Warm Up Your Winter With These Cozy Fabric Choices | Bernina Sew N Quilt Studio

The weather is getting colder, and that means it’s the magical time of year for crafting cozy clothes and plush gifts from warm and soft materials! Let’s take a look at some tips for sewing with fleece, flannel and faux fur:

Fleece

In spite of being a relatively new material, fleece has become a popular go-to for super cozy clothes and blankets! And it’s no wonder, when this material is as affordable and versatile