No matter what season we may be in, dressmaking enthusiasts are always on the lookout for high quality fleece fabric so they can design the cosiest garments. With the weather being so unpredictable in the UK, you may be looking to create sweatshirts, jackets, hats or even jogging bottoms, all of which will come in handy throughout the year.
Here at Fabrics Galore, we have a wide range of fleece fabrics available for you to purchase, but the variant you should work with is dependent on the intended garment and finish you are looking to achieve. Therefore, we have put together this guide to help you understand the various fleece fabrics and how they can best be used.
What is fleece fabric?
Shop for high quality anti-pil fleece fabric
Generally fleece is made from polyester but can also be made with a variety of different materials; fleece fabric is soft and lightweight as well as incredibly effective at trapping body heat and sustaining the temperature of the wearer. No matter which fleece fabric you choose, fleece is always soft and is an inexpensive alternative to wool, so it is the best value fabric choice when it comes to making warmer clothes. It is an incredibly versatile and popular fabric, especially in the outdoor garment industry, due to its ability to keep people warm, even when wet.
- Warm
As we have already touched upon, fleece is an excellent choice as an insulating fabric, and is generally worn in colder environments. Due to its various layers of cut fibres on both sides, fleece fabric has the ability to trap air which is a key aspect of retaining heat.
- Lightweight
As much as wool fabric is naturally very warm and great for colder weather, if you are looking for a lighter option it is often not the best choice. However, fleece fabric is more lightweight and most importantly, comfortable, as it is so soft to the touch.
- Hydrophobic
Fleece fabric is hydrophobic, which is one of the most sought-after properties in a fabric, as it means its threads cannot absorb water. It’s ideal to use in damp situations, which is why it is so popular in the outdoor industry. It also dries very quickly, so even if you do get soaked, you can get back to being warm and dry pretty quickly.
What are the different types of fleece fabric?
This is the most common type of fleece we stock here at Fabrics Galore, which is perfect for a wide variety of dressmaking projects. With a two-sided pile, polar fleece is extremely durable and does not pill when worn frequently. This is where the fibres of the yarns begin to loosen under repetitive, continuous actions - such as friction and washing. The polar fleece fabrics we have available are sometimes even made from recycled plastic bottles, a perfect sustainable option which is durable and soft at the same time.
Double sided and very soft, polyester fleece fabric is very similar to polar fleece, as it also doesn’t pill. With a deep pile, the insulation quality of this material is excellent and incorporates the use of napping to create a fluffed surface. It first became popular for outdoor use in the early 1990s, as it is a much lighter and warmer material than wool. As a remarkably comfortable and adaptable fabric, polyester fleece is not going away soon.
Micro fleece is the thinnest and the most flexible variant of fleece fabric available, being generally softer than polar fleece. As it is so pleasant to touch, it is often a common choice of material for children’s clothes and a great choice for layering under a waterproof jacket, as its soft and plush texture won't scratch the delicate skin surface. With strong synthetic fibres, if you decide to work with micro fleece in your dressmaking project this will result in a lasting, ready-to-wear garment that’s easy to care for.
Browse our collection of high quality fleece fabric
Would you like to purchase fleece fabric?With an array of colours for you to choose from, here at Fabrics Galore, you can purchase high quality fleece fabrics to help you complete that certain cosy sewing project you have in mind. Our fleece fabric is also constructed in a way that won’t pill and form little balls on the fabric the way other synthetics will, so you know this is a high quality fleece fabric. To learn more about how we can help you, please call us on 020 7738 9589, and we would be happy to assist.
