letsgosew.com
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up for Sewing News, Freebies, & Updates
  • Order Just Jackets Embroidery Collection
  • Just Jackets FAQ
  • Order Wrapped in Embroidery Book by Joanne Banko
  • Joanne Banko's Blog
  • It's Sew Easy TV Online Blog
  • Machine Embroidery Survey
  • IT'S SEW EASY TV Videos & Bonus Files
    • NEW! It's Sew Easy TV Series 2100
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 2000
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 1500
    • It's Sew Easy TV - Series 1600
    • It's Sew Easy TV_Series 1700
    • It's Sew Easy TV Series 1800
    • It's Sew Easy TV Series 1900
    • NEW! Superstar Sewing Stitches
    • NEW! Classy Textured Cape
    • NEW! Baby Bath Wrap
    • NEW! Detachable Collar
    • Sew a Swimsuit
    • Machine Embroidered Garments
    • Kimono Blouses
    • Custom Covered Hangers
    • Sewing Beautiful Belts
    • Felted Flower Hat Trim
    • Sew a Waffle Weave Robe
    • Learn about Couching accessories!
    • Turn a Pashmina into a Trendy Topper
    • Machine Embroidered Reverse Applique
    • Machine Embroidered Knit Dress
    • Use Non-Stick Foot to sew a Custom Luggage Tag
    • Serge & Sew Broomstick Skirt
    • Machine Embroidered Western Jacket
    • Machine Embroidered Bobbin Work Pashmina
    • Embroidered Pajamas
    • Sewing Pearls and Sequins
    • Learn how to use the Fringe Foot
    • Quilted Pinwheel Patchwork Tote
    • Machine Embroidered Lace for Lingerie
    • Sewing Circles with a Circular Attachment
    • Sew with the Edge Joining Foot
    • Re-style Tops for Little Girls
    • Short Style Tip- Blouse Embellishment
    • Learn how to make pretty piping using the Piping Foot
    • Embellish with the Three Slot Cording Foot
    • Facebook Live Interview 12-4-2018
    • Machine Embroidery - Starter Tips
  • FREE Tutorials and Tip Sheets
    • NEW! Embroidery Placement Positioning Tips
    • Free Embroidered Snowflake Coasters
    • Tip sheet - 5 Reasons Quilters Need A Serger
    • Free In-the-Hoop Patch Pocket Design
    • Serging versus Sewing
    • FREE Project-Embroidered Gift Tag with Gift Bag
    • Tip Sheet - Pillow Pointers
    • Tip sheet_Sew Straight Laser for Seams
    • Embelishment Tips from dime V.111
    • Tip sheet - Shannon Embrace Double Gauze
    • Tip sheet - Fun with Fonts
    • Fabric Tip Sheet- Sewing Faux Suede
    • Tip sheet for Sewing & Embroidering with Metallic Thread
    • Fleece Ruana Pattern: As seen on PBS It's Sew Easy TV
    • Fabric Tip Sheet - Crepe Back Satin
    • Fabric Tip Sheet-Sewing Slinky Type Knit
    • Fabric Tip Sheet - Fleece
    • Fancy Footwork Tipsheet - About the Walking Foot
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet_Basic Appliqué
    • Fancy Footwork Tip sheet - Ruffler Attachment
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet - Narrow Hems with a Standard Foot
    • Fancy Footwork Tip Sheet - Non Stick Foot
    • Tip sheet - Machine Embroidery Pattern Connection Resources
    • Tip Sheet - Machine Set up for Shirring
    • Tip sheet - Snowman and Target Markers
    • Tip Sheet for Printing on Fabric
    • Tip sheet-Five Ways to Finish Fleece Blankets
    • T-Shirt Transformation Tutorial
    • Project- Serge a Little Girl's Sweet Summer Dress
    • Tip Sheet for Fleece Frame Shape Appliqué
    • Tip Sheet - Bobbin Work Sewing & Embroidery
    • Tip Sheet - Custom Covered Buttons
    • Tip Sheet - Liquid Stabilizers
    • Tip sheet - Appliqué with Brother XV8500D & ScanNCut
    • Project - Sheer Chiffon Wrap
    • Project - Pearl Trimmed Candle Ring
    • Tip Sheet -Mitered Satin Blanket Binding
    • Fabric Tip Sheet_Knit Know How
    • Tool School Tip Sheets
    • ITH Project Planner
  • As seen in DiME Magazine - Photo Gallery
  • Sewing and Embroidery Events
  • About Joanne Banko
  • What's New? Let's Get Creative Club Meetings
  • November Pinecone Project

