Flannel is a soft woven fabric that can be made from wool, cotton, or synthetic fiber. It has a fuzzy finish on one or both sides, which can be created by brushing or by its characteristic loose weave. Flannel is commonly used to make tartan clothing, blankets, bed sheets, and sleepwear. It is often woven with patterns, especially plaid and tartan. Flannel has been made since the 17th century, and it was originally made from carded wool or worsted yarn. Nowadays, it can be made from various soft fibers that are either brushed or unbrushed. There are different types of flannel, including:

• Cotton flannel or Canton flannel: a cotton fabric napped on one or two sides.
• Diaper flannel: a stout cotton fabric napped on both sides, used for making cloth diapers.
• Vegetable flannel: a wool and cotton mixture invented in Germany in the 1800s.

Flannel is often mistakenly used to refer to any shirt with a plaid or tartan pattern, but it refers simply to the fabric. Flannel shirts can be plaid or solid-colored. Flannel is warm and soft to the touch, making it a popular fabric for cold-weather clothing and bedding. It is easy to clean and care for, and it will get softer as it gets older.