Pros and Cons of Fleece Fabric

by Ozza Konveksi Business Owner

Fleece fabric is a type of synthetic fabric that made as an imitation of wool. The name of this fabric is taken from the English "fleece" which means ffur sheep. Because it is made as an alternative to wool, its characteristics are similar to wool.

Based on the composition of the materials, fleece fabrics can be grouped into several types of materials. Some that are popularly used as clothing materials include fleece cotton, fleece polyester, fleece micro, fleece polar, fleece bamboo and others.

Fleece Material Characteristics

In general, fleece has the following characteristics:

The outer texture is furry, making it warm to the touch.
Fleece fabric is able to absorb heat well.
Fleece has a lighter weight than wool
Has the ability to absorb sweat and water very well.
Air circulation in this fabric is very good.
It is elastic, but not stretchy.
The fibers of this fabric produce more static electricity than other types of fabric.

What is Flece Fabric Made Of?

Today most fleece fabrics are made from polyester (which is derived from plastic). Polyester fibers are woven into a lightweight fabric that is brushed to help the fibers increase in volume.

Sometimes other natural fibers are incorporated into the fleece such as wool, hemp or rayon to create a certain texture to the fabric. Fleece is also known as an eco-friendly fabric as it can be produced from recycled plastic waste.

History And Origin of Fleece Material

Fleece was originally created in the 1970s when Malden mills developed polyester fleece fiber, on which all modern fleece is based. The company was originally known as a maker of fake books and woolen clothing. Seeing the drawbacks that existed in wool materials led Malden Mills to create synthetic fibers that could replicate the insulating properties of these fabrics without the problems that come with natural wool.

Malden Mills then teamed up with outdoor clothing company Patagonia, to develop Synchilla fleece - a strong fleece fabric made to mimic wool.

Malden's owner - Aaron Feuerstein - decided not to patent this artificial fleece. Thus allowing it to be accessible to the masses and inexpensive to purchase. Now working under the PolarTec name, the company continues to make the famous fleece to this day.

Pros of Fleece Material

Fleece material is easier to dry
Durable and long-lasting
The price is quite affordable
Smooth and warm surface texture
Fleece clothing is able to keep the user's body temperature warmer.
The material is elastic but not easily stretched

Disadvantages of Fleece Material

The outer surface is easy to peel off
Fleece material easily causes static electricity
Fleece is a type of fabric that gets dirty easily
The color fades easily
Not suitable for use in extreme temperatures

Difference Between Fleece And Baby Terry

The inside of terry and fleece fabrics have a raised surface, but they look quite different. On the inside of French Terry you will see raised loops, which you won't see on fleece. The absence of these loops on fleece is due to the fibres being cut, so they stand up.

Use of Fleece Fabric Material

Fleece fabric is widely used in making warm and thick clothing such as jackets, vests, hoodies and sweaters. In addition, fleece materials are also often used to make blankets, mats, towels to bed covers.

In the world of fashion, fleece cotton is the most popular type of material used. This material is composed of a mixture of 80% cotton fiber and 20% wool fiber.

Fleece fabric is also often used by manufacturers in making various kinds of athletic clothing products, especially sweatshirts.

Conclusion

Fleece is warm and soft, making it a great jacket material. Fleece is also a good material for making sports sweatshirts because it has good air circulation. In addition, this material does not cause odor like other materials.

If you plan to make a varsity jacket, you can choose materials such as fleece or baby terry although there are also those made from taslan.

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