The warmth and softness of fleece has made it an extremely popular sewing fabric. If you’re thinking about making sewing something with this material, you’re going to find that there are endless varieties to choose from. There are so many different types of fleece available, which can make it hard to decide which option to choose. To help you on your quest for finding the best fleece fabric, we’ve done the legwork for you and put together a list of what we consider to be the best fleece material.
Table of Contents
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Fleece fabric is known for its softness, warmth, and insulating properties, making it a popular choice for sewing projects.
- There are various types of fleece fabric available, including polar fleece, microfleece, and double-sided fleece, each with its own benefits and suitability for different projects.
- When purchasing fleece fabric, it is important to consider factors such as softness, thickness, stretch, and care instructions to ensure the fabric meets your specific needs.
Best Fleece Fabrics
| Image | Fleece Fabric | Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
1. Newcastle Fabrics Polar Fleece Solid Black Yard | 99% |
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2. Fabric Empire Heather Gray Anti Pill Solid Fleece Fabric | 96% |
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3. Newcastle Fabrics Polar Fleece Solid Sky Blue Yard | 93% |
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4. Fabric Bravo Red Anti Pill Solid Fleece Fabric | 89% |
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5. Fabric Merchants Warm Winter Fleece Solid Navy | 85% |
1. Newcastle Fabrics Polar Fleece Solid Black Yard
If you’re looking for a black fleece material, than this Newcastle Fabrics Polar Fleece Solid Black option is an excellent choice to consider. It’s made from 100 percent polyester, so it’s very durable and can be washed and dried in a machine (wash in cold water and tumble dry on low). The nap is dense for superior softness and warmth. The material is also very easy to work with, so you should be able to use quilting cutting mats to turn it into a quilting fabric without any problems (imagine how cozy it would be to cuddle up underneath a hand-stitched fleece quilt!)
The material measures 60 inches wide and it’s sold by the yard and cut to order, which means that you will be able to purchase the exact amount you need. Based on the reviews that we read, the majority of the customers who have used this fleece fabric are very pleased with it. They say that it’s soft, durable, easy to cut and sew, and that it washes very well.
What We Like About It
- Made of 100 percent polyester for exceptional durability
- Easy to work with
- Machine washable
- Thick, warm, and soft
- Sold by the yard and cut to order
- Affordably priced
Reasons to Complain
- Some users said that it felt more like felt than polar fleece
- Others said that they had some issues with pilling after a few washes
Final Verdict: For an affordable black fleece fabric, this Newcastle Fabrics Polar Fleece Solid Black Yard is a great choice. It’s durable, soft, warm, and easy to work with, and it’s very affordably priced.
Shop Now on Amazon for Fabric Check Today's Price on Amazon2. Fabric Empire Heather Gray Anti Pill Solid Fleece Fabric
Next up on our list of the best fleece fabric is an option that comes from Fabric Empire. Their Heather Gray Anti Pill Solid Fleece Fabric is made of 100 percent polyester, and as you can guess see, the color is a heather gray, which works well as a neutral. It has a 2-way stretch, which offers a little give and makes it very easy to work with. The material is sold by the yard and cut to order, and the width measures between 58 and 60 inches.
This fabric would be great for a variety of projects. For instance, you could pair it with chenille to make a super cozy and warm baby blanket, combine it with flannel to make a super warm pair of gloves, or a pair of gloves, or use it with knit fabric to make a comfortable and cozy shirt. The options are literally endless! According to the reviews that we read, most of the customers who have used this product said that it is high quality, easy to work with, and easy to care for.
What We Like About It
- Made of 100 percent
- Sold by the yard and cut to order
- 2-way stretch
- Easy to care for
- It doesn’t pill
- Easy to work with
- Affordable price
Reasons to Complain
- While it’s super warm and soft, some users said that it was a little thinner than they hoped it would be
Final Verdict: Overall, we were very impressed with this Anti Pill Solid Fleece Fabric from Fabric Empire. It has a lovely heather gray color that will lend itself well to a variety of projects, the 2-way stretch makes it easy to work with, and it really doesn’t pill!
3. Newcastle Fabrics Polar Fleece Solid Sky Blue Yard
The sky blue color of this Newcastle Fabrics Polar Fleece is just lovely and will lend itself well to so many different projects. Pair is with faux fur to make a super warm and cozy scarf or use a dress form to make a truly one-of-a-kind (and extremely warm and comfortable) dress.
This fleece fabric is made of 100 percent polyester for super durability, and it’s also easy to care for (machine wash on cold and tumble dry on a low setting). It’s 60 inches wide and sold by the yard and cut to order, so you can get exactly the amount that you need. We found that most of the customers who used this fabric had positive things to say and were generally pleased with their purchase.
What We Like About It
- It’s a lovely sky blue color
- It’s made of 100 percent polyester
- Machine washable
- Sold by the yard and cut to order
- Durable and easy to work with
Reasons to Complain
- Some users said that it was a little thinner than they would have liked it to be
Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a light blue fleece fabric, this option from Newcastle Fabrics is a great choice. The sky blue color is stunning and since it’s polar fleece, it’s very warm and soft.
Shop Now on Amazon for Fabric Check Today's Price on Amazon4. Fabric Bravo Red Anti Pill Solid Fleece Fabric
This Red Anti Pill Solid Fleece Fabric from Fabric Bravo would be a great option if you’re looking to make handmade home décor for the holidays, a holiday sweater or shirt, or a new-sew fleece blanket. You could make so many wonderful projects with this material. The red color is just striking!
This solid fleece fabric is 60 inches wide and it’s sold by the yard and cut to order, so you can order the exact amount that you need. Since it is an anti pill fleece, it washes well and will maintain its crisp look for a long time. Based on the reviews that we read, most of the people who have worked with this material said that they were very happy with it. They said that it’s easy to work with, washes well, and they were very happy with the price.
