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To pill or not to pill (Moderated by Deepika, Sharon1952)
Posted on: 1/27/14 2:17 PM ET
Hi all - I would loe to hear your input re: quality flannel. I have checked the internet and cannot find much info. Basically, is there such a thing as flannel which does not pill? I purchased some yesterday at a well-respected quilt shop in my part of the country (googling answers suggested quality flannel would be found at quilt shops). Loved it, bought enough to try the Archer Shirt and was so disappointed this a.m. after pulling it from the dryer only to find it had pilled. Someone suggested I try wool flannel instead of the cotton, so ordered some from Mood a while ago. Now another person tells me this will pill also.
Any thoughts? I'm finding this confusing and frustrating
TIA!
Carol
-- Edited on 1/27/14 2:18 PM --
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Any thoughts? I'm finding this confusing and frustrating

TIA!
Carol
-- Edited on 1/27/14 2:18 PM --
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ceedee aka carol
Posted on: 1/27/14 5:28 PM ET
There are cotton flannels that don't pill. They have a tighter weave and a smoothness to their modest fuzz.
I have less experience with wool flannel but I have a few wool flannel items that have not pilled even though they had the sort of wear that often leads to it. (Carrying around supplies using a shoulder strap.) I think as long as there is a mix of long fibers in there and the weave it tight you will not have much pilling. I have had more pilling problems with wool twills than with flannels.
I have less experience with wool flannel but I have a few wool flannel items that have not pilled even though they had the sort of wear that often leads to it. (Carrying around supplies using a shoulder strap.) I think as long as there is a mix of long fibers in there and the weave it tight you will not have much pilling. I have had more pilling problems with wool twills than with flannels.
Posted on: 1/27/14 8:51 PM ET
I have had good luck using LLBean's portugese flannel sheets and using them. They don't pill as sheets or as clothing. Buy them in the outlet stores.
Posted on: 1/28/14 5:47 AM ET
Sewcat - What a great idea! I am headed up to do an errand next weekend not far from an outlet in NH; I will definitely stop in and look at the sheets. Thanks!
Caren751 - I hadn't stopped to think about what makes a fabric pill and now I know. Thanks for the lesson, it'll help me ask the right questions before spending another $50.00 on the wrong fabric.
So helpful, thanks again!
Carol
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Caren751 - I hadn't stopped to think about what makes a fabric pill and now I know. Thanks for the lesson, it'll help me ask the right questions before spending another $50.00 on the wrong fabric.
So helpful, thanks again!
Carol
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ceedee aka carol
Posted on: 1/28/14 6:16 AM ET
Talking about L L Bean flannel sheets, they sell flannel shirts that are made from top quality cotton flannel and don't pill. DH buys his shirts from them and they maintain their color and lack of pilling for several years. I just wish I could get that same quality in the flannel I try to buy. I can't make shirts out of as good a quality fabric as they have in their shirts. It would be lovely to find out where it comes from.
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Sewing in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia
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Posted on: 1/28/14 6:16 AM ET
Edited to delete double post.
-- Edited on 1/28/14 6:16 AM --
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-- Edited on 1/28/14 6:16 AM --
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Sewing in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia
Sewing Room Pics
https://flic.kr/s/aHsiQ5MC5R
Sewing Room Pics
https://flic.kr/s/aHsiQ5MC5R
Posted on: 1/28/14 9:30 AM ET
In reply to ceedee
Maybe the sheets are the way to source the fabric that you need. I have, more than once, used a good sheet as they sometimes cost less than the yard goods that I was looking for.
If you are looking at wool flannel, be very sure that it is 100% wool, as the synthetic fibers can be the cause of pilling.
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If you are looking at wool flannel, be very sure that it is 100% wool, as the synthetic fibers can be the cause of pilling.
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If it can be done with a needle and thread, I can do it!
Posted on: 1/28/14 9:34 AM ET
Recently I bought some coat-lining-weight flannel from Emma One Sock (I'm almost certain). It was lovely. I washed it and dried it twice and no pilling. Used it to underline a jacket for my 3 yr. old DGD. Very cozy and soft.
Posted on: 1/28/14 2:22 PM ET
Those sheets may be really good quality, but they don't have really pretty, deep colored plaids as DH wants for his winter shirts. I did look and thought I'd probably like shirts made from some of their sheets. I've used sheets for yardage for other things before. My problem is that I'm not close to an L L Bean outlet and if I am going to pay full price for a sheet, I might as well buy the ready made L L Bean shirt.
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Sewing in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia
Sewing Room Pics
https://flic.kr/s/aHsiQ5MC5R
Sewing Room Pics
https://flic.kr/s/aHsiQ5MC5R
Posted on: 1/28/14 2:22 PM ET
Edited to delete double post.
-- Edited on 1/28/14 2:23 PM --
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-- Edited on 1/28/14 2:23 PM --
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Sewing in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia
Sewing Room Pics
https://flic.kr/s/aHsiQ5MC5R
Sewing Room Pics
https://flic.kr/s/aHsiQ5MC5R
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