Getting Creative With Fleece

Winter Scene by swanksalot on flickr

Stay warm and cozy this winter with fleece! Guest author Paisley Hansen has some great ideas below!

If you are looking for a fun and versatile fabric to create something for yourself or as a gift, fleece may be just what you need. Fleece has all the benefits of wool without the bulk. There are hundreds of colors and prints to choose from whether you are creating something for a new baby, a Hello Kitty lover, your favorite little super hero or a full grown sports fanatic.

Because of its versatility, you can use fleece to create various items to wear, cozy things for around your house and fun toys for kids or pets.

Benefits of Fleece

  • Fleece doesn’t unravel, which makes it perfect for no-sew projects. Even your smallest crafter can get in on the fun.
  • Fleece is a great alternative for people who are allergic to wool, plus it is much softer.
  • It’s also lighter weight than wool, but it still provides all the warmth and coziness.
  • Fleece is easy to care for so you can throw it in the washing machine with no worries.
  • Fleece is affordably priced from online suppliers and is offered in a large variety of colors and themed prints. This makes it easy to find a fleece product for anyone.
  • There are several varieties of fleece to choose from. Microfleece is the thinnest variety.
  • Double-brushed offers softness on both sides making it great for blankets and jammies.
  • Anti-pill fleece is the most durable for repeated wash and wear.
  • You can easily find many free tutorials and patterns online to guide you through fleece projects. Below are several ideas to get you started.

Fleece by Sewing Daisies on flickr

Wearables

Fleece fabric is the perfect item for winter clothing or accessories. You could practically sew an entire wardrobe out of fleece including pajama pants and top, jacket, cloak, hooded sweatshirt and easy-to-make mittens.

If you’re a novice, scarves are a simple way to start experimenting with fleece. Simply cut your piece of fleece down to the right size. 2 yards by 4 inches is a basic size for an adult. By cutting slits at the ends, you create instant fringe! By sewing up the ends of a slightly longer piece of fleece, you can create a scarf with pockets to keep your hands warm.

Hats made from fleece are wonderful and can be created with very little sewing. They can be made with a piece of fleece as small as 22 x 11 inches for the average adult. Have fun creating silly hats with pony tail or pigtail fringe, a colorful mohawk, or something long and pointy like an elf’s hat. You can also make an extra wide headband from fleece to keep your ears warm.

Around the House

Make pillows in any shape and size using your favorite colored or printed fleece. Curl up with a snuggly fleece blanket customized to your own taste. The edges of your blanket can be fringed, crocheted or tied with bows. You can also make a full size sleeping bag to crawl into on movie night or a perfect bean bag chair.

For Kids and Pets

Fleece can be used to create fun stuffed animals, dolls or silly creatures for kids. All you need is a pattern, stuffing and minimal sewing. It’s also simple to make a soft, but strong, pull toy for a dog by braiding together 3 pieces of fleece and tying off the ends. You can create a cat toy by making a fun fleece pom pom ball and dangle it from the end of a dowel stick for your cat to bat at. Fleece can also make a great bed for your furry friend.

Fleece is the perfect fabric if you want to create something soft, comfortable and personalized for yourself, your home or a loved one. Get started on your personalized gifts now by buying yourself some fleece and unleashing your creative and cozy side.

About the Author: Paisley Hansen is a freelance writer and expert in creative crafting. When she isn’t writing she can usually be found reading a good book.

Winter Scene image by swanksalot on flickr.  Fleece image by Sewing Daisies on flickr.  Both used under the Creative Commons license.


Enhanced by Zemanta

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.