Fleece earns its place because it does something no woven fabric manages: it's genuinely warm, it doesn't fray, and it's forgiving to sew, which makes it a rare combination of cosy and easy. If you're making something for a child, a blanket for the sofa or a dressing gown for winter, this is usually the shortest route to a finished result.
Three kinds of cloth sit here and they behave differently. Cuddle fleece is plush on the face and printed in bold designs, soft to handle and warm straight away, and it's the one to reach for on blankets and children's makes. Fleece-backed sweatshirting has a smooth marl jersey face with a brushed fleecy reverse, so the outside looks like an ordinary sweatshirt whilst the inside does the insulating: that's the choice for hoodies, joggers and everyday layers. Brushed cotton fleece is the interlining option, used on the inside of coats and jackets to add warmth without bulk.
What to make with fleece fabric
- Dressing gowns and loungewear, where the softness is the whole point.
- Children's clothes, since fleece is warm, washes easily and doesn't need finished seams.
- Blankets and throws, which can be made from a single cut with no hemming at all.
- Hoodies and joggers from the fleece-backed sweatshirting.
- Coat and jacket linings from the brushed cotton fleece.
Sewing with fleece
Fleece doesn't fray, so seam finishing is optional and edges can be left raw, which cuts a project down considerably. Use a ballpoint or stretch needle, a slightly longer stitch and a walking foot if the layers want to shift. Most fleece has a nap, so cut all your pieces facing the same way or the shade will look different across a seam. Press very carefully or not at all: a hot iron directly on the face will flatten the pile permanently, so use a cool iron from the wrong side or finger-press instead.
Care
Fleece washes easily at 30 degrees and dries quickly, but check the individual product page and the care label, particularly for the cotton blends. Skip the fabric conditioner, which coats the fibres and reduces the softness over time, and keep the tumble dryer cool. For quilted fabrics and softshell alongside fleece, see our fleece and quilted fabrics collection.
