Fleece fabric is an amazing fabric that is a relatively new invention. It is used to make a huge array of items including clothing such as jackets, hats, sweatshirts, jogging bottoms and many other kinds of everyday clothing. It is also used for blankets and throws.
It is usually made from a form of plastic called Polyethylene terephthalate, but other kinds are used. It can even be made from re-cycled plastic bottles. Despite being made from a plastic it is not hard or scratchy, in fact one of the main reasons it is so popular is that it is so soft.
Who Invented Fleece Fabric
Like so many other modern inventions who actually invented fleece is hotly disputed. A lot of people came up with a similar idea almost simultaneously. However, Malden Mills, which are now Polartec LLC, are seen by most in the industry as the inventor. They began mass production of polar fleece as far back as 1979.
It was primarily developed as a high performance fabric for use by a small segment of the world’s population. Its main use was as a lining for clothing worn in polar or arctic conditions. The fact that Aaron Feuerstein did not patent the fabric to begin with allowed a huge array of manufacturers to make their own version of fleece. This fact and the materials it is made from mean that is a cheap fabric that is readily available for everyone.
The Properties of Fleece Fabric
Fleece is an extremely warm fabric despite being relatively light. Even though it is made from plastic, it is soft and flexible. It comes in three main thicknesses called micros, which are 100, 200 and 300. 300 is the thickest and the least flexible of the three.
Fleece fabric is practically waterproof and holds less than 1% of its weight in water. Even wet it still breathes. For this reason, it is perfect for use in fitness clothes. It is also machine washable. However, it is highly flammable, so you must be careful to only buy fleece that has been treated with a flame retardant.
For the best choice of fleece fabric,visit the UK Fabrics Online website. We sell fleece to the clothing industry as well as members of the public.
