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polarfleece problems

B_ | Posted in The Archives on

*
have done one polarfleece vest which was not exactly a piece of cake. had alot of trouble binding the edges and when i put the zipper in it looked great but caught in the edges so i redid it and spaced it out further. now i want to do a berber fleece jacket and have read everything i can and feel more prepared.
does anyone know if malden mills fleece can be purchased in any fabric stores in southern california?

Replies

  1. Sarah_Kayla | | #1

    *
    I am surprised that you are having trouble working with Polar Fleece. I am a real by-the seat-of my pants wild woman sewer and have found it to be very forgiving. What kinds of troubles are you having?

    1. linda_hicks | | #2

      *When working with fleece, I set my dial on 9 and have no problems and am currently blanket stitching edges on vests...otherwise just turn up to hem. Love the stuff. My question is, do the inexpensive Tiny Sergers (about $39 to $49 in discount stores like Anne and Hope) work well on fleece? Also, I am amazed at the many versions of fleece. Thanks for answers on the tiny sergers! lh ([email protected])

      1. Kay_in_Ok | | #3

        *Linda, I don't own a Tiny Serger myself, but have been reading lots of posts on several boards regarding the Tiny Serger. Most posts indicate that it vibrates all over the place, the blade does not cut and that it is quite loud, so far I've seen only one poster who has found a use for it and she recommended it only for sewing small items, such as doll clothes. So far everyone else has said that it isn't even fit to purchase for a child to use. Strictly my opinion after looking at them in the store, but I have a feeling they wouldn't be worth having.

        1. Elona | | #4

          *Guest, even if you have read any of the really good books on Polarfleece sewing ("Sew The New Fleece," "Adventures with Polarfleece," "Polarfleece Pizazz I and II"), get McCall's patterns 7409. It is full of incredibly uuugly fleece parkas and pants--HOWEVER, it is full of great tips for sewing with the stuff.

          1. Bettina_ | | #5

            *Linda, forget that tiny serger girl, that's a toy. You can't even buy a decent child's game lately at (Ann & Hope) for $40 ... I was there yesterday. So we must be neighbors.

          2. ssu | | #6

            *hi! i make fleece outer garments w/ felt applique...i have been using polyester felt, but am unhappy w/ the "pilling"...does anyone have any ideas about a different kind of felt, or a different applique fabric altogether? thanks

          3. Marion_ | | #7

            *I just made a pillow with appliques on it, using Malden Mills lightweight polar fleece as the applique pieces. I used wonder under to press them in place before zig-zagging around the edges (not as close as a satin stitch) and I used adding machine tape as a stablelizer. It was easy to do and should not pill. Maybe this would work for you.

          4. Diane_Fromm | | #8

            *There have been quite a few posts on the JoAnns web board about Tiny Serger. Out of about 20 in the last month there was only 1 positive. A woman loved it for making doll clothes.

          5. Jen_Donnelly | | #9

            *I just encountered an unexpected problem with Polarfleece. I made a sweatshirt for my husband of red berber, the kind with the diamond pattern in black, which I bought from Spiegelhoff's Stretch & Sew. The color rubbed off onto my fingernails (soaked into the nail polish, it seems) and stained the bed of my sewing machine. It didn't even cross my mind that this would happen. So prewash your polarfleece lest it dry-bleed!

          6. Linda_Treggett | | #10

            *b (guest user): I was in Malden Mills yesterday (Seattle, WA) and asked if they do mail order, or if they even have a website.They will do mail order, all you have to do is phone them: Phone (206) 682-7037Fax (206) 682-7061The woman I spoke to did not know for sure if they have their own website. I was unsuccessful trying a search on the Internet.Good luck.

          7. Judey_in_NH | | #11

            *Hi I have a fleece business and set in zippers all the time. Just lengthen the stitch and sew in zipper. Micro Polarfleece makes excellent facings on fleece garments. I have a Pfaff sewing machine and serger. They breeze through fleece!

          8. AmyJeanne | | #12

            *www.rctfabrics.com (I think) is the web site for Rose City Textiles. They sell fleece and a ton of other types of fabrics at discounted prices. I wasn't pleased with the local selection of fleece in my local fabric stores (chintzy, flimsy stuff) so I looked for the real McCoy -- Malden Mills. RCT has it.

          9. Ally_ | | #13

            *http://www.polartec.com/This is the polartec website. You can find store locations that sell polartec in your area by typing in your zip code. The outlet stores(Seattle and Lawrence, MA) are the only two Malden Mills stores, but it says that they will have online shopping in the future. It isworth bookmarking!good luck!

          10. Diane_Fromm | | #14

            *Rct fabrics has Malden Mills fleece less expensive than the Malden Mills outlet!! That's possible because they buy manufacturers excess fabric and sell it cheap!!

          11. Julie | | #15

            *I have lots of tips for sewing fleece, since I sell the Canadian Yukon fleece by mail order. If interested, click on my website, www3.ns.sympatico.ca/timmel.fabricsAt the moment I have some polartec as well. Canadian prices are great for Americans.

          12. Valerie_Morris | | #16

            *I am trying to sew a fleece jacket. Is it better to sew seams on serger or sewing machine? I have a friend that said it is to heavy for our kind of serger singer 12yr old.

          13. Valerie_Morris | | #17

            *I am sewing wool/poly jacket.I was told to interface all the pattern pieces with knit interfacing because it is little loose, I was also told to stablizer the facings & collars. What do you think

          14. Edie | | #18

            Hi Valerie,I am going to make a robe out of fleece and I would like to know how to keep it from streching. You answer would be nice. Thank you  Edie

          15. User avater
            ehBeth | | #19

            great site, julie.

          16. autumn | | #21

            I've made several fleece jackets. When I put in a zipper I use fabric glue to place it before stitching. You can use the OK To Wash It kind so that you can re-position it if necessary. Then just stitch as usual. It won't stretch or move around. They look great.

          17. autumn | | #20

            I don't know where I got this, but here is a web site for Malden Mills:

            http://www.maldenmillsstore.com

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