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Check out these handy tips for creating and caring for
your fabulous fleece projects:
Laundering | Pattern
Select, Layout, &
Reducing Bulk | Which Side is the Right
Side?
| Needles & Stitches | Zippers
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Machine wash fleece garments and other fleece
items in cool to moderately warm water and air dry or machine dry, warm
setting. If
you have not purchased anti-pill fabric, turn garments wrong side out when
laundering to reduce pilling. Fleece is heat sensitive, so hot dyer
temperatures and ironing should be avoided to reduce pilling. If you must
iron your fleece project, test for scorching on some scraps first. While
ironing your fleece garment, ensure that the iron does not get too hot and
use a press cloth if needed.
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When selecting a pattern for a fleece garment, choose loose fitting
styles with simple lines and few details.
Since fleece is a pile fabric,
you should cut out your pattern using the "with nap" layout.
Also, when choosing a pattern you should keep in mind that extra layers,
such as facings, will add bulk.
You can reduce bulk by slashing darts and
pressing them open. Another way to reduce bulk is to trim seam allowances
to 6mm.
While seam finishes are not necessary, you can zigzag
seam allowances together or topstitch to reduce bulk.
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The right side of your fleece fabric can be the one you like best. But
if you want to use the true right side of the fabric, it is the one that
the selvage naturally rolls towards when lightly stretched.
To easily identify the right
side when sewing, mark the wrong side of the fabric with chalk or marking
pencils.
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Select a needle size that is appropriate for the weight of your fleece
fabric. A Universal 11(80) needle is appropriate for sewing most
types of fleece. Always use a new needle when beginning a project to
prevent skip stitching.
If you find your hems or seams are wavy, your stitch length may be too
short. A medium to long stitch or zigzag stitch length
(2.5 – 4mm) and a loosely balance tension work best when sewing with
fleece. Lessening the presser foot pressure; an even-feed sewing machine foot or holding your fabric tight
(without over stretching) in
both front and back will prevent underlaying creep while you are sewing.
Also, if you are serging your garment’s seams, build in stretch by using
four-thread overlock. Stay-stitching around neckline and armhole openings to
prevent stretching at neckline or armholes.
Using a blanket stitch, cutting in a fringe, or
wave/pinking blade on a rotary cutter are all excellent ways to finish
seams or edges. |
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Fringe
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Blanket Stitch
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Pinked
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Bumpy zippers can be a problem when sewing fleece garments, so stabilize
zipper openings. With the wrong side up, apply a 2.5cm (1 inch) strip
of fusible interfacing to the edges of the opening before the zipper is
stitched. Presto! No more bumpy zippers! Remember: use low temperature
interfacing, as fleece is heat sensitive.
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