Fleece Fabric 101: From Manufacturing to Care and Quality Tips
If you’ve ever taken off a fleece fabric hoodie and watched tiny fibers float through the air—or noticed your black T-shirt suddenly covered in fine white fluff—you’ve met one of fleece fabric’s quirks.
It’s a familiar scene for many: you love the warmth and softness, but you’re not thrilled about the stray fibers.
Whether you’re shopping for winter layers, planning your next apparel collection, or just wondering why some fleece stays plush while others thin out fast, understanding fleece helps you make better choices—and enjoy longer-lasting comfort in every piece you own.
In this guide, we’ll break down what fleece fabric actually is, why high-quality fleece doesn’t shed as much, how it’s made, how to work with it efficiently, and how to care for it so it stays looking and feeling great.
What Is Fleece Fabric—and What Makes It Unique?
Fleece is a soft, insulating textile created by brushing the surface of knitted fabrics—most often polyester—to produce a dense, fluffy pile. Its main draw is warmth without weight, making it a go-to for jackets, loungewear, and activewear.
But why polyester instead of pure cotton?
Polyester fibers have a natural spring-like structure and smoother surface, which helps them bounce back after brushing and keep their loft over time.
They’re also more resistant to shrinking, absorb less water, and dry faster than cotton—important qualities for outerwear and active garments.
Cotton can be made into fleece, but it tends to feel heavier, take longer to dry, and lose its fluffy texture sooner, making polyester the performance-oriented choice for most fleece products.
If you’re curious about how fleece compares to other fabrics, our Fabric 101 guide covers a wide range of material profiles.
Why Fleece Sheds—and Why Some Fabrics Don’t
Shedding—those stray fibers you find on other clothes or in the air—is usually the result of loose fiber ends created during the brushing process.
Friction from washing or wearing can pull them free.
Lower-quality fleece sheds more because it:
- Uses shorter fibers that pull out easily
- Has a looser knit with less fiber anchoring
- Undergoes inconsistent brushing, leaving more loose ends
High-quality fleece sheds less thanks to:
- Longer, continuous fibers that stay anchored
- Denser knit structures
- Controlled brushing that raises fibers evenly
- Optional anti-pilling finishes that lock fibers in place
How Fleece Fabric Is Made: From Yarn to Softness
Step 1: Knitting the Base Fabric
Fleece starts as a knitted structure—jersey or interlock—that’s strong enough to handle brushing without breaking.
Step 2: Brushing
Mechanical brushes lift the surface fibers, creating that signature soft texture.
Step 3: Shearing & Finishing
The raised pile is trimmed for even height, then dyed and treated for added performance, like anti-pilling or moisture-wicking.
Cutting Fleece: Tips for Precision and Efficiency
- Mind the nap—cut all pieces in the same pile direction for consistent appearance
- Use sharp blades to prevent snagging
- Adjust patterns slightly to account for the fabric’s stretch
Controlling Waste in Fleece Production
- Optimize marker planning to reduce scrap
- Reuse offcuts for linings or insulation
- Maintain consistent fabric widths to limit unusable edges
Caring for Fleece: Washing, Drying, and Daily Use
Washing Tips:
- Wash in cold water to protect fibers
- Use mild detergent
- Turn garments inside out to reduce friction
Drying:
Fleece can go in the dryer—just use low heat. High heat can melt fibers and flatten the pile.
Everyday Use: Protecting Your Fleece Garments
- Avoid high heat sources like campfires or very hot dryers
- Minimize Velcro contact to prevent snagging
- Be gentle with zippers and rough surfaces to reduce pilling
Wrapping Up
Fleece offers comfort, warmth, and versatility, but its quality and care make all the difference. From fiber choice to finishing techniques, every step impacts how it performs over time.
If you’re ready to create fleece garments or need help sourcing the right fabric, explore our Garment Production in Vancouver to see how we bring high-performance fleece to life.