FLANNELETTE  , a

cotton cloth made to imitate flannel . The word seems to have been first used in the early 'eighties, and there is a reference in the Daily News of 1887 to " a poverty-stricken article called flannelette." Now it is used very extensively for underclothing, night gear, dresses, dressing-gowns, shirts, &c . It is usually made with a much coarser weft than warp, and its flannel-like appearance is obtained by the wising or scratching up of this weft, and by various finishing processes . Some kinds are raised equally on both sides, and the nap may be long or short according to the purpose for which the cloth is required . A considerable trade is done in plain cloths dyed, and also in woven coloured stripes and checks, but almost any heavy or coarse cotton cloth can be made into flannelette . It is now largely used by the poorer classes of the community, and the flimsier kinds have been a frequent source of accident by fire . It is, however, when used discreetly and in a fair quality, a cheap and useful article . A flannelette, patented under the title of " Non-flam," has been made with fire-resisting properties, but its sale has been more in the better qualities than in the lower and more dangerous ones . Flannelette is made largely on the continent of Europe, and in the United States as well as in Great Britain .