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From: sewingrandma
Date: 10-06-2005, 11:56 AM (1 of 22)
Please don't throw things at me but I don't like sewing with fleece and will avoid it if at all possible.  DDIL wants fleece pjs for the kids since it is going to be a cold winter with the price of heating homes going up. Is there a special way to make sure the completed garment doesn't twist out of shape. I guess what I'm trying to say is do you have to make the fabric "on line" before pinning and cutting? I was just working with a piece and no matter how I folded the fabric if I got the twist out of the fold line the selvedge didn't line up and go straight. Is this a piece I need to return to the store and tell them it is way out of "wack"?  I plan on making very basic pull over type pjs for the boys, one seam pants and v-neck tops.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: SummersEchos
Date: 10-06-2005, 12:08 PM (2 of 22)
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Welcome to the club, I am not a fleece lover either. Working at a fabric store and cutting fleece for everyone just confirms my dislike of it lol. I would cut the selvedge off before I tried to do any straighting. I would also wash it or at least get it wet then throw it in the dryer. This can help somewhat in trying to get it straight. Now when they roll the fleece onto the boards, it is a machine that does it. It has yards and yards of fleece going through a line and when it has rolled the amount that is suppose to be on the board it cuts it and starts a new one. Well this stretches the fleece out and yes it is out of wack. At the store I work at I have had people tell me it isn't on grain. I do the best I can to make it LOOK on grain in their eyes. It really still isn't on grain but they think it is and that is all that counts. Just my own 2 cents here, but I am like you I am not a fleece lover. Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: patti2
Date: 10-06-2005, 02:23 PM (3 of 22)
| I am not fond of fleece, either, but living in NY makes it a must!!. I buy the cheap Walmart 2.27 a yard that they sell once a year. Believe it or not, it has very little if no shrinkage, washes beautifully and doesn't twist as much as the more expensive ones I have tried. I make jogging setd for my two younger ones for outdoor gym in the fall. They say it is sooooo soft. I also made several footed pj's for my grandchildren, and they hold up under multiple washings without losing shape.Good luck with the pj's! |
User: patti2
Member since: 05-28-2005 Total posts: 78 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 10-06-2005, 05:15 PM (4 of 22)
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My serger book taught me that on any knit , you need to stabilize the shoulder seams .. I use the spools of polyester satin ribbon 44 cents a spool at WalMart, Michaels, etc... (Cheaper than twill tape, and comes in a gazillion colors instead of just black and white) I always do this on any fleece shirt I make..I never have any problems with them....
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: paroper
Date: 10-06-2005, 07:20 PM (5 of 22)
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Much of the fleece has a knit base so it does have a grainline and it is important. It is just usually hard to see. I match the selvages..I never trust the fold. I've had the fold of the fabric be off several inches from one selvage to the other. I match the selvage and then lift the top layer and shift to the right or left until the roll leaves the middle. If the grain is correct, the selvages should match and there should be no buckle in the center. Sometimes I may loose as much as a foot or more when I do that but it usually pays off in the looks of the garment. It can also leave a very strange line where the fold of the fabric was...will come out in the wash. If the fabric was made in the round and slashed, the whole piece may be off...and it certainly can be printed off. I've only purchased one piece of fleece that had straight lines in the pattern and I'm not looking forward to checking it for being true...but my fingers are crossed. I'll start looking seriously at this year's fleece projects after I finish the wedding things (getting there).
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-06-2005, 07:22 PM (6 of 22)
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By the way I LOVE sewing fleece...but I don't do it for myself....all I need is the look of about 25 pounds added to my full figure. I make it up for all kinds of lounge and sleepwear as well as jackets for the big kids, rompers, pants, jackets, etc. for the granddaughter. My kids love fleece blankets too...and they are fun to embroider!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: patti2
Date: 10-07-2005, 01:04 PM (7 of 22)
Pam, when you embroider on fleece, do you use a top cover stabilizer? Do you hoop it or use a sticky spray on your hoop. I have plain colored fleece that I am making baby things out of , but I am afraid to embroider on it! 
