why do they put warnings? check out strollers now, they say "remove child before collapsing stroller" OMG how did we know this without the warnings????

It is our CYA society. Because if the manufacturers don't put it on the label someone WILL sue them.

I prefer the natural fabrics to the chemically treated ones any day of the week.

Cheers, K

And slightly off topic - why can't I find some of the cute prints in MY size. Sure a tween or teen might not appreciate the whimsy of some of the designs. But Moms with a sense of humor definitely appreciate the whimsy.

Yup in our sue happy world this is why they put warnings on almost everything.

i have to admidt, that at 52, i make my pj's out of these fabs.

I guess I can always include a note, please do not set fire to the baby, lol. I don't believe either parent smokes, either.

If I understand what you are asking, I too have wondered why they don't offer a better vaiety of prints for older children and for adults out of these wonderful flannels. I have to look high and low before buying one I don't think is too infantile or babyish for my jammies. One reason I guess why so many of mine are plain. I live in jammies in the winter - warmer and more comfortable.

We were just talking about the silly , to us, things that are put on tags. But remember most of the time if it says something, some fool did it. On my blow dryer, Do not immerse in water while plugged in, well Duh!
And when was the last time You gave a plastic bag to a child to play with? LOL

it is crazy the world we live in I was reading some of the manufactures warning labels the other day absolutely stupid but because of the sue happy world they have to be there I use the flannel all the time

i would not use the flame retardent treated fabrics....the chemicals would be next to skin and they are itchy and i even have trouble breathing if near them, forget sewing with them !

Very well said! BTW, Did you know that using fabric softeners increases the flammibility? And who doesn't use that for all our sleepwear -- and the rest of our laundry.

Glad I was raised before we knew all these things that HAD to be regulated by someone besides ourselves. It might be we knew the time of Freedom with Responsiblity.

I have heard before that the chemicals that make those items fire-retardent wash out anyway!

Again our government telling us what common knowledge should already be in our head. In other words, please don't put your baby near an open flame with flannel (or any thing for that matter). It will catch on fire. DAHHHHHH

Is it not arrogant to suppose we can protect our families against all hazards, fire in particular? Most fatal home fires happen at night with everyone sleeping. Guarantee that there will never be an electrical short, a lightening strike, a smoking guest, a pot left on the stove in a neighboring apartment, malfunctioning furnace, wildfire, someone else's kid experimenting with maches, or arson? Of course these are not common occurrences but prudence dictates we regard them as possibilities.

The fire retardants for children's sleepwear became manditory because of synthetics which ignite and stick and burn and melt onto the skin. Cotton, too, burns fiercely but without the melt and stick of the synthetics so the safety precautions were required of all manufactured children's pjs.

Perhaps we should consider making wool the filling of choice for children's quilts....the caution labels on fabric obviously intended for children remind us to take care in our selection and be aware of the possible consequences of our choices.

Those fabrics are out there ... a store near me has a HUGE selection of flannelettes. And in every colour, design, style, type imaginable. Quite honestly, I go in there and am usually SO overwhelmed that I can't decide.

So I think the problem is more so, that many stores don't want to have the risk the vast inventory, and so, only bring in a limited selection for a limited market.

I agree with you. I understand the reasoning about not being flame retardant, but why make them with with scenes that a younger-than-twelve would love if you shouldn't use it on them.

Totally crazy isn't it. How did we oldies survive growing up!:)

Thanks for the info .

I remember when that happened! I was about 6 or 7 and my mom tossed some fabric into the fire and it just exploded! She was showing us how important it was to stay away from the fire. But I'm in my 70s now, and the only fires I've seen heating houses are in stoves, and mighty few of those.

Most mothers now days don't want extra chemicals in their children's clothes, but the law still stands. Go figure.

The thing I can't understand is that yes, cotton burns, BUT polyester and nylon melt - onto the skin - How can that be better?

yes the frivilous law suits have taken the sense out of common sense.
All I can say is the woman who sued Mcd. because their coffee was hot and burned her when she sat it on the seat of the car between her legs was lucky I was not on the jury. She would not have gotten any settlement, I probably would have requested a retraining order banning her from ever ordering coffee from anyone. That case IMHO was stupidity meeting greed.

ditto