How to Sew Fleece - Tips & Tricks for Sewing with Fleece

Sewing with fleece can be fun, easy and enjoyable. One of the biggest perks of using fleece is that the edges of the fabric don't fray so you don't have to worry about finishing seams. Not only that, but because most fleece garments are a bit over sized, fit is not as big of an issue as with other less forgiving styles of clothing and types of fabrics.

Even though sewing with fleece is easy, there are some things you can do to improve your finished results and make sure that your garments or items last a long time. Here are some tips and tricks for sewing with fleece to get your started.

Increase the Length of Your Stitches

One of the most common mistakes that people make when sewing fleece is using a stitch length that is too short. Because of the way fleece is designed, short stitches can pull through the fabric. Simply increasing the length of your stitches can easily solve this problem and make your finished pieces much sturdier and more durable.

Know Your Right Side from Your Wrong Side

As surprising as it may be, fleece has a right side and wrong side. It can be confusing working with fleece since the pattern appears the same on both sides of the fabric. To tell the right side from the wrong side a good general rule of thumb to follow is that most fleece tends to curl toward the wrong side. Matching up your right and wrong sides will result in better quality finished pieces.

Clean Your Machine

Sewing with fleece leaves behind lots of leftover fuzz. Be sure to clean out your sewing machine regularly if you are doing a lot of fleece projects to keep it running smoothly and prevent problems.

Skip the Heat

Fleece doesn't respond well to heat so it is a good idea to keep it cool. Always dry fleece on low heat settings in your dryer and don't use an iron or you could risk melting the fabric.

Strengthen Closures

If you are adding closures such as zippers, snaps or buttons to your fleece garment you will want to use non-fusible interfacing to help make these areas sturdier and to keep the fleece from pulling or stretching.

Fleece is highly versatile and works well for both crafts and garments. With a little bit of creativity the sky is the limit when it comes to the pieces you can make. These tips for sewing with fleece should have you well on your way to creating beautiful, long lasting items that you can show off with pride.