Fleece Facts & Fun Fleece Fabric - Buy Discount Fleece Fabric Prints including Polar Fleece Fabric by the Yard

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Fleece weights:

At The Fleece Lady, we refer to fabric weight in grams. The higher the gram number, the heavier the fabric is and the more it weighs per yard. One gram weighs .0353 ounces. There are approx. 450 grams per pound.

The most common fleece produced by all manufacturers is medium weight. Typically referred to as "blanket weight."

Solid and print fleece on our website weigh between 320-380 grams (medium weight) unless specifically noted.

FLEECE TYPE

AKA

GRAMS PER YARD

OUNCES

lightweight/microfleece

100

200-240

7 TO 8.5

medium/regular weight

200

320-380

11 TO 13.5

heavy weight

300

400 & OVER

14 TO 17

Solid and print fleece on our website weigh between 320-380 grams (medium weight) unless specifically noted.

Features of fleece:

Provides warmth without weight

Soft to the touch

Will not shrink, ravel or run

Water-resistant

Moisture wicking properties

Easy to work with

Fleece is made from polyester, and is part of the stretch knit family of fabrics. Twisted yarns are knitted into fabric. Then a series of wire brushes rough up the surface and create the nap. Finally, the fabric is sheared.

Which is the right side?

This is very easy to tell on fleece with a plush velour finish, brushed on wrong side and sheared on the right side, and fleece with printed words. But what about the rest of the fleece fabrics?

Fleece is a knitted fabric, and has webbing on the non-cut edge called a “selvage.” If you unroll the selvage, you will be looking at the right side, or face of the fabric. Now, pull along both selvages. The fabric will curl to the right side. Fleece is stretchier in one direction more than the other. If you stretch from the cut side to the other cut side, there will be more stretch. This is also known as the crossgrain, and the fleece will curl to the wrong side.

Different fleece finishes:

Brushed finish: Most print fleece fabrics have a surface similar to felt. It seems reasonably flat and smooth. This is referred to as a brushed finish and is the most common finish on fleece. The design is visible on both sides; however there is a definite right side and wrong side. (see above explanation)

Velour/premium finish: The design on the right side ("face") of the fleece is visibly crisper and clearer than the wrong side. The face is most always antipill as characterized by the plush sheared, short, nubby texture. Typically heavier in gram weight and more costly than brushed finish fleece.

Microfleece: Though a type of fleece, microfleece is known for its chamois-like feel. Its buttery and soft texture make it a favorite for under garments, and diaper liners.

Berber: Short curled fibers with a nubby appearance. One sided with a flat knit backing. Commonly used for pillows and throws.

Sherpa: A bumpy, curly texture which simulates lamb’s wool. One sided with a flat knit backing. Commonly used for pet beds and jacket linings.

Did you know polarfleece* is a trademark name, not a product? Just like most people refer to window cleaner as Windex, it is a trademarked name. Yet people seem to use Windex to generically refer to any type of window cleaner. The term polar fleece has become the generic equivalent for fleece.

Anti-pill… is it important?

Bet you didn’t know all fabrics pill. It’s just more visible on fabrics with a nap. So why all the debate? When the fabric rubs against itself, it creates little balls of fiber on the fabric. This is called “pilling.”

The fleeces of yesteryear were notorious for unattractive little balls clinging everywhere. Remember having a fuzz buster?

Recent achievements in technology have produced a more pill-resistant fleece than just 5 years ago. Fleece is a synthetic fiber and is more likely to pill than a natural fabric such as cotton. Brushed fleece will probably pill more than an antipill fleece.

Bottom line: If you’re creating an heirloom, invest in the more expensive premium velour antipill fleece. Otherwise, most agree regular brushed fleece is just fine. Here at The Fleece Lady we offer a wide array of choices so you can choose the fleece that is appropriate for your project. (The Fleece Lady is partial to the premium velour fleece since it has a nice crisp design.)

Sewing with fleece:

Just like sweatshirt fabric or stretch kits, longer stitches work best. 7-9 stitches per inch (3mm – 3.5mm) is suggested. Still puckering? Lessen your presser foot setting. Or try a walking foot or roller foot. These also may eliminate layer shifting.

Always use the "with nap" yardage requirements on the pattern envelope for your fleece projects.

Needle recommendations for 2 layers of fleece:

Lightweight (microfleece) 70/10 or 75/11

Regular weight 80/12 or 90/14

Fleece is a knitted fabric, so use a universal, ballpoint or stretch needle.

Laundry tips for fleece:

NO...NO…NO….

Fabric softener or dryer sheets when laundering (diminishes the water-repellant properties)

Bleach

Ironing

Wash in warm water with other fleece items; not harsh surface items such as towels, or jeans.

. *Polarfleece is a trademark of Malden Mills.

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Phone: 909-223-FLEECE ▪ 909-223-3533
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