Here in Australia we have Flannel & Flannelette. Two different qualities. Flannelette is what you describe and good for PJ's and baby clothes, but Flannel is good thick quality fabric. I remember asking when I first started quilting, "What's the difference between flannel and flannelette" to be told about $28.oo per metre.

I haven't heard the term "flannelette" in about three decades! What I used to know as flannelette was actually a light flocked nylon, not cotton at all. They made nightgowns out of it, which stuck to your legs with static electricity.

In canada we have the same as Australia...flanelette, which is thinner and cheaper (8$ a metre). And flannel which is 16$ for a meter(39")..

I have always loved my flannel quilts for snuggling under while watching television. Better quality flannel doesn't pill.

Some time it peels because it of not being of good weight to me anyway. I like the softness of it also.

Fiunny, I'm all about traditional quilting with batting & cotton both sides, and I used to really dislike "rag quilts", but lately I took a tangent and have made a bunch of rag quilts. Easy to make quick gifts, snuggly, and cute as heck. I'm ready to get back to my normal quilting, but I sure have had fun making some of the raggies :) especially for little girls doll beds, soooo cute!

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I will make nothing out of flannel ever again. I made myself a really cute flannel shirt that stupidly ended up in a load with towels. Icky pilly can't be worn again and all that work gone.

Flannel on the back of a quilt keeps it from slipping off the sheets during the night as much.

You laugh...but it's true!

what brands of flannel do you like?

sandy

I used to work in my LQS and did a shrinkage test on our flannels. I tested 5 and only one shrank, less than 1/4 inch in a yard cut. That was cold water wash and warm dryer. Maywood is the only brand I can remember right now. Yes you pay a hefty price but you have a good heavy fabric that is well worth it.

when first doing charity quilts, I used yard sale sheets for the backs, some of which were flannel. The flannel came out so nice, I started looking for them and even bought flat king size ones when they were on sale at Boscov's for $5. Sadly they haven't had them for awhile. I do wish manufacturers would make the flannel in wider rolls.

I have purchased flannel backing that ranges anywhere from 90" to 108".

flannel is much more cuddly and warmer....... and if you buy the good flannel it doesn't pill

When I first started making blankets and quilts I used the JAF snuggle flannel cause I could get it very cheaply on sale, the potential cost of messing up was much less so I had less newbie anxiety plus it wears fine for me, minor pilling on some but my kids don't care and neither does the toddler niece who drags it all over the floor and outside to the sandbox. They have fun prints too. I do watch the quality, some patterns are practically see-through and I avoid those. It's no longer my main fabric but it still has it's place.

Won't touch it for most things. It snags on fingers and just plain feels nasty. I will use it for stuffing a raggy. Sandwiched in between good cotton and good muslin.

I think they may want to give a flannel quilt as a gift to someone they genuinely think will love it, possibly an adult son or husband.

When I make a quilt for use in a cold climate, I do back them with flannel sheets that I buy inexpensively at second hand stores and garage sales. I have even dyed one to color match a quilt when I could find nothing else suitable in color. I get a text every winter to let me know he still loves it (especially now that he lives on the North Pacific Ocean).

I've stated to use minky for my backs! more money but comfy and soft!

I agree with the original poster. I made a flannel rash quilt, which I love, but I don't think it washed or wears as well as regular cotton. In fact, I find it frustrating that I buy flannel that feels nice, and after it is washed it's awful, it fades, and it pills like crazy. I made my granddaughter two night gowns that looked wonderful before they were washed, then they looked terrible. :(

Like all fabrics there is a wide variety of qualities. I've made flannel quilts that are 15-20 years old, much used and loved that still have not pulled. Lint was not a problem making them, they are soft, cozy, lofty and wonderful.
I purchase good quality double sided flannels, meaty and fairly tightly woven. Benartex are my favorites, moda Woolies too.

This post is close to two years old...

I've used flannel to back some of my quilts so they won't just slide off the bed on a restless night. That being said, I don't use JAF flannel, I use quilt shop quality flannel which is much more tightly woven & haven't had any trouble with pilling yet.