Flannel sheets have always been considered a luxury back in the olden days. Today however, deep pocket flannel sheets are widespread so it has become quite common. Flannels are a popular kind of fabric for sewing into clothing, sheets, pillowcases and etcetera. Although sewing deep pocket flannel sheets may be more challenging than most people think. Flannels have their own special characteristics that make sewing difficult. If you’re thinking of making your own deep pocket flannel sheets, it is essential to first learn how to sew using flannel. Once you’ve gotten the hang of the basics on flannel sewing, you can easily sew anything from flannel shirts to nightgowns and eventually to your deep pocket flannel sheets.
Before beginning to use your needles, you should pre-treat your flannel fabric. Flannel tends to shrink more than your typical cotton fabric. Wash the fabric in hot water and dry it using the hottest setting. In some instances, repeating this step can bring better results. Before cutting the fabric, starch or size it first. Be careful when cutting it as flannel tends to fray easily because it is woven loosely so using starch or sizing spray can help make crisper cuts. Bring in a lot of new needles when working with flannel because it can easily dull your needles. Use a new needle when doing this project and throw it out when it is already dull. If it is still useable, you can continue using it for your other flannel projects. Remember to never use it for other kinds of fabric as a dull needle will most likely tear them apart. If you plan on using a machine, clean it constantly while and after using because threads from the fabric breaks off easily during the entire process. You will surely end up with a huge ball of lint after you’re done so remove all of these to keep your machine in good condition. Try to put in more allowances on seams because it frays easily. Instead of using ¼ inches for seam allowance, try using ½ inches to create stronger seams. Keep the patterns on your deep pocket flannel sheets simple since the fabric will stretch and warp more than normal. Keep the pieces as square as possible and cut along the grain of the fabric that is parallel to the selvage whenever possible.
It may take some time for you to learn this but when you do get the hang of it, you can surely make beautiful deep pocket flannel sheets every time. Another good thing about this is that you can easily repair your sheets when they get damaged.