Polar fleece or fleece fabric is a very popular synthetic material that can be made from recycled PET bottles. PET is actually polyethylene terephthalate, developed by Aaron Feuerstein. Because he refused to patent its invention, it went into the public’s hands leading to the production of many cheap varieties.
The advantages and disadvantages of fleece fabrics are many. Most of them are advantages, luckily. It is a very lightweight fabric with a soft nap and insulating properties. This makes it a good alternative to wool, and those who are allergic to wool feel very comfortable using this fabric. Its heat retention property makes it an ideal material for light weight blankets, jackets, hoodies, and hats.
Another advantage is that it is very easy to sew this material. Beginners, especially, will find that the nap of the material can hide the imperfections of sewing. As the edges do not fray, there is really no need to bind or hem the edges.
Fleece fabrics have very little water retention properties. So it is very easy to wash and dry them, and is ideal for outdoor activities, where there are chances to get wet. They do not shrink with washing either, so they will retain the shape. This feature makes it the ideal material to make soft toys. Since children play with soft toys in the yard and ground, they get soiled very fast and have to be washed frequently. Fleece soft toys will dry in no time and do not shrink.
This material has some disadvantages too. It is not a windproof material, so jackets made of fleece fabrics will keep you warm only if it is not windy. Now there are thicker fabrics treated to make them windproof, but still this jacket might have to be teamed with a shell to be effective.
The fleece fabric is a flammable material and has to be treated with a coating to reduce the tendency to catch fire easily. It gets easily damaged with high heat. So they should be washed with cold or lukewarm water, and should not be ironed. If the iron is very hot, the material will melt, or the imprint of the iron would leave a permanent mark on the fabric.
The fact that they do not absorb water works out to be a disadvantage too. If you are wearing sweatshirts made of fleece fabrics, it will not absorb sweat, and to have your sweat pouring down your back and body is not a comfortable feeling.
Another disadvantage is its tendency to pill. Low quality fleece fabrics pill very fast, and, unfortunately, it is difficult to ascertain beforehand if the material would pill or not.
They generate a lot of static electricity when rubbed against itself or your body. This can make the material cling to you and you will have to peel it off your body. Besides, this feature makes them a lint magnet in the wash. So you have to be careful to see that you do not put any towels or socks with them in the washing machine.
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