Replies

1. 
   Joanne_Burnett | Nov 11, 2000 09:53pm | #1

   *
   Depending on the weight and type of your fleece, you probably won't want more than an inch turn up for your hems. Machine sew. Using a double needle gives more of a ready to wear look if you don't have a serger with coverstitch capability. Your machine tension may need adjusting for the thickness of the fleece. Do some experimenting on scraps to see what looks best. Have fun.

1. 
   Rita_Bilbrey | Nov 12, 2000 09:10pm | #2

   *Joanne, thanks for your helpful suggestions. I tried to answer you yesterday, but my message didn't get through. It seems I'm as inept in computer usage as I am in sewing ability.The fleece I'm working with came from WalMart at about $6/yard, so I'm guessing its quality is not the best. I've been buying different types of fabric from WalMart (mostly from their $1/yard table) for practice. If my present project shouts "homemade" it will at least look pretty in my closet. But whether I will find the courage to actually wear it remains to be seen. If worse comes to worse I can always use it as a comfy lounging-around robe, so it won't be a complete waste!

1. 
   Joanne_Burnett | Nov 13, 2000 08:40pm | #3

   *Rita,Some of WalMart's fabrics are good and some aren't. A couple of excellent on-line sources for fleece are http://www.maldenmills.com and http://www.owfinc.com. Malden Mills makes Polartec, the best quality fleece. They have an outlet store on-line and also a regular fabric store. I have ordered from them. The second address is for Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics. They have a real variety of things and most of their fleece is from Malden Mills. Good prices and usually fast service. I have found things there that are hard to find elsewhere. Good Luck!

1. 
   Rita_Bilbrey | Nov 14, 2000 08:09pm | #4

   *Joanne, my thanks again--those web sites are great. I was pleasantly surprised to find the reasonable prices--less expensive than I had thought they might be.I have one more question about sewing fleece. My pattern calls for a two-inch-wide top stitching on the front openings of the duster. I tried everything I could think of to be sure I sewed a straight line, and although it turned out fairly well, there were a number of places where I went off the track and had to re-do. Are there any tips you know of to insure sewing a straighter top-stitch? I tried chalk marking as well as tape applied right to the fabric, using each as a guide, but neither worked well. Finally I used a strip of tape on the machine itself as a guide and that's how I ended up doing the top stitching.On the other hand, the one-inch machine stitching of the hem of the duster and the hem of the sleeves went perfectly (except for one little place).

1. 
   Sarah_Kayla | Nov 15, 2000 06:58pm | #5

   *I have a wonderful sewing machine foot that keeps me sewing straight. It is an open -toed foot that has a guage and a little wheel so you can adjust the distance from the edge. I use it all the time and it keeps my work looking really nice. I may have purchased it from Clotilde or from Nancy's Notions. It may be called an edge stitching foot. I had had a different version of the same foot from the same people that put out the pearls n'piping foot that was more expensive, didn't work as well, and was more fragile (I broke two) In gereral, I find polar fleece incredibly forgiving. I just gave some to a six year old to make into a hat for her baby sister. I saw the baby wearing the hat yesterday. It looked great.

2. 
   Rita_Bilbrey | Nov 16, 2000 06:11pm | #6

   *Hi, Sarah. I hope this doesn't show up as a duplicate posting. I'm having a little trouble posting something after I write it.I appreciate your telling me about the special foot you have had success with in keeping your sewing straight. I'm going to see what I can do about getting one for myself. I'll use your description of the foot for my guide (oooh, terrible pun). Thanks!

3. 
   Evita_ | Nov 17, 2000 03:33am | #7

   *Rita, I use my blind-hem foot (generic) for accurate top-stitching. This may be the same foot as Sarah. The gauge adjusts easily for the distance you need from the needle, and the fold of fabric cannot go too far.Polarfleece is a joy to sew and to wear !

4. 
   Margot_Henny | Dec 03, 2000 05:28am | #8

   *My girlfriend and I are making a basic black classic short dress for Christmas events (for her) - fabric is a not very stretchy knit but what concerns me are the sequins for it is covered in them (sequins are matte and not shiny. 1. Are the sequins going to start coming off, and is there something we can do to prevent this ?? 2. She is pretty freaked about ironing it and I have suggested to very lightly steam on inside only - any suggestions for my two questions. Thank you very much.

5. 
   Linda_Hausmann | Dec 20, 2000 10:10pm | #9

   *On the Malden Mills fleece -- I recently ordered their sample swatches from them and am so pleased!! For just $5 they promptly sent nice size swatches of all their most popular fleece. It's great!

6. 
   Cathie_Sischek | Jan 13, 2001 05:45pm | #10

   *Can anyone help me to make good looking buttonholes on a fleece jacket - I have a Bernina machine with a buttonholer, and the double thickness of fleece front and fleece facing made it seem impossible to do! Help! With thanks - Cathie

7. 
   Elona_Masson | Jan 20, 2001 02:05am | #11

   *Cathie, you can do buttonholes on fleece, but it's tricky and requires some special attention plus the use of stabilizers on both sides of the fabric. http://www.maldenmills.com--the premier maker of fleece--has a cool instructional section with all kinds of techniques for working with this fabric. There is also much advice at http://www.sewingworld.com under the "favorite tips and tricks" heading. Click on that and then run through the outerwear section. At the same URL, there may be more info under the "Fabric" topic.