Quality of fleece fabric

[chisnpeke]

I'm also posting this on the CB but figured I'd try here too since that board can get cluttered.

About eleven years ago when I first started buying and wearing fleece it was really plush and comfortable to the touch. Now, however, everywhere I go to buy fleece it is just not the same as it used to be. It isn't as soft as it used to be and not as plush. Has anyone else noticed this or is it just me? It bothers me for some reason.

 

[NotUrsula]

Way back when, there was only one brand of it, which was Polarfleece, and it only came in one weight, which was a heavy one. Now it is made by many mfrs., and comes in quite a few different weights, so you need to pay attention to what you're looking at. The ones made from recycled bottles are usually not as plush as the ones made from virgin fiber. Name-brand Polarfleece is normally going to be more expensive, and may not always be found in stores catering to the home sewing market -- they sell more to clothing mfrs.

Most older fleece fabrics were 300 weight or better; this is the weight that is used in the popular North Face jackets. It's the correct weight for outerwear, but if you are making something like PJ's or an indoor-wear sweater, it will be too hot (or thick, in the case of fleece socks.)

This is a good overview: http://www.ca.uky.edu/HES/fcs/FACTSHTS/CT-MMB-159.pdf

 

[chisnpeke]

Thank you so much! This definitely wasn't something too important but I was curious about it and so thank you for the answer.

What I was noticing specifically was fleece from Old Navy from 11 years ago and from three years ago and fleece from Lands End from 10 years ago and from what they sell today. Definitely not as nice.

 

[msmama]

YES!!!

I was out looking for a fleece jacket for my son this weekend and none of the ones I found were going to keep him as warm as I wanted it to!

I did end up finding what I would call a Medium weight one at the Gap (outlet).

 

[luvestodizz]

Last year bought my 4 yo a fleece set from Old Navy. Not only was it not nice and plush but it had a strong chemical odor. Even after washing that odor stayed so I returned it. My older DS had such nice fleece shirts when he was younger I wish I had saved them.

 

[funnygarcia]

My dh's favorite fleece stocking hat, bought 17 years ago, is finally threadbare. The man was depressed and didn't want to admit it was a lost cause.

He looked at lots of hats, looked at fabric and realized it just wasn't the same quality. He bought an ugly jacket at the thrift store, nice heavy weight.

He's never sewed more than a button or darning a sock (as a teen) yet designed and hand stitched two hats this weekend.
Now he wants a sewing machine. I think he found himself a new hobby at the ripe age of 37

And yeah the hats are cute and he's happy again.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Way back when, there was only one brand of it, which was Polarfleece, and it only came in one weight, which was a heavy one. Now it is made by many mfrs., and comes in quite a few different weights, so you need to pay attention to what you're looking at. The ones made from recycled bottles are usually not as plush as the ones made from virgin fiber. Name-brand Polarfleece is normally going to be more expensive, and may not always be found in stores catering to the home sewing market -- they sell more to clothing mfrs.

Most older fleece fabrics were 300 weight or better; this is the weight that is used in the popular North Face jackets. It's the correct weight for outerwear, but if you are making something like PJ's or an indoor-wear sweater, it will be too hot (or thick, in the case of fleece socks.)

This is a good overview: http://www.ca.uky.edu/HES/fcs/FACTSHTS/CT-MMB-159.pdf

When I saw this thread I immediately thought about how everything used to be made at Malden Mills (original mfg of Polartec)!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malden_Mills