Does Fleece Fray? How to Finish Fleece Blanket Edges or Hem
One of the things you have to watch out for is fraying. That little sewing hurdle can cause a lot of problems for you when you made the perfect little outfit. Or so you thought. Making sure a fabric doesn’t fray helps you save time, energy, and materials.
Does fleece fray? What makes fleece a fabric that does not fray is that the majority of the material is made from knitted polyester or plastic fibers. Then when it comes time to finish your fleece clothing item, you can use any finishing method you want. You do not have to do a special technique to stop the fraying as the material shouldn’t fray on you.
To learn more about fraying when using fleece materials, just continue to read our article. It is filled with information on different fleece options that help you sew with the material a lot easier.
Fleece Fray 101
Will Fleece Fray?
The good news here is that fleece made from natural wool fibers or synthetic ones will not fray on you. That that means is, if you want to cut down on your sewing work, you should use fabric, like fleece, that doesn’t fray.
Even when made from recycled plastic, fleece should not fray on you. The secret is in how the fabric is put together. The knit method ensures that the fleece is secure and oven in such a way the threads stay tight and closer together.
Even looser woven fleece fabrics like microfleece should not fray on you. That should allow you to concentrate on doing more difficult stitches or maneuvering the fabric just right so your project looks good when it is done.
With one less worry, your sewing project should go by faster without sacrificing any quality. Then with the freedom to use any finishing method you want, you can be creative and create a nice look
Does Fleece Fray When Cut?
The good news keeps on coming Unless you are doing something wrong, any fleece material should not fray when cut. Again, that lack of ability to fray is due to the way fleece is constructed. The knit method makes sure the fibers are locked in tight.
The fact that fleece does not fray does not stop the material from attracting pet hair, different odors, or keep it from fading. Those are key issues to consider besides the fraying factor when looking at this fabric for your next sewing project.
Other issues to be concerned about are the pilling nature that fleece has as well as it is not a material that has no bulk. These negative features are counteracted by the lack of fraying, the lack of shrinking, can stretch well, and is lighter than wool.
Then its moisture-wicking, washable and durable qualities make it a very popular fabric to use despite those negative aspects. The choice is up to you but fleece is a good fabric to sew with and saves you time as well as energy when you do not have to think about stopping fraying.
Does Polar Fleece Fray?
This version is part of the fleece family of fabrics. It is made from the same raw materials and comes with the same positive and negative aspects that permeate all fleece versions.
That means that the fabric will not fray on you, even when you cut it down to size. What that ability does for you is to allow you to choose which fabric edge finish you think will work best with your completed sewing project.
Another good aspect that comes with polar and other types of fleece, is that it is not inclined to slip when it goes under your needle. That helps you concentrate more on sewing than possible errors due to fabric mistakes.
It is possible to use bias or fabric tape to finish your edges or you can just do a simple turn under hem and sew the fabric any way you want. There are numerous ways to finish your fleece project and you are able to choose any one of the ones you know how to do.
Fleece is an excellent material to work with and provides you with lots of colors and designs to use.
Does Minky Fleece Fray?
There are a lot of problems that come with using Minky fleece fabrics but one of them is not how the material is constructed. Like fleece, it is made from polyester fibers which gives it a durable quality.
Some people say that one f the biggest problems you will have with minky material is that the edges do release some of the threads when cut. Other people do not make that claim and may be using a cutting technique that cuts down on the number of loose threads released by the fabric.
In a direct comparison with other fleece fabrics, there was no mention of minky fraying. So your experience may be different depending on the quality of the fabric you buy and who made it.
Minky is knitted together so the amount of fraying may be minimal if it does fray at all. The biggest hassle you will have with this type of material is that unlike fleece, it will move a lot on you. So just be careful and take a few fraying precautions just in case.
Does Sherpa Fleece Fray?
From what we have been able to determine, sherpa fleece should not fray. It is made from everything the other fleece varieties are made from and comes with the same positive characteristic they do.
Sherpa fleece should also be knitted together which helps keep all the threads in place even when cut. The problem with this and other fleece options is not fraying but stretching. That is more of a hassle than fraying would be.
At least you can stop the fraying from taking place when and if it occurs. The same cannot be said about the stretching and you will need to factor that ability in when making your clothing items.
The good thing about lower quality fleece, even when it is a sherpa style, is that it does not stretch as much as the higher quality options do. Stretching will not encourage fraying so handle the task as best as you can.
Make sure to use an edge finish that works well with the project you are creating. That way you or the wearer will look fashionably well.
How to Finish Fleece Blanket Edges
For starters, you should use a good quality polyester thread. That style of thread will hold up and work best with the polyester fibers in the fleece. That is if you are using a sewing method to finish the blanket.
There are several good ways to finish a fleece blanket and one is the simple fold-over edge and sewing it together. Just fold, pin and then sew using a good stitch to hold the hem for a long time. A zig-zag stitch would probably be the best one to use.
Another way to finish the edge is to cut fringes into the blanket and tie those fringe cuts together. Go all the way around with this technique and tie pairs of fringe together.
