Flannel or brushed cotton?

[HomespunMary]

I need to ask another question... again....

Here I was, having just bought, washed (twice!), and cut out a flannel fabric for backing, all inspired by all your enthusiastic words about cuddly and soft flannel quilt backs... Then I did a day trip today to the only quilt fabric store I can find around here, to buy some fabric for another quilt, and I mentioned my flannel project to the lady in the store. She asked me if it was "American flannel" or "Swedish flannel". I had never reflected on the possibilty that what in Sweden goes under the name of flannel would be different from what you call flannel in the US, but appently there is... The lady told me that while they are both 100% cotton, the "Swedish flannel" is called "brushed cotton" in the US, and that this fabric stretches quite a bit more than American flannel. Of course, I had bought the "Swedish flannel"...

Now I don't know whether to go on and use my "brushed cotton" or to choose another fabric for backing. Has anyone out there used "brushed cotton" and can tell me if it was "puckering" a lot when quilted?

[sewbug]

I didn't know there was a difference in the cotton flannel except in the quality. Quilt shop flannel is suppose to be high quality. I have no idea about the difference in Swedish or American. Interesting to learn about this!

[gmaann]

Homespun Mary, I sure wouldn't worry about using your 'flannel' for the back of your quilt. Since you've washed it (twice!) it should be OK. Only if you are not happy with the feel of it, should you consider changing it (IMHO)!!

[HomespunMary]

gmaann, yeah, well, it is 100% cotton, it is washed, it feels very very nice and cuddly, but I was worried that it may stretch a bit more than "American flannel", and create a mess when I quilt it...

Is "brushed cotton" a type of fabric that any of you have hear of?

[cindyg]

Homespun - I believe that brushed cotton is more tightly woven than flannel. I don't know about the stretch or shrinkage. If you like the feel of the fabric you have prepared why not just use it and not worry whether it's flannel or brushed cotton?

[HomespunMary]

cindy, I was just thinking that if someone had tried brushed cotton and would recommend against it because it was creating huge puckers on the back, then I wasn't even going to try...

[gmaann]

I don't think I have ever heard the term 'brushed cotton', but I have made my DH a couple of shirts that were kind of like lightweight denim, but with a very soft feel, and when you said brushed cotton that's what I had in mind. The shirts turned out very nice, and they washed really nicely, too. I am not sure if they were 100% cotton, though. This was before I was hooked on quilting and knew to use 100% cotton!

[Cathy32078]

I have some F Qtrs of brushed cotton and it is a tighter weave and maybe just a tad bit thicker that reg. flannel. I have never worked with it though.

[HomespunMary]

Cathy, thanks. I decided if you have some FQs of it, someone must have thought it works for quilts, so I just basted my quilt top with it...

To me though. it seems my fabric may actually have a slightly looser weave than "American flannel", even though I also think it is a slight bit thicker... Anyway, I felt like experimenting, and now it is basted, so I think I'm at the point of no return.... I'm so eager to try out some free motion machine quilting, which I've never done on a real quilt before, so I decided there was no time to be indecisive about the backing!

[CoyoteQuilts]

Interesting fact. Have heard about 'brushed cotton', which years ago was a cotton the had what looked like 'fuzz' on it and was very soft & 'hung' well. To me flannel is flannel. Good luck & let us know how it comes out-- also a pic would be great! S