Fleece is called an artificial analogue of sheepskin. This is a dense, light, soft fabric created from polyester knitted fabric. Fleece clothing is warm, practical and beautiful. Its advantages and disadvantages are described in the article.
History
The word Fleece in English means "sheep's skin". In the late 1970s the American company Malden Mills began to engage in scientific developments to create a modern material. According to the project, the fabric should have the advantages of natural fabrics and at the same time be inexpensive, accessible to everyone.
In 1979, a material called fleece was created. Only this type of knitwear was synthetic, and the raw material for its manufacture was primary or recycled plastic. The properties and characteristics of the new material turned out to be excellent. For a long time it was believed that synthetic fabrics could not be better than natural ones. But the creation of fleece was a breakthrough in advanced technology. For the manufacture of a new type of fabric, the creators were awarded the Nobel Prize. Thanks to theirFleece properties are in demand all over the world.
Features and production
The main features of fleece clothing include practicality, ease of care, versatility. Its qualities are associated with the material from which things are made, as well as with technology. Polyester synthetic fiber is used as raw material.
Often used secondary raw materials - plastic waste (bottles or film). The material is processed depending on what it will be used for. Judging by the reviews, the fabric is practical, adults and children love it.
Production and properties
Fleece is a non-woven fabric. From synthetic fibers, a dense knitted fabric is obtained, which is subjected to heat treatment. After that, the creation of fleece with its properties is carried out. A special machine, which has rollers with small hooks, raises small loops from the fabric without breaking the integrity.
This is how fluffy bouffant is created from fine polyester fibers, which has many breathable pores. Fleece is treated to reduce flammability. Thanks to different compositions, the material acquires the necessary qualities. So that pellets do not appear on the surface and consumer properties are not lost, anti-peeling treatment is needed. Such fleece clothes will be of high quality and beautiful for a long time. According to reviews, things with proper care are worn for many years.
Varieties
There are many types of fabric, they differ in various parameters. The density of the material is set in grams per 1 sq. m:
- Polarfleece - 100-200gsm m - thin. Used for thermal underwear, leggings, light sweatshirts.
- Average density - 200-300. Used in the manufacture of children's clothing, socks, gloves and hats.
- Dense fabric - 300-400. Suitable for blankets, bedspreads, winter clothes.
- Super thick fleece - 400-600. Used for camping gear.
Before fleece clothing is obtained, the material is subjected to the following treatments:
- Anti-peeling.
- Water repellent.
- Flammability reducing material.
- Antistatic.
As evidenced by the reviews, fleece clothing for children and adults is great for winter, as it warms up perfectly. Moreover, a variety of things are sewn from the fabric - jackets, hats, scarves, sweaters, suits, bathrobes, home sets. In such clothes it is comfortable on the street and indoors.
Composition
The following components are added to improve material properties:
- Lycra - wear resistance.
- Spandex - elasticity.
- Bipolar fleece, with 2 layers - warming and water repellent.
- Windblock, with a membrane layer that has windproof properties.
The material differs in the way it is dyed. It can be one-colored (monochrome) or with prints. Drawings are camouflage, children's and for home textiles. To create fleece clothing for men and women, there are suitable colors.
There is another division of the fabric- one-sided or two-sided. From the first they create underwear, shirts, and the second serves to obtain warm demi-season or winter clothes. The characteristics of the material include the following:
- Easy.
- Elasticity.
- Practical.
- Heat insulation.
- Aeration.
- Hypoallergenic.
Thanks to these qualities, the fabric is used in the manufacture of children's clothing. According to mothers, children love her because she is pleasant to the touch. Even babies feel comfortable in overalls, hats, mittens made of this warm and practical fabric. Fleece overalls are also made for them.
The material is dyed in a variety of colors that do not lose their brightness over time. Due to the ability to preserve the saturation of the shade, it is used for home textiles. During manufacture, the material undergoes an antibacterial treatment that protects against dust mites, fungus, microorganisms and moths.
The fabric dries quickly. Even things that get wet in the rain quickly become dry. According to reviews, fleece sweaters and other products are loved by tourists, since a person practically does not freeze in them. People prefer to choose such clothes because of their elasticity, as they are not able to restrict movement.
What are they sewing?
Now fleece perfectly replaces natural and synthetic materials. It is used in tailoring:
- Children's clothing, including baby clothes.
