Replies

1. 
   ctirish | Sep 13, 2007 01:02am | #1

   I asked this question to the women that worked at Malden Mills store that sells Polartec fleece. They told me they never use interfacing when they sew their jackets and coats. She said they do use a little square piece when they are doing buttonholes.

   I made a jacket last winter that I have as yet to complete because I am afraid to do the buttonholes. When I got up the courage to do the buttonholes I couldn't find the book that came with my machine to tell me how to make the buttonholes. Then it was spring, so it waits for me....

   So, I too am interested in what other sewers have to say about interfacing fleece projects. Ladies, start your PC and tell us what you think....thanks, jane

2. 
   Teaf5 | Sep 13, 2007 03:38am | #2

   I use very lightweight fusible nonwoven interfacing (Pellon) on my fleece jackets, and it works really well.  Fleece doesn't really need interfacing for body, but it helps to support the buttons and the buttonholes. 

   Unlike on wovens, fusible interfacing stays fused to fleece, even through multiple washings.  I cut the interfacing smaller than the facing so that it doesn't show along the edges, which I leave unfinished; if it shows through the buttonholes, I trim it a little or color it with a matching permanent marker pen.

3. 
   starzoe | Sep 13, 2007 03:51am | #3

   Fleece is the most forgiving of fabrics, easy to sew, eminently washable and warm to boot. I have never used interfacing on fleece unless the fleece is the very lightweight kind and then I found the project would have been better without it.

   Try to do away with facings if you are using a heavier fleece. Careful with the hot iron, fingerpress seams instead.

   Sewing with fleece that is not pill-free is a waste of money and time. Malden Mills products do not pill, at least in my experience. On my fleece jackets I use closures other than buttons and buttonholes.

4. 
   woodruff | Sep 13, 2007 04:27am | #4

   I've made a lot of fleece garments, and I never interface the collars, fronts, or cuffs. Nuttin' goes in there. The reason is that fleece is a knit, and, through experience, I have found that the interfaced portions never hang or drape quite the same as the rest of the garment. They look cheesy and cheap.

   As to buttons and buttonholes on fleece: You will want to read up on this subject. Fleece can behave very strangely when you try to make buttonholes in it. It doesn't like buttonholes, to tell the truth. There are ways around this, such as employing washaway interfacing on the top and tearaway on the bottom, but there are much better techniques, like "faced" buttonholes or loops of "fleece cord." These have been discussed in Threads magazine, as well as in several wonderful books on working with fleece.

   One series of books is written by Rochelle Harper, and the other is by Nancy Cornwell. Just google their names, and their titles should come right up. Both are excellent, and fleece sewists will enjoy having these as references.

5. 
   Tatsy | Sep 18, 2007 08:01am | #5

   Since most of the things I've done with fleece have been jackets, I usually use zippers instead of buttons, but I think a better choice than regular buttonholes would be either bound buttonholes or loops.  Bound buttonholes are really easy on fleece.  You could also use a little grosgrain ribbon to make the bound buttonholes.  That would have a really nice look if it matched or was a good contrast.  I would either use interfacing under the buttons or put a small button on the back side to take the stress off the fabric.

6. 
   Brine | Sep 18, 2007 07:15pm | #6

   I have made a number of fleece garments and sometimes use interfacing and sometimes not, depending on the fleece weight and the construction. On a barn-type jacket out of mid-weight fleece I used fusible interfacing on the front bands to stabilize the fleece for machine-made buttonholes. Making regular buttonholes on fleece can be a problem. I found that using the stretch buttonhole on my machine worked better than the usual one (fleece doesn't ravel, so you don't need to cover the buttonhole edges with thread as closely as you would for other material.) My advice would be to make samples.

7. 
   rodezzy | Sep 19, 2007 07:46pm | #7

   I made a fleece jacket and put in a zipper, I made two fleece coats that had no buttons holes in the front, but in openings created in the seam of the self-scarfing collar, which worked out like a dream.  The front of the coat overlaps so one button is near the right shoulder and one on the left shoulder.  It's a great swing coat, it's black with white oriental words on it.  I get compliments every single time I wear it.  The other coat is a fleece backed fleece, the inside is red and the outside is black.  Simple clean construction and fast to make with a big impression.

1. 
   user-217847 | Sep 20, 2007 06:58pm | #8

   rodezzy, hello,

   your coats sound wonderful, was it your own design or did you use a pattern?

   Your friend in sewing,

   wombat

1. 
   rodezzy | Sep 20, 2007 07:08pm | #9

   View Image  This is a Greenpepper pattern.

   Edited 9/20/2007 12:10 pm ET by rodezzy

1. 
   user-217847 | Sep 20, 2007 08:16pm | #10

   Thank you ever so much.

   wombat

1. 
   rodezzy | Sep 20, 2007 08:20pm | #11

   Glad to pass on the pattern...I've made two coats from this pattern and no one is the wiser.

2. 
   user-217847 | Sep 21, 2007 05:32pm | #12

   Hello rodezzy,

   I have checked out all your photo's more than twice, lady you are incredible I've drooled over your quilts, I'm just learning myself and having fun.Your woollen garments are beautiful too, I'm with Cherrypops come live in Australia with us where not that far apart. I am also very interested in what you are wearing in the photo's, I also have a request photo's of your two fleece coats?   pleeeese.

   love wombat 

3. 
   rodezzy | Sep 21, 2007 05:49pm | #13

   Thanks.  I would love to come and visit your country.  But you have some dangerous critters there.  I'm a punk when it comes to snakes, scorpions, spiders and poisonous stuff.  Being a city girl, I' whimpy, whimpy, whimpy.

   I'll get some pics of the coats soon.  You've just got to see my "pink faux fur" coat I made last winter also.

   I just love Allison Whitlock on "Uncommon Threads" she's from your homeland I believe.  She's so bright, funny, talented, creative and beautiful.  She loves to crochet and has groups from around the world on her show.  I record the show and watch it every day.

   The dress I am wearing is one of my favorite African inspired pieces that I have no idea where I bought anymore.  I was thinner when I bought it, but it rises to the challenge of my rising weight. (giggle).  I just love it.  It's several years old.