Warm, Wonderful, Wearable Fleece

1/28/2014

5 Comments

 
Picture
Featured Fabric - All About Polar Type Fleece

It’s time to feature yet another great fabric. Today, let’s talk fleece. This is a rather long post, written on one of the coldest days of the year in my home town. So, grab a cup of something hot and enjoy a fabric foray into the warm and fuzzy world of fleece.

Yes, it’s true you see fabric called fleece everywhere. Commonly called “polar type” fleece, you may have already created something from this versatile, functional fabric. Visit your local big box fabric store and you will likely see mountains of fleece fabric. The popularity of fleece has grown over the years and I don’t see this stopping anytime soon. Because this is considered a ravel proof fabric, we even see non-sewing enthusiasts enthusiastically purchasing two coordinates of this fabric and finishing the edges by simply snipping slits along each side, and then tying knots for a fluffy fringed look. The availability of fun prints and licensed collegiate styles has really boosted sales of fleece. Its appeal spans the generations as all age categories love to cuddle under cozy, comfortable fleece. From simple blankets to stylish garments, fleece is a modern day wonder fabric suitable for many home sewn projects.

My first glimpse of what I now call “genuine fleece” occurred about the same time that machine embroidery became popular in the home sewing market. I fondly recall a visit to the great Northwest in 1996. I haven’t done any extensive investigation but it seems to me the popularity of fleece started in that neck of the woods. I remember visiting a well known, large fabric shop where I saw a room stacked high with a virtual mountain of fleece fabric. In fact, I was so astonished I had to take a picture to show my sewing friends back home.
Picture
You see, at that time fleece was scarcely available in any fabric store in my locality. After returning home I researched a bit and found a mail order source for fleece direct from the factory. That source was Malden Mills, now known as Polartec®LLC. I promptly ordered a swatch set. I put together a class shortly thereafter and ordered fleece for myself and each of my students. We each carefully selected from those colorful swatches and happily made half zip pullovers from a unique specialty pattern produced by Jinni Nastiuk. I still wear my wonderful fleece creation; although I later modified it from a half zip to full zip front. 
Picture
Picture
As often happens, practicality meets fashion, sports enthusiasts and city dwellers alike adopted this fabric as fashionable favorite. Of course today we are used to seeing fleece everywhere, not only in ready-to-wear, but in all the big box fabric stores. There are many weights, varieties, and brands of fleece fabric. You may have your own particular favorite.

For my Warm and Wearable Fleece Wrap, in the book Wrapped in Embroidery, I chose to use what I call the real McCoy, genuine Polartec® fleece. This warm, cozy, and classy looking wrap is made from Polartec® Classic 200 double velour fleece. Specifically, I used sable brown Polartec® Classic 200 double velour fleece.