What We Like About It
- Made of 100 percent polyester
- Solid fleece
- Sold by the yard and cut to order
- 60 inches wide
- The red color is striking
- Easy to care for and work with
- Doesn’t pill
- Great price
Reasons to Complain
- Some customers said that it was cut shorter than the amount that they ordered
Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a red fleece fabric, this option from Fabric Bravo is a great choice. It’s anti pill, so it maintains its look; the material is thick and warm and is easy to care for. Plus, the price is affordable.
Last, but certainly not least, on our list of the best fleece fabrics is Fabric Merchants Warm Winter Fleece in solid navy. Like all of the other fleece materials on our list, it’s made of 100 percent polyester, so it’s super durable, easy to work with, and easy to care for. It’s sold by the yard and cut to order, and it measures 58 inches wide.
The dark navy blue color would work well for so many different projects. Use it with some upholstery fabric to add a soft and cozy dimension to your furniture, or use it with some batik quilting fabric to add another dimension to a hand-stitched quilt. Turn it into a fleece jacket by adding a zipper or make it into a sweatshirt by adding elastic to the sleeves or hem. Based on the reviews that we read, most of the people who have used this material are very happy with it. They say that it’s soft, thick, and easy to work with. Users also report that it really doesn’t pill, even after several washings.
What We Like About It
- Made of 100 percent polyester
- Sold by the yard and cut to order
- Thick and soft
- Doesn’t pill
- Easy to work with and care for
- Affordable price
Reasons to Complain
Honestly, we couldn’t’ find any! This material is very well made and is exactly what it claims to be.
Final Verdict: For a soft, durable, fleece fabric that won’t pill, this option from Fabric Merchants is a fantastic choice. It’s very thick, extremely warm, and super soft. It’s also easy to care for and work with and can be used in so many ways.
Shop Now on Amazon for Fabric Check Today's Price on AmazonThe Best Fleece Fabric: A Buyer’s Guide
Whether you’re just learning how to sew with a sewing help guide or you are a master with a sewing machine, there are some basic sewing essentials that you are going to want to have on-hand in your sewing room. Fleece fabric is just one of those things. It’s thick, soft, and has exceptional insulating properties, so it offers superior warmth; on wonder why fleece is such a popular sewing material.
If you’re going to be making a project out of fleece, you’re going to find that there are literally endless options to choose from. While having a lot of choice is a great thing, it can also make it hard to narrow down the options and determine which materials are high quality. The last thing you want to do is invest in a poor quality fleece material! To help ensure you get the best fleece fabric, we’ve put together this handy buyer’s guide. In this section, you’ll learn about some of the different types of fleece materials and the factors that you should consider when you are selecting a fleece fabric. You’ll also learn how we picked the top five fleece fabrics featured in our review.
Types of Fleece Fabric
There are so many different types of fleece on the market and it can be used in a myriad of was. Here’s a look some of the different types of material that are available:
- Polar fleece. This type of fleece is often used to make sweatshirts and cold-weather accessories, such as hats and gloves. That’s because it’s super thick, has great insulating qualities, and its texture is quite soft; however, it isn’t as soft as some of the other fleece fabrics.
- Mircofleece is best known for its moisture-wicking capabilities. It draws moisture away from the skin and it’s thin, which makes it a great option for comfortable cold weather active wear. It’s also commonly used to line cloth diapers, baby bits, blankets, and pajamas.
- Double sided fleece. If you’re looking for the ultimate softness, double sided fleece is what you’re going to want. The texture is unbelievably soft, which is why it is so often used to make luxurious blankets, baby booties, bath robes, and shirts.
These are the most popular types of fleece that you’ll find. Each one has its definite benefits and works well for particular types of projects.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing Fleece Fabric
Just like any sewing material, there are certain factors that you’re going to want to take into consideration when you’re shopping for fleece. By taking these factors into consideration, you can ensure that you will choose a material that will work for your specific needs.
- All fleece is soft; however, some types are softer than others. Make sure you consider the project that you are making when you decide on a softness.
- The thickness. You should also consider the thickness of the fleece fabric that you are working with. Some materials are thicker than others, so again, you want to consider the project that you are making when choosing a thickness. For example, a thinner microfleece would be well suited for active wear, while thicker polar fleece is a better choice for cold weather accessories.
- The stretch. You want your fleece to give a little, but not too much. If it stretches too much, it won’t maintain its shape, which can detract from the quality of the finished product you create.
- Care instructions. Lastly, make sure you consider the care instructions. Most fleece fabrics that are made of synthetic fibers, such as polyester, can be machine washed and tumbled dry; however, fleece that’s made out of natural fiber might require more delicate washing. Obviously, you aren’t going to want a hand-washable fleece if you’re making products for babies, such as diapers or bibs, so make sure you pay attention to the washing instructions.
How We Chose the Best Fleece Fabrics
There is a vast variety of fleece material on the market to choose from. With so many different fabrics, how did we narrow down the options and select just five? We consulted with sewing experts that have been working with fleece for many years and have used it to create all types of items. Together, we assessed the qualities of different fleece materials and considered the most important factors to take into consideration when selecting this type of material. We also read through customer reviews to see what the majority of people had to say about each option. Based on all of the information that we collected, we narrowed down the options to the five that are featured in this review. Each one is exceptionally well made, durable, and easy to care for and work with.
Fleece Fabric Review Conclusion
Fleece fabric is a must-have that any seamstress should have on-hand. Whether you choose one of the materials featured in our review or you go a different route, you’re going to love working with this material. There are so many different things that you can make with this soft, warm, cuddly material. Given the outstanding properties of this fabric, it’s no wonder why it’s such a popular choice.
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