Replies

1. 
   Shannon_Gifford | Jan 14, 2000 12:09am | #1

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   I made a zip-front jacket for myself about a year ago from Berber fleece. I did not use interfacing anywhere on the jacket, nor did I line it, except to line the patch pockets. I used conventional seams, no serging. Basic, bare bones construction. My reasoning was that this was to be a "throw on to take the dog out" jacket, and in the south we generally don't need things like heavy quilted linings. I throw it in the washer when it gets too much dog hair on it, and it comes out looking like new. If I make another one, I will probably put interfacing or stay tape on the zipper area to make it more stable, but I would definitely test any interfacings to see if it made the fabric too stiff or seem bulky. Do avoid using the selvage area in your garment; it tends to stretch more than the rest of the fabric. Other than that, it's a piece of cake to sew! Let us know how it turns out:)

1. 
   MMetz | Feb 24, 2000 11:44pm | #2

   *I made a big, long, hooded robe for my husband out of berber fleece. Serged it all, didn't use facing or interfacing, didn't finish any edges. The hardest part was cutting it out. It washes and dries beautifully. It's so snuggly and soft, we fight over it.

1. 
   Rita_Bilbrey | Nov 06, 2000 08:43pm | #3

   *I am quite a sewing novice and am a little nervous trying to sew fleece for the first time. What do I need to know before I start? What kind of needle and what number needle do I use? My pattern is quite simple--a duster coat with no collar, set-in sleeves and one-button closing. Do I make the facings from the fleece? Do I grade the neckline facings as I would with other materials? Any tips or warnings would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

1. 
   Dot_K | Nov 14, 2000 06:36pm | #4

   *go to http://www.maldenmills and they have some instructions for sewing with fleece which are very hellpful. Fleece or Berber instructions are the same. 90 needle, long stitch because of the high pile. no interfacing, lining unnecessary.Better than zippers would be buttonholes. Add fancy cut-out scraps of ultrasuede (maybe rectangle, triangle, circle -- use your imagination, just make it little bigger than the button. Sew it on in the proper place and just sew small straight stitch rectangular box about 1/8" wide -- then cut open for buttonhole. Very stable and sharp looking. There are some good books about sewing with fleece that offer lots of ideas. Another idea is not to hem but bind the edges with a lycra knit in contrasting color. Nancy's Notions carry this and if you use the same color as the buttonholes, it's very sharp looking.