Domet flannel

[cjc]

Well, me and my mom went to wal-mart today to look for some homespun cotton material to use for a civilian shirt. To my suprise, I see somthing that would do great for an issue shirt! they call it double napp flannel. It is kind of an off white, not soft, but not scratchy either. It kind of reminds me of buffing pad material. It would be too heavy for summer events, but it would be great for the late fall events. Have any of you saw this at your wal-mart? It is called double napp flannel. I dont know if it is wool or cotton, but I am leaning on the side of wool.

[harley_davis]

Sir:
If you have a JoAnn's Fabric near you, check their homespun cotton selection. A much better selection of some close to period patterns & colors. Might want to get the book on fabric history. WallyWorld used to have good selection but not so much lately. Now days, it is nearly all just the very over done, red or blue checkered stuff. In regards to your flannel question, I will defer to the better informed. Without seeing it, I would suspect that it is not very close to Domet. I know that my correct Domet shirt is miserable to wear unless I have on my undershirt. Wearing it in the midst of the summer heat will give you a much deeper appreciation for what the Boys of '61 went through. Something one should experience at least once in your reenacting career.
Regards,

[Spinster]

There will be a label on the end of each bolt at the cloth store that tells the fiber content.

Its going to be the rare Walmart where anything 100 percent wool is found.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Dommet flannel was more wool than cotton, and had no nap whatsoever. Anything other than dommet or true wool flannel is incorrect for any Federal issue shirt. That said, your material might make a fine civilian shirt. I've had some good luck in finding suitable homespun plaids and solid cottons at WalMart, but never any linen or wools worthy of replicating garments.

[KarinTimour]

Dear Ross:

Very interested in your post -- I'd always understood that cotton flannel isn't appropriate for a period correct shirt. But again my documentation for that is "I've always been told......

Sincerely,
Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Sleeping Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[FloridaHoosier]

You are correct - cotton flannel is largely incorrect for the period. What WalMart calls "double nap" is actually a bit closer to "sanded twill" cotton than what we see sold as cotton flannel (like that in long sleeve modern flannel shirts). The "double nap" actually is a tighter weave and courser appearance than modern cotton flannel. It is still not a perfect choice to replicate garments with, but is closer fit to make citizen's shirts than to try to make Federal issue shirts with.

[cjc]

Thank yoy all for clearing this up for me.

[fallstoomuch]

Ben tart sells dommet flannel.

[Pvt. Shattuck]

There must be differences in manufacturers of domet though because some is much scratchier than others. I had a shirt made recently out of a Charlie Childs kit and it was comparatively soft.

[KarinTimour]

You are correct - cotton flannel is largely incorrect for the period. What WalMart calls "double nap" is actually a bit closer to "sanded twill" cotton than what we see sold as cotton flannel (like that in long sleeve modern flannel shirts). The "double nap" actually is a tighter weave and courser appearance than modern cotton flannel. It is still not a perfect choice to replicate garments with, but is closer fit to make citizen's shirts than to try to make Federal issue shirts with.

Adding my thanks to Mr. Courtney's, I'd never heard of "double nap" and will see if I can find some next time I'm in a fabric store. Most of the Walmarts up this way have stopped carrying any fabric at all, and downsized much of their sewing equipment, etc. I suspect this may vary regionally. With the downsizing of Home Ec departments in junior highs and high schools, there just seem to be fewer people sewing these days. Of course, I grew up in Indiana, the state with the highest per capita 4-H participation, and many people took up sewing in 4-H........and if I keep going down this train of thought, I'm going to start reminiscing about how much I miss the 1880s.......


In any case, your explanation was very clear, and dispelled my confusion about cotton flannel.

Sincerely,
Karin Timour
Period Knitting -- Socks, Sleeping Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com