In my opinion there really is nothing like the “real thing” when it comes to fleece fabric. This may be available to you in a brick and mortar fabric shop and I always suggest shopping local first. However, if you cannot purchase locally you can purchase directly from the manufacturer. Mill Yardage™ LLC is Malden Mills home sewing supplier of yard goods for the home sewing market.
Picture
This fabric is proudly made in America with Malden Mills rich history and reputation. 
Picture
There is so much to love about this fabric. It is super easy to care for, lends itself to styles that range from casual to almost couture, and comes in a beautiful range of colors. Fleece is a fabric that both new and seasoned sewing enthusiasts can appreciate. In my opinion, when you compare genuine fleece side by side with mass market imported fleece you will see and feel the difference immediately. Yes, the cost of the genuine Polartec® fleece is more than what you will find in the chain stores. However, as a sewing enthusiast you have the opportunity to sew something that will stand the test of time, and stay beautiful for many years to come. I have never seen any of my Polartec® pieces pill or fade. Most often, when I sew a garment I want to keep it and enjoy it for a long time. That’s why I prefer the real McCoy, genuine Polartec® fleece.

Embroidery on this fabric is easy but it is important to use designs that do not sink into the nap of the fabric. The satin stitch style motifs you see on my Warm and Wearable Fleece Wrap were designed to be the perfect match for this fleece.
Picture
I encourage you to try making something yourself using "genuine fleece." It's likely you'll be convinced as I was that there is no better choice when it comes to choosing fleece fabric.

Sewing is not time consuming or difficult on this fabric although I would beg to differ with those who say fleece is easy to sew. Of course anything is easy when you know how! You just need to know a few tricks for handling this type of fabric. You can visit my Tips and Techniques page to download a Free Fleece Tip sheet. This tip sheet will help you learn more about sewing and embroidering on fleece. Click on the link below:

FREE Fleece Tip Sheet
5 Comments
JUNE OLBERDING
2/4/2014 12:49:13

Everything looks great! Love all the info!

Reply
Charmaine Wall link
4/28/2018 12:09:57

Could I have the measurements of the fleece and particulars for finding and cutting out the neck area? I want to make this wrap without the embroidery, but I can't seem to find that information, as you stated, on this website. Thank you. PS Love your show.

Reply
Joanne Banko link
4/28/2018 18:12:03

Hi Charmaine!
Thanks for writing a comment here. It's nice to know you like watching the show too!

If you click on the link for the FREE Fleece Tip Sheet you will find general tips for sewing and embroidery fleece. If you are asking about the "pattern" for brown wrap shown in this blog then I will tell you that all of the instructions and measurements for making this wrap are included in the Wrapped in Embroidery book. They are more detailed than I can describe here and include instructions for neckline and pocket templates, actual dimensions for the front and back of the wrap, instructions for the binding, and instructions for the loop closure, in addition to the embroidery instructions and embroidery designs of course.

I do understand your desire to make this without embroidery and it would be quite beautiful. If you saw It's Sew Easy TV show 1311 you saw this brown wrap on a dress form. I did write complete instructions for the grey wrap shown on the show. Here is the link for that information: https://www.letsgosew.com/fleece-ruana-pattern-as-seen-on-pbs-its-sew-easy-tv.html

I hope this helps! Let me know if I can answer any more questions for you.

Reply
Heather
2/20/2019 22:05:40

Hi Joanne, I loved your printable fleece tips. Also, based on your recommendation of the company I purchased a 10 pound box of "misc" fleece from Mill Yardage. (I don't know of any local shops that sell real fleece). Every one of the pieces is scrumptious!!! :)

Reply
Joanne Banko
2/20/2019 22:21:05

Hi Heather! I'm so glad you found the blog and liked the tips. This one is an oldie but a goodie! Here it is 2019 and would you believe I just finished another fleece project made from Mill yardage fleece?!? It is so superior and so scrumptious, just like you said :-) Have fun sewing beautiful items with your own fleece treasures!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author:

    Joanne Banko
    Brother Ambassador


    I'd love to stay in touch with you!

    Click Here
    and Sign up for
    ​Sewing News, plus tips, tricks, and notifications about new blog posts.

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014

    *As a believer in full disclosure, I'd like you to know that Blog posts may contain affiliate links for products and services I know and trust. Purchasing items through a link marked * results in a small commission for me, with no extra charges for you.

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

© Copyright 2022 by Joanne Banko. All rights Reserved