Fleece is called an artificial analogue of sheepskin. It is a dense, lightweight, soft fabric made from a polyester knit fabric. Fleece clothes are warm, practical and beautiful. Its advantages and disadvantages are described in the article.
History
The word Fleece translated from English means "sheep skin". In the late 1970s. the American company Malden Mills began to engage in scientific development to create modern material. According to the project, the fabric should have the advantages of natural fabrics and at the same time be inexpensive, affordable for everyone.
In 1979, material was created, which was called fleece. Only this type of knitwear was synthetic, and the raw material for its manufacture was primary or recycled plastic. The properties and characteristics of the new material turned out to be excellent. For a long time it was believed that synthetic fabrics can not become better than natural. But the creation of fleece was a breakthrough in advanced technology. For the manufacture of a new type of fabric, the creators were awarded the Nobel Prize. Due to its properties, fleece is in demand all over the world.
Features and Production
The main features of fleece clothing include practicality, ease of care, versatility. Its qualities are associated with the material from which things are created, as well as with technology. The raw material used is synthetic fiber polyester.
Often used secondary raw materials - plastic waste (bottles or film). The material is processed depending on what it will be used for. Judging by the reviews, the fabric is practical, it is loved by adults and children.
Manufacture and properties
Fleece is a nonwoven fabric. A dense knitted fabric is obtained from synthetic fibers, which is subjected to heat treatment. After this, the fleece is created with its properties. A special machine, in which there are rollers with small hooks, raise small loops from the canvas without violating the integrity.
This creates a fluffy fleece from the thin fibers of polyester, in which there are many breathable pores. Fleece is treated to reduce flammability. Thanks to different compositions, the material acquires the necessary qualities. So that the pellets do not appear on the surface and consumer properties are not lost, anti-peeling treatment is needed. Such fleece clothes will be of high quality and beautiful for a long time. According to reviews, things with proper care are worn for many years.
Varieties
There are many types of fabric, they differ in various parameters. The density of the material is set in grams per 1 square. m:
- Polarflis - 100-200 g / sq. m is thin. Used for sewing thermal underwear, leggings, light sweatshirts.
- The average density is 200-300. It is used in the manufacture of children's clothing, socks, gloves and hats.
- Thick fabric - 300-400. Suitable for plaids, bedspreads, winter clothes.
- Superdense fleece - 400-600. Use for tourist equipment.
Before fleece clothing is obtained , the material is subjected to the following treatments:
- Anti-peeling.
- Water repellent.
- Reduces flammability of the material.
- Antistatic.
According to reviews, fleece clothing for children and adults is great for winter, as it warms perfectly. Moreover, various things are sewn from fabric - jackets, hats, scarves, sweaters, suits, bathrobes, home sets. In such clothes it is comfortable on the street and indoors.
Composition
To improve the properties of the material, the following components are added:
- Lycra - wear resistance.
- Spandex - elasticity.
- Bipolarflis, with 2 layers - warming and water-repellent.
- Windblock, with a membrane layer, which has windproof properties.
The material differs in the way of coloring. It happens one-colored (monophonic) or with prints. Drawings are camouflage, for children and for home textiles. To create fleece clothing for men and women, there are suitable colors.
There is another division of tissue - one-sided or two-sided. From the first they create linen, shirts, and the second serves to obtain warm demi-season or winter clothes. The characteristics of the material include the following:
- Ease.
- Elasticity.
- Practicality.
- Thermal insulation.
- Aeration.
- Hypoallergenicity.
Thanks to these qualities, the fabric is used in the manufacture of children's clothing. According to the reviews of mothers, the children love her because she is pleasant to the touch. Even babies feel comfortable in overalls, hats, mittens from this warm and practical fabric. Fleece overalls are also sewn for them.
The material is painted in a variety of colors that do not lose brightness over time. Due to the ability to preserve the saturation of the shade, it is used for home textiles. During manufacture, the material undergoes an antibacterial treatment that protects against dust mites, fungus, microorganisms and moths.
The fabric dries quickly. Even wet things in the rain quickly become dry. According to reviews, fleece sweatshirts and other products are loved by tourists, since in them people practically do not freeze. People prefer to choose such clothes because of its elasticity, since it is not able to constrain movements.
What are they sewing?
Now fleece perfectly replaces natural and synthetic materials. It is used in tailoring:
- Children's clothing, including from infancy.