A final good method is to braid the blanket edges. This technique requires a dual layer of fleece to pull off. That means you should sew about a 1/2 inch in from the edge to keep the two layers together.
After cutting your fringe, sew a straight stitch where the cuts stop to end any further tearing of the fabric.
Other Ways to Finish Fleece Blanket Edges
If you want another option that doesn’t include a lot of work like the last two in the previous section, then here are some more ways to finish the edge of your fleece blanket.
Two methods are using the many stitch options included on your sewing machine or just be decorative by using hand stitching options. Finishing a fleece blanket is not rocket science nor very complicated. You can be creative as well.
Then you can use embroidery thread if you want to make the blanket more colorful and attractive. Plus, you will get a more defined edge that builds on the look your bedroom has.
Another method you can use would be to use a crochet technique. Once the material is ready, the work goes by quickly. Finally, you can use bias tape or ribbon to add that special touch to your blanket.
Bias tape comes with a lot of ability and finishing off fleece blankets is just one of its talents.
How to Finish a Fleece Blanket Edge With a Serger
This is said to be the easiest way to finish off a fleece blanket. Why not as you can get the excess trimmed at the same time you are sewing the edge together. Plus, you can use either the 4 thread or the 3 thread option to make your edges secure and attractive.
The overlock stitch is the best one to use here and you will want to set the width and length of the stitch to their largest settings. Then sew away until all four edges are completed.
Of course, you will want to test this method on a scrap piece of fleece until you are confident enough to do your blanket. The only thing to watch out for is the natural stretch of the fabric.
That ability can ruin your blanket’s look before you get finished with it. But at least you know that the fleece fabric will not slip as it goes through those needles.
Do You Need to Hem Fleece?
This is not a mandatory step when working with fleece. Since the material does not fray, you really do not have to hem the garment to keep its good looks and protect it from itself.
That means you can hem the fleece shirt, etc. if you want to. And if you want to, use a stitch made for stretchy material. A good zig-zag option is the go-to stitch but there are several others you can use to make sure your sewing project looks professional and finished.
If you want to use a straight stitch then go with along basting style to make sure it will move when the fabric moves. These stitches can be done by hand or by machine. If you want to take your time and just enjoy the quiet around your home, then use the hand stitch method. There is no set way to hem fleece.
Can You Hem a Fleece Jacket?
A fleece jacket has the same lack of mandatory duties that other fleece products have. You do not need to hem a fleece jacket if you are feeling lazy or the finished result will look just as good without a hem as it would with one.
One way to have the jacket look good is to use a top and bottom layer of fleece with a middle layer of about 6-ounce polyester. Sewn together the materials look good and should hold up fairly well.
All hemming does is put a finishing touch to your jacket or another sewing project. It is not necessary and you should save yourself some work and forget that part. Unless you are one of those people who can’t stand leaving one part undone and you need to hem so you can sleep at night.
How to Hem Fleece Blankets
The best way, and if you do not have a lot of time, is to use your serger sewing machine if you have one. This does many jobs at one time and you can use a 3 or 4 thread overlock stitch to make sure the hem stays in place.
Or you can just fold the material over about 1/2 inch or more if you like, and then use a regular stitch to finish the edges. Just make sure to use a stitch option that works well with stretchy materials.
There is no real work involved in hemming a fleece blanket and the hemming will only give a nice finished look to it. Since fleece does not fray, you are just adding a decorative touch that makes the blanket look better.
The final decision is up to you and if you want to do the extra work or not. For some blanket purposes, forget the hemming and just let it be.
How to Hem a Fleece Blanket by Hand
The above advice will apply here as fleece is not something that requires hemming. But hand stitching is a great way to relax and contemplate as you work. There is nothing difficult about hemming by hand.
It just takes a little longer and a little cutting of the excess material may need to be done. Hand stitching gives you lots of opportunities to try different stitches to see which one works best for your project. Do a test first on scrap fabric to see which one you like the most.
Then just enjoy the time alone and do a great job. That is all there is to it when you are hand stitching fleece. The fabric also doesn’t move so you stay in control at all times and that should make your hand stitching time more enjoyable.
Use a good quality polyester thread to make sure the hem lasts a long time.
How to Hem Fleece Pants
If you want to hem those fleece pants so your fashion outfit looks professionally made and finished, then just follow the normal instructions for pants made from other fabrics. Hemming methodology doesn’t usually change when the fabric for the pants change.
But if you want to hem your pants so they fit better you have some no-sew options that save on work. First, you can use hem tape that can be ironed on. It just takes a few minutes to fold the pant legs inside to get the desired location, then press and apply the tape.
Or you can use fabric glue to do the job. Like hem tape, you will need to pin the new location so you do not lose it when you go to applying the glue. As you press the new hem line, remove the pins, and then add the glue. Press the fabric together until the glue holds it in place.
The glue should take anywhere between 2 to 4 hours to dry and some versions up to 24 hours.
Some Final Words
Having and working with a fabric that doesn't fray is a good thing. You can take one more worry off your mind and get to work. Plus, you should be able to finish faster because you save so much time by not doing sewing methods required for fabrics other than fleece.
Fleece has a lot of positive qualities that make it a good fabric to work with.
