Key Difference – Cotton vs Flannel
Cotton and flannel are two common terms in the textile industry. Although many people own and use clothes made of these materials, they often don’t know the difference between them. Cotton is a fiber obtained from the cotton plant, while flannel is a fabric made from cotton, wool, or synthetic fiber. Therefore, the main difference between cotton and flannel is that cotton is a fiber, whereas flannel is a fabric.
What is Cotton?
Cotton is a soft, white fibrous substance that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant (genus Gossypium in the family of Malvaceae) and is made into textile fiber and thread for sewing. Native to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including Africa, the Americas, and India, the earliest use of cotton by humans dates back to 5000 BC.
Cotton fiber is spun into yarn or thread and used to make a soft, breathable textile. Primarily used in the textile industry, cotton is utilized to create various products such as bedsheets, pillowcases, towels, robes, t-shirts, dresses, shirts, socks, underwear, diapers, and more. Fabrics like denim, terry cloth, corduroy, and seersucker are also made using cotton. Cotton is sometimes blended with other materials, such as linen, to achieve maximum benefits, including wrinkle resistance and lightweight.
What is Flannel?
Flannel is a soft woven fabric typically made of wool or cotton, though it can also be made of synthetic fiber. Often used to make bedsheets, blankets, sleepwear, and tartan clothing, flannel has been in use since the 17th century and is believed to have originated in Wales.
Many flannel fabrics come in plaids, and people often assume that flannel is synonymous with plaid patterns. In reality, flannel can come in various colors and patterns. Clothing made from flannel fabric helps keep the wearer warm in cold environments, which is why it is frequently worn during winter, often as pajamas.
There are different types of flannel, including baby flannel (a light fabric used for children’s wear), vegetable flannel (made from fibers of the Scots pine rather than wool), Ceylon flannel (made from a mixture of cotton and wool), and cotton flannel (a cotton fabric napped on one or both sides).
What is the difference between Cotton and Flannel?
– Definition:
– Cotton: Cotton is a soft staple fiber that surrounds the seeds of the cotton plants of the genus Gossypium in the family of Malvaceae.
– Flannel: Flannel is a soft woven fabric, typically made of wool or cotton.
– Uses:
– Cotton: Cotton is used to make bedsheets, dresses, t-shirts, pants, shirts, socks, underwear, diapers, etc.
– Flannel: Flannel is used to make sleepwear, bedsheets, blankets, tartan clothing, etc.
– History:
– Cotton: The use of cotton dates back to 5000 BC.
– Flannel: The use of flannel dates back to the 17th century.
– Connection:
– Cotton: Cotton is used to create many fabrics, including denim, terry cloth, corduroy, and flannel.
– Flannel: Flannel is made using cotton, wool, or synthetic fiber.
– Heat vs Cold:
– Cotton: Clothes made of cotton fabrics are mostly worn in warm areas because they are lightweight.
– Flannel: Flannel clothes are mostly worn in cold climates.
– Patterns:
– Cotton: Fabrics made of cotton may have various colors and patterns.
– Flannel: Flannel fabrics are mostly associated with plaid patterns.
