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Top Tips For Sewing With FleeceFleece is one of the most versatile and common fabrics in the market nowadays. If you are about to sew your first fleece project, you are in for a lot of fun.If you know how to sew this type of fabric, you can sew fleece on the best entry level sewing machine, just read the tips I share here carefully and you will be fine.Great Benefits Of Fleece FabricsIf you need to make something soft but long-lasting, fleece is the best choice. It comes in a large number of varieties which in turn can be made into a lot of designs. It looks good on garments as well as home décor and toys.It started with only one practical application, a fabric for harsh conditions. However, now it has evolved and become more versatile and widely available. You may find blankets or hats made by fleece and they are absolutely gorgeous. Fleece is constructed in a way that helps it avoids balls, pills, fraying, and unraveling.Polar fleece looks the same on both sides. It does not keep moisture but it traps warmth in well. All of these good benefits make it the ideal material for outdoor garments, a good substitute for wool. The reason for these benefits is the way fleece is woven creates air pockets that act as warmth keepers.Fleece is light-weight and its ability to keep warmth make it a good choice when you go camping or do other outdoor activities.Overall Sewing fleece is easier than you think if you know the proper techniques.If silk, cotton, or linen have been around for centuries, fleece is a relatively new invention. It was launched in 1979 and after 40 years, it has become one of the most common choices for garments and crafts.Fleece is a synthetic fabric. It is made entirely from polyester fibers. It is cheaper than many other fabrics with similar properties and the fact that it is easy to wash and care for. Fleece can be machine washed and the best part is, it is wrinkle resistant.If you have made up your mind about making a fleece project, here are something you should remember:Mind The “With Nap” YardageBecause fleece is not woven so there is no real grain to see. However, its appearance does move in a certain direction. You can consider that the “nap” to follow.When you have determined this direction, remember to cut the pattern with the “nap” in mind. If you forget this and some pieces do not have the same “grain”, your project will look a little bit weird.If you want to know what is the best sewing machine to buy for a beginner, read this article on How To Find The Best First Sewing Machine And Easy Sewing Machine For Beginners for more information.Adjust The Machine TensionFleece can be bulky and stretchy so you may have to face some challenges when you create the seams. The most pressing issue is shifting. You can try to lower the tension of the presser foot or the machine.Many machines, even the basic models, let you change the tension in the way you want.The Proper Thread And Stitch LengthThe thread you want to use is the polyester variety and increase the stitch length to about 3mm to 5mm.Straight stitches can work for most parts of fleece garments but for spots that you project will have to put up with more force, you might want to switch to zigzag stitches; for example, the armholes or the part around the knees.Fleece Has Two Different Side Except for polar fleece, fleece has a wrong side and a right side. If you have located the cross grain, try pulling a little bit when the right side is facing up and you will see it curls to the other side.You Do Not Have To Finish The EdgeFleece does not fray no matter what you do with the piece of fabric so you do not have to finish the raw edge.Sometimes finishing makes the piece looks better so feel free to do either thing. It is more the matter of preference.Fleece Does StretchIt may not look like it but fleece does stretch along the cross-grain. Mind this when you choose the design and sew.The good news is you can easily ease the seams but it is prone to stretching in places like the neckline, so remember to sew stay stitch in these spots.Bulk Happens So Find Ways To Avoid ThisFleece can be bulky so before you sew or even cut the patterns out, find a way to eliminate this first. What I usually do is to use lining material.Fleece Can Be A Challenge For Scissors And NeedleFleece calls for special needles. The best choice is ballpoint variety or microtex. If you see fibers start accumulating on the scissors, clean the blades with alcohol.Cleaning The MachineFleece lets out quite a lot of fibers so when you are done, you may have a lot of cleaning work to do. Make sure you clean the machine, the tools you use and your working corner after every project.The Best Choice For Finishing The EdgeFleece does not fray so it is not necessary to finish its edges. However, sometimes this step is required and when it does, here are some good options. Edges done by serger: fleece can be bulky and serger can reduce bulk. Zigzag stitches or pinking are good too.Secure HemsIf you need seam containment and further secure the hems, try pressing the piece. What you want to use is a warm iron and it will not keep crease.The Best Seams To UseThe seams I recommend using are lapped seams, topstitch, and faux flat fell seams. All of these stitches can help make bulk manageable. The best part is, all of these seams can be made with a best starter sewing machine. If you do not know what options you have, see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21_gr1YZBGk where you can find the top rated models worth buying.