Quilts are made to keep you warm in your bed. To make quilts at home, can you mix flannel and cotton in a quilt is a discussion. Quilts are made often with 100% cotton. As their main purpose is to provide warmth and coziness. True quilter will make his quilt with cotton, but of course, now a days there are so many other options too. If we discuss in detail, what materials can be added in a quilt to make it more warm and useful.
What are right materials to make quilt, and what is the right standard. All these are problems that needed to be answered in detail. Various type of fabrics provide different type of visual effect and different feel, also many brands experiments with all type of fabrics just for unique warmth and visuals. So, here in this article, I am going to share my experience about quilts, their materials and their uses.
Can You Mix Flannel And Cotton In A Quilt?
Rule For Mixing Different Fabrics
There is no rule like only cotton or a certain type of material is certified to make quilts. Different materials can be mixed and matched in quilt filling and top layer. Flannel is also one of them. The most warm, soft and ideal fabric type after cotton to make quilts. It’s softness makes it popular for sleeping garments among kids. So, it has to be an ideal material for sleeping blankets, quilts and rugs.
Use Cotton For Warmth
Out of many brands out there, many of them tried to pair both materials for filling the quilts and they succeeded. I personally do not recommend using both of them together, as they both have different qualities. This makes it difficult for one to handle them together. For warmth, I prefer using cotton as the filling material.
Use Flannel As Quilt Cover
You can freely use flannel as closure cover or quilt cover on the top layer.This will make easy for you to wash and maintain flannel cover as per demands and standards. Flannel has a special ability to shrink when get in contact with water, it will make your quilt uneven, miss matched and smaller. So, do not mix flannel and cotton in a quilt.
Is It Necessary To Pre-wash The Fabric?
As for the top layer or cover, you can prepare it with different fabric styles and materials for visuals and scheme. Flannel is a popular choice to make quilts. It’s softness and warmth requires special care while preparing and maintaining it. Remember to pre-wash the fabric before you start styling it for your quilt, because flannel seem to shrink in water.
Perks & Risks to Use Flannel
Style & Quality
Mostly flannel fabric styles seem to have double sides, it means you can style them from both sides of the fabric. Not all of the flannel but mostly of high quality ones are meant to be used both sides. They are wearable for a long time. Feels more soft and warm than low quality ones.
Texture
Flannel has a fuzzy texture, loose woven fiber than cotton that makes it a better choice for making quilts. It feels lighter but provides warmth equally. I advise you to pre-wash the flannel, before cutting into pieces to make a quilt. This will protect your quilt from un even sides and shrinking risks.
Weight Of Flannel
Make sure to get the right weight and quality as per your requirements, because flannel is available in different weights and qualities in the market. If you are in a cold atmosphere or on high areas, choose heavy weight flannel to make a quilt. Because lighter the weight, more it will be breathable and light to use.
Worn Edges
Flannel can easily get mixed with other fabrics. You can mix it with cotton to make blankets and rugs for adding more breathability and comfort. It is more prone to fraying as compared to other fabrics. Which can challenge you well when cutting and piecing to make a quilt.
Comfort
Flannel can shrink very easily, that makes it more lower in rank than other fabrics. It is heavier than light weight cotton fabrics and materials. It can be a little discomfort able for people who like light bedding.
Lint Production Is A Big Set Back
Flannel produces a lot of lint as compared to other fabrics, that makes it hard for people to adopt for their bedding. Adding it with cotton can add breathability but also can add a risk of shrinkage and uneven sides.
Durability
Flannel is not as durable as cotton, it is only soft and cozy but durability is not a flannel thing. When you pre wash it for quilting, it may get wrinkled easily. For this you may iron flannel, but then it will get more stretchy which makes difficult to sew a quilt in right measurements.
Perks To Use Cotton In A Quilt!
Breathability
Cotton is a very breathable fiber, hence, when used in different fabrics to fill in, it provides a breathable environment. That eventually provide regulation of temperature, better circulation of air for easy usage throughout the year.
