Currently, a huge amount of modern materials is used for sewing clothes and home textiles. In all this diversity, fleece is not the last place. Although it is synthetic, but it is a very high-quality material, possessing, in comparison with others, many indisputable advantages. How it differs from others, what happens and what its advantages are - this will be discussed in our article.
What is fleece fabric
The name of this material was formed on the basis of the English word “fleece”, which means “sheep’s wool, fleece”. This circumstance can easily be misleading regarding its structure. Therefore, we immediately note that the fleece fabric does not contain either sheep or any other natural wool. Typically, this material is made from unstructured polyester, in which sometimes a small amount of other synthetic is added. Fleece fabric differs from others in the feature of its weaving: the base and pile in it are combined into one whole. Often, lycra fibers are added to it to improve quality. Depending on its thickness, fleece fabric (photo below) is divided into thin, as well as low and medium density.
In addition, this material is one- and two-sided. In the latter case, the upper layer is designed to protect from wind, and the inner layer to create comfortable heat. Also worth mentioning is a fleece called "wind block". It consists of two layers of medium density, between which there is a special membrane for protection from the wind.
Fleece benefits
Products from this type of fabric are distinguished by their durability, lightness and softness. This rather pleasant to the touch material perfectly keeps heat. In this regard, he may well compete with wool. Fleece fabric is famous for its excellent breathability (816 dm 3 / m 2 * C) and high hygroscopicity (0.8%). This means that things from it allow the body to "breathe" and at the same time almost do not absorb moisture. Despite the fact that fleece fabric is a synthetic material, it does not cause allergic reactions or skin irritations. Therefore, children's things are often made from it. Due to its ability to save heat even when wet, this material is often used for sewing all kinds of outerwear (ski jackets, sweaters, sweatshirts), scarves, hats, suits and toys for pets, rugs and blankets, and it is also used as insulation for winter clothes. If you add that this fabric dries very quickly, does not fade, and transfers machine wash perfectly, it becomes clear why its popularity in the textile market has recently grown so much.
How much does fleece fabric cost?
The price of this material largely depends on the characteristics of tailoring, density, brand, country of manufacture. The most famous brand of this type of fabric is Malden Mills Polartec. It is interesting that the fleece was invented by specialists of this particular company (1979), for which they received the Nobel Prize. In addition to the United States, the production of this fabric is highly developed in Canada and Germany. But back to the cost. In online stores, the price ranges from 100 to 500 rubles per linear meter. The average cost is about 250-300 rubles / linear meter.