- Sweatshirt.
- Shirts, hats, gloves, socks.
- Thermal underwear.
- Shoes.
- Home textiles -blankets, blankets, bathrobes.
- Soft toys.
- Winter jackets and pants.
- Active wear.
- Pet products.
Home fleece clothing will be warm and comfortable. When buying things, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer. The more popular the brand, the better the fabric will be. Children's fleece jackets and pants are suitable for winter walks. And in warm bathrobes it will be comfortable at home. Fleece overalls and split suits are available for both children and adults.
Fleece makes beautiful and practical products for the home. It can be bedspreads, blankets, pillows, blankets, both for children and adults. With such products, the house will always be cozy and warm.
Benefits
According to reviews, fleece clothing is comfortable, warm and practical, which is its main advantage. A rich assortment of things created from this material, as well as low cost, make them popular. Due to good aeration in such clothes, a person hardly sweats.
It is undesirable to wear such things on a naked body. The fabric is breathable, but not able to absorb moisture. It is preferable to wear thermal underwear under it. It absorbs moisture and retains heat. Advantages include low specific weight, making the garment suitable for the road.
Flaws
According to reviews, things made of fleece also have disadvantages. These include:
- Easy to ignite.
- Ability to accumulate staticelectricity.
But there is a special treatment to fix such problems. Cheap types of material quickly roll down and lose their attractive appearance. Therefore, it is important to choose quality fabrics that can last a very long time.
Overalls
Due to the qualities of the material (combustibility and the ability to electrify), its use in the manufacturing sector is limited. Dense varieties are used in warming winter overalls for those who work outdoors in cold weather.
The fabric used to be made to create sportswear. But in this area it is in demand even now. Sports fleece clothing is comfortable for regular sports activities. Sewing Material:
- Professional and amateur sportswear.
- Tourist things.
- Products for hunting and fishing.
- Special camouflage uniforms.
Fleece in these clothes is usually used together with other materials that can improve the properties of things. For example, for fishing, they usually sew sets with raincoat fabric so that such products can better fulfill their main purpose.
Care
As evidenced by the reviews, fleece clothing requires simple care. To preserve the appearance and consumer properties, you need to follow simple rules. How to wash fleece clothes? Since the material is synthetic, it should not be washed at a high temperature, it should be up to 30 degrees, and the wash cycle should be delicate.
Press onhigh speed should not be, as the fabric dries quickly. With intensive spinning, the thing may be deformed. After washing, the water should drain, and then the clothes should be laid out on a towel so that they do not lose their shape. Do not tumble dry or dry on a radiator or open flame.
Material does not wrinkle, so ironing is optional. If this is necessary, then the temperature should not be higher than 60 degrees. For ironing, gauze is required so as not to melt the material. Ironing is also not worth it because properties are lost with heat treatment. During washing, do not use bleach and detergents with aggressive ingredients. Children's washing powders and washing gels are great.
How and when to wear such clothes?
The main property of this fabric is insulation. Therefore, it is necessary to wear clothes in the same cases as any other knitwear, for example, a woolen sweater or jumper. If the outside temperature is not very comfortable, then a fleece jacket will be the best choice. But it won't protect against strong winds unless it has a windproof membrane.
A fleece jacket will not protect you from heavy rain. While many garments are water-repellent and DWR-treated, fleece is not used for rain protection. Another important quality is hydrophobicity along with breathability. Therefore, fleece clothing is suitable for outdoor activities. Using such things, you need to wear them withthermal underwear. And if it's raining outside, then you need outer waterproof clothing.
Material cost
The material is shipped from other countries, so customs duties and other costs are added to the cost. Available option is fabric from China. The average wholesale cost is 120-280 rubles per 1 meter. American manufacturers sell goods for 350-450 rubles, and if it is delivered to Russia, the price doubles.
But still, fleece will be cheaper compared to other materials with similar properties. When looking for a product at an affordable price, you need to pay attention to the units in which it is indicated. Fabric is sold in linear meters, kilograms and yards.
Although fleece is a synthetic material, it has become one of the most sought after for tailoring children's, sports and casual wear. And it can be worn by people of all ages. Due to its excellent consumer qualities and affordable price, fleece attracts clothing manufacturers and buyers.