Versatility
The amount of cotton you use in a quilt to fill in, or you use as the fabric, decides how many seasons in a year you can use this quilt? Other than that cotton comes in various styles, colors and textures that allow you to use it in endless combinations for quilt making.
Durable
Since cotton is a natural fiber, it is durable and healthy to use. Also, it is safe for the environment. It can withstand washing and regular use very actively. Quilts that are made from high quality cotton can be used for a very long period of time with proper shape holding.
Absorbance & Comfortability
Cotton can absorb moisture and humidity very well, that is helpful using cotton quilts in winter seasons. Also, as it is naturally soft fiber, it is very comfortable to use as bedding. Quilts that are made from cotton can provide a comfortable, cozy and inviting feel against skin.
Easy Care & Hypoallergenic
It is convenient to use cotton quilts as they are usually machine washable and easy to take care of. Cotton is less likely to cause allergic reactions to skin as compared to other synthetic materials. People with sensitive skin or allergies can use them comfortably.
Environmental Friendly Material
Cotton is a natural fiber, and is biodegradable material. It mostly does not harm our environment, but you have to choose organic cotton fiber or sustainably sourced material to lessen the risks.
Risks Involve For Cotton Usage
Shrinking
Cotton mostly shrinks when you expose it to extreme heat, especially when washing and drying. If the fabric is not pre-washed before making a quilt, it may shrink and change the shape and size to uneven.
Easy Wrinkle Game
Cotton get wrinkled very easily. If you use it as fabric for the quilt cover or bedding, you may notice wrinkling problem more often. If quilt cover is left in dryer for too long, it also can cause wrinkling. As a result, it may require an extra work of steaming or ironing the quilt.
Fades very soon
Color bleeding is the most common problem in cotton fabric. After few washes, you may notice a fade shade of color of what you have started with. Also, drying in sunlight for too long can also cause color to fade soon.
Questionable Warmth
Warmth from cotton only depends on, what weight of cotton are you using in specified size of quilt and for what season. But if you use cotton as a fabric, it is nearly impossible to get required warmth from that quilt, as cotton is very breathable.
Piling of Fiber
When cotton is used as filling of a quilt, you can not wash it to clean it. Washing can cause cotton to pile in chunks and leave a damaged shape of quilt. Mostly, this problem lies in low quality cotton, but you may face it with high quality cotton too!
Conclusion
When you decide to mix flannel and cotton in a quilt, make sure to remember the different perks and risks of both fabrics. Mixing them both as filling can be a bit challenging for the required warmth and comfortability.
I would recommend you to use cotton as he filling material of the quilt, and use flannel for the quilt cover. Flannel is available in various style and weights, that will allow you to get the proper design and right quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, according to your requirements of warmth and visuals, you can mix different fabrics in a quilt. But make sure to check for color bleeding, fading, shrinking and warmth of the fabrics to maintain quilt for a long time.
You can mix flannel and cotton in a rag quilt. Because they are made with layers of flannel and cotton padding. Avoid mixing both fabrics in a quilt filling. Use flannel as the quilt cover.
Flannel is a thicker but softer fabric than cotton. It is hard to work with flannel to make quilts. You can choose flannel according to fabric weight, as it indicates the quality of flannel.
Yes, you should pre-wash flannel before cutting it for a quilt. Flannel is prone to shrinking more often than other fabrics, it is possible that after sewing it may shrink. Flannel may shrink more than cotton. It also depends on the weight and quality of the flannel.
Flannel is more loose woven the cotton, so when it is padded with cotton it is naturally more warmer. But in many areas where the weather is freezing cold, it is better to use cotton as filling, because of its breathability.
It is used to make clothing items like shirts, cardigans and vests. Some manufacturers use this for home textiles too, that are, bed sheets, blankets and bed linens. This fabric is more comfortable to wear in summer season.
