Eddie Bauer Cotton Flannel Bedding Sheet Set
Last updated date: September 14, 2020
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We looked at the top Flannel Sheets and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Flannel Sheet you should buy.
Overall Take
In our analysis of 99 expert reviews, the Eddie Bauer Eddie Bauer Cotton Flannel Bedding Sheet Set placed 3rd when we looked at the top 14 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.
Editor's Note September 10, 2020:
Checkout The Best Flannel Sheet for a detailed review of all the top flannel sheets.
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From The Manufacturer
Pre-shrunk and brushed for added softness. Fully elasticized fitted sheet prevents slipping from mattress and ensures a perfect fit
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An Overview On Flannel Sheets
During the fall and winter months when the wind is howling outside and temperatures are dropping, nothing beats getting into a warm, snuggly bed with soft flannel sheets. Not only do the flannel sheets help keep out the cold at night, but they are also utterly comforting and velvety.
How does flannel get its soft, buttery feel and incredible warmth? It has something to do with how the material is made. Flannel is made from cotton threads, but it has a different manufacturing process, which leads to a different texture. Regular cotton threads are smooth; however, for flannel, the cotton threads are left open-ended, which means that the threads are spun in a way that makes them look uneven and textured. This is one of the key differentiators between cotton and flannel.
According to our resident home expert Vicki Liston, producer and narrator of “On The Fly…DIY,” the softness factor comes from combing the fabric and causing heat-trapping fuzz to appear on its surface, a process called “napping.”
“If you purchase cotton flannel, ensure it has gone through a ‘double napping’ process, which means both sides of the material have been combed over for maximum coziness,” says Liston.
Beware terms like “brushed microfiber,” “combed cotton flannel” (a redundant term, says Liston, as flannel is combed by definition) and “cotton velvet flannel” — Liston warns they are simply distracting marketing buzz words hoping to grab your attention and sound superior to competitors.
There are many advantages to using flannel sheets. Primarily, the surface of the sheets helps to trap warm air and body heat, which helps keep you warm. Unlike fleece, flannel ensures that you don’t get too hot and sweaty. The material can wick excess moisture and sweat away while you sleep. Plus, the velvety feel helps provide extra comfort, enabling you to relax as you fall asleep.
One of the drawbacks of using flannel sheets is that they do age with time. Due to the brushed, fuzzy surface of the material, little round balls of thread, or “pills,” can form on the surface. This pilling can affect the soft feel of the fabric, causing it to feel rougher. Flannel sheets that are made from 100 percent cotton can also shrink after washing, so it’s best to purchase sheets that have been pre-shrunk. Sheets that are a cotton blend are less likely to pill or shrink.
DWYM Fun Fact
The history of flannel can be traced all the way back to 16th century Wales. The Welsh created a wool blend fabric that was considered a high-quality material due to the fact that it was less itchy than its predecessors. This material, similar to flannel, was first used to make winter clothing. In Portugal, flannel was used to make warm shirts for fishermen who spend many hours in the cold, salty sea. “Flannel made in Portugal has the industry-wide reputation of being the softest on the market while German-made flannel comes in as a close second,” says Liston.
Elsewhere in Europe and North America, flannel was used to make clothing for laborers and farmers who worked primarily outside, as the durability and warmth of the material made it more comfortable and useful for the workers.
During a time when indoor heat was not the norm, flannel was used to line the insides of pajamas, especially children’s, as it also provided a layer of waterproofing. Soon after, flannel was used to make blankets and sheets, because of its ability to trap in heat. Flannel was most effective used in sheets for keeping people warm in the winter months because the dual layers of the fabric, from the flat sheet and the fitted sheet, clung together to conserve body heat.
The Flannel Sheet Buying Guide
- One of the first things to note when deciding which flannel sheets to buy is the kind of material it’s made from. Flannel can be made out of 100 percent cotton or a blend. The kind of material used will affect the quality, warmth and pilling of the flannel. The Pinzon Signature Heavyweight Velvet Flannel Sheet Set, the Mellanni Cotton 4-Piece Flannel Sheets Set and the Pinzon Plaid Flannel Bed Sheet Set are all made out of 100 percent cotton.
- Unlike other bedsheets where the thread count is a determining factor for quality, flannel is measured by the number of ounces it takes to make up a square yard. A bedsheet that is marked one ounce means that is how much one square yard of the sheet weighs. The optimal weight for cotton flannel sheets is five ounces. For reference, one ounce is 28.3495 grams. By comparison, regular cotton sheets weigh three ounces. The Pinzon Signature Heavyweight Velvet Flannel Sheet Set weighs 190 grams per square meter, which means it’s a durable, heavyweight flannel fabric. The Mellanni Cotton 4-Piece Flannel Sheets Set boasts a 170-gram flannel weight, while the Pinzon Plaid Flannel Bed Sheet Set is a 160-gram flannel weight.
- When deciding on which sheets to buy, take a look at whether the sheets have been preshrunk. If you’re getting something that is 100 percent cotton, you may experience some shrinking after washing. The Mellanni Cotton 4-Piece Flannel Sheets Set has been pre-washed and will not shrink.
- Take a look at what the sheet set includes, especially if you want a matching fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcases. This way, you can be enveloped in warm, soft flannel. The Pinzon Signature Heavyweight Velvet Flannel Sheet Set, the Mellanni Cotton 4-Piece Flannel Sheets Set and the Pinzon Plaid Flannel Bed Sheet Set all include a flat sheet, fitted sheet and two pillowcases. The Bare Home Super Soft Fleece Sheet Set includes a flat sheet, fitted sheet and one pillowcase.
- Your sheets not only keep you warm in bed, they can also be used to set the mood, tone and style for the room. Shoppers for whom color and pattern are of the utmost importance should go with a flannel sheet set that offers some options. The Pinzon Signature Heavyweight Velvet Flannel Sheet Set is available in several neutral solid colors and a couple of floral patterns. The Bare Home Super Soft Fleece Sheet Set comes in both neutral and bold solid colors. The Mellanni Cotton 4-Piece Flannel Sheets Set is available in bold and neutral solid colors, as well as floral and traditional flannel patterns. The Pinzon Plaid Flannel Bed Sheet Set, on the other hand, comes in traditional flannel patterns with varying color combinations.
- To keep your flannel sheets lasting as long as possible, Liston advises washing them in cold water and avoid overheating them in the dryer. Avoid using any fabric softener or dryer sheets as these will coat the fibers and stop them from being breathable. “If the thought of not using softening agents makes you cringe, add white vinegar to your washer’s fabric softener dispenser and use dryer balls to accomplish the same thing,” says Liston. “All flannel eventually pills but by taking special care of the fabric during the washing and drying process, you’ll give your bedding a much longer life.”