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User: patti2
Member since: 05-28-2005 Total posts: 78 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-07-2005, 01:23 PM (8 of 22)
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Don't be afraid. The hardest part is deciding what to use (picture, font, etc.). I usually use either 2 layers of Aquamesh or 1 layer of Badgemaster on the bottom. I don't really like the tear away and the wash away is so nice on a blanket. If my design was super dense, I might reconsider and use a tear away. I hoop the stabilizer firmly. Then I spray with 505. (If I use 2 layers of stabilier, I hoop between them.) I gently lay the fleece on the stabilier. The trick is to get it even and not stretch it...beyond that, this is really a piece of cake. Once my fleece is where I want, I pin baste around the inside of the hoop, near the edge. I don't overlap the pins but they are very close together. I do usually use a light weight solvy on the top like Aquafilm. Honestly though I have forgotten the top film (senior moment) and I couldn't really tell an appreciable difference...but if the fleece has a deep pile, I certainly would use the solvy.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-07-2005, 01:33 PM (9 of 22)
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By the way, fleece plus teen girls (esp.) just leads to creativity. I make a great sports set with pull up drawstring pants (pattern may call for elastic) and a hooded jacket. I have a couple of these with the zipper down the front, one short with ribbing and one longer. These just BEG for cool embroidery. For instance, I found some purple band fleece with neon color instruments. I took neon green thread and put "Drum Major" in huge letters across the seat of the pants (before I sewed them together) and I embroidered her flute on the upper left thigh. On the sleves of the jacket I put her first and last name going down toward the cuff. This stuff is just too cool. I had planned to do a senior blanket for the twins. I put the school mascot in the center with the school's name going around, their name and seniors 2006 below. I had planned to scatter their school career activities and teachers all over the blanket, from kindergarten to senior...but they didn't want to wait so I just used 505 and sprayed around the edge to adhere the edge to another color (red to black). Instead of serging, I used a wide overcast stitch around the edge (machine of course). They turned out really well. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: vickki
Date: 10-07-2005, 08:04 PM (10 of 22)
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All the fleece ideas sound really great.I am a beginner sewer and would love to do pj,s for my grandkids.... Is there special patterns I must use?Something easy as I have not taken sewing lessons.....What's 505?????? vickki  
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User: vickki
Member since: 08-21-2005 Total posts: 374 |
From: paroper
Date: 10-07-2005, 10:05 PM (11 of 22)
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505 Is a spray adhesive that is often used in embroidery. You can find it in the stabilizer/thread section of most fabric shops. There are several brands out there. There is something called HR5 that I haven't used but have a bottle of...I'm not one for changing products if they work but I purchased it because my dealer likes it and it is supposed to be easy to reposition...so is 505. You need to always spray it on the stabilizer OR on the inside of something to be covered. It washes out of stabilizer well, but not as easily out of fabric. I can use it between the layers of fleece because it will forever be sealed. There are many spray adhesives for embroidery. The reason I like 505 is because it doesn't gum the needle as some do. You don't need to use much more than a light spritz to make it work either so even a small can goes a long way. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 10-07-2005, 10:34 PM (12 of 22)
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I was just working with a piece and no matter how I folded the fabric if I got the twist out of the fold line the selvedge didn't line up and go straight. Is this a piece I need to return to the store and tell them it is way out of "wack"? The last time I got a piece of fabric that did this (flannel), I took it back to return it. In my opinion, if you start with twisted fabrics, you will finish with twisted garments. The store manager did not appreciate this in the least, and I told her she could give me store credit or a long-lasting goodbye. She came to her senses. (Ok, she came to my senses. LOL.) I do not think this is something that is typical of fleece, but rather, typical of poor manufacturing. The whole bolt will be twisted. Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: patti2
Date: 10-08-2005, 08:57 AM (13 of 22)
Thanks, Pam. It,s a nice rainy day today, perfect for sewing. I'll give it a try. 
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User: patti2
Member since: 05-28-2005 Total posts: 78 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 10-08-2005, 11:23 AM (14 of 22)
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Thanks for the info on the fabric. I washed it and played around with it longer and tried all your tips. I finally got it to where I was satisfied with the lay. So far so good with the pjs. One down and 4 to go.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: Longblades
Date: 10-09-2005, 09:30 AM (15 of 22)
| Looks like I am a bit too late, but - unless it is the expensive stuff I find fleece does not breathe and is very sweaty. And how flamable is it? VERY, I should think, based on how easily it melts under the iron. Maybe is not safe for kids' PJs? |
User: Longblades
Member since: 07-14-2005 Total posts: 182 |
From: Catalina
Date: 10-09-2005, 10:01 AM (16 of 22)
| For some reason I can't stand fleece next to my skin. I do have a stash tho as I am going to sew up some shawls for the nursing home- if I ever get to it. |
User: Catalina
Member since: 01-06-2005 Total posts: 119 |
From: oodles
Date: 10-10-2005, 12:45 PM (17 of 22)
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Maybe I have been lucky so far. I always bought mine on sale in the summer here or Walmart if it felt good. I always used the curled up part as part of a back seam or leg seam and cut most of it off and nothing ever rolled or twisted. My grandaughter love pj's out of this in the winter. Going to try and make matching ones for mom and daughter this xmas.
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User: oodles
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 14 |
From: Reba Hewitt
Date: 10-10-2005, 04:55 PM (18 of 22)
| Hi I am new to this site....I LOVE sewing....never had a problem with fleese...I sew hunting pants and coats and line with fleese....My grandson said he actually got hot, He lives in W VA. My hubby and son say 'goodby to long johns'. I go hunting too and have not gotten cold!!!! |
User: Reba Hewitt
Member since: 10-10-2005 Total posts: 14 |
From: MaryW
Date: 10-10-2005, 05:23 PM (19 of 22)
Oodles and Reba, hi and welcome to Sew Whats New. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: vickki
Date: 10-12-2005, 09:10 PM (20 of 22)
| Hi Pam, Thanks so much for the info on the 505.....Vickki |
User: vickki
Member since: 08-21-2005 Total posts: 374 |
From: LadySloPokes
Date: 10-13-2005, 09:05 AM (21 of 22)
I haven't worked with fleece yet, but I do have some stashed away for blanket throws for Christmas presents for my GS and his older half-brother. Now, here's a silly  question: a co-worker of mine (who has been sewing since she was 10 and is now in her 50's) says that I have to use my serger to sew the fleece together to make sure the seams hold. If I didn't have a serger, would using a standard sewing machine with a stretch zig-zag stitch work just as well? I'm asking because my serger skills aren't very good yet, i.e., I sew very crooked on it! 
Cookie
LadySlo...yes am I, but hey, I'm gettin' there! Are you sure it's supposed to look like this?! Proud owner of Singer Quantum Decor 7322 & Singer Quantum Futura CE 200.. "A balanced diet is having chocolate in both hands!" |
User: LadySloPokes
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 198 
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From: paroper
Date: 10-13-2005, 10:00 AM (22 of 22)
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Fleece is very stable and it doesn't ravel. You can use a serger but a sewing machine is fine. There is no seam finish needed. It just doesn't get any easier.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
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