- Sweatshirts.
- Shirts, hats, gloves, socks.
- Thermal underwear.
- Shoe.
- Home textiles - plaids, bedspreads, blankets, bathrobes.
- Soft toys.
- Winter jackets and pants.
- Clothes for outdoor activities.
- Pet Products.
Home fleece clothing will be warm and comfortable. When buying things, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer. The more popular the brand, the better the fabric will be. Children's fleece sweaters and pants are suitable for winter walks. And in warm bathrobes it will be comfortable at home. Fleece overalls and separate suits are available for both children and adults.
From fleece, beautiful and practical products for the home are obtained. It can be bedspreads, blankets, pillows, rugs, both for children and adults. With such products, the house will always be cozy and warm.
Benefits
According to reviews, fleece clothing is comfortable, warm and practical, which is its main advantages. A rich assortment of things created by this material, as well as low cost make them popular. Due to good aeration in such clothes, a person hardly sweats.
Wearing such things on a naked body is undesirable. The fabric passes air, but is not able to absorb moisture. It is preferable to wear thermal underwear under it. With it, moisture is absorbed and heat is retained. The advantages include low specific gravity, making clothes suitable for the road.
disadvantages
According to reviews, things from fleece have disadvantages. These include:
- Ease of ignition.
- The ability to accumulate static electricity.
But to eliminate such problems there is a special treatment. Cheap types of material quickly roll up and lose their attractive appearance. Therefore, it is important to choose high-quality types of fabric that can last a very long time.
Overalls
Due to the quality of the material (flammability and the ability to electrify), its use in the manufacturing sector is limited. Dense varieties are used in warming winter workwear for those who work outdoors in cold weather.
Previously, fabric was made to create sportswear. But in this area it is in demand now. Sports fleece clothing is convenient for regular sports. The material is used for tailoring:
- Professional and amateur sportswear.
- Tourist stuff.
- Products for hunting and fishing.
- Special camouflage uniforms.
Fleece in these clothes is usually used together with other materials that can improve the properties of things. For example, for fishing, they usually sew sets with a raincoat fabric so that such products better fulfill their main purpose.
Care
According to reviews, fleece clothing requires simple maintenance. To preserve the appearance and consumer properties, you need to follow simple rules. How to wash fleece clothes? Since the material is synthetic, it should not be washed at high temperatures, it should be up to 30 degrees, and the washing mode should be delicate.
Squeezing at high speeds should not be, as the fabric dries quickly. With an intense spin, a thing can become deformed. After washing, the water should drain, and then the clothes should be laid out on a towel so that it does not lose shape. Do not use machine drying and drying on a heating radiator or over an open flame.
The material does not crease, so ironing is optional. If this is necessary, then the temperature should not be higher than 60 degrees. Ironing is required for ironing so as not to melt the material. It’s also not worth ironing because the properties are lost with heat treatment. During washing, do not use bleach and detergents with aggressive components. Great for baby detergents and washing gels.
How and when to wear such clothes?
The main property of this fabric is insulation. Therefore, it is necessary to wear clothes in the same cases as any other knitwear, for example, a woolen sweater or sweater. If the outdoor temperature is not very comfortable, then a fleece jacket will be the best choice. But it will not serve as protection against strong winds, unless it has a windproof membrane.
A fleece jacket does not protect against heavy rain. Although many things have water repellent and DWR treatment, fleece is not used to protect against rain. Another important quality is hydrophobicity along with breathable properties. Therefore, fleece clothing is suitable for outdoor activities. Using such things, you need to wear them with thermal underwear. And if it rains outside, then you need top waterproof clothing.
Material cost
The material is delivered from other countries, so customs duties and other expenses are added to the cost. An affordable option is fabric from China. The average wholesale cost is 120-280 rubles per 1 meter. American manufacturers sell goods for 350-450 rubles, and if it is shipped to Russia, the price doubles.
But still fleece will be cheaper compared to other materials with similar properties. When searching for goods at an affordable price, you need to pay attention to the units in which they are indicated. Fabric is sold in linear meters, kilograms and yards.
Although fleece is a synthetic material, it has become one of the most sought-after for sewing children's, sports and casual clothes. Moreover, people of different ages can wear it. Due to its excellent consumer qualities and affordable price, fleece attracts clothing manufacturers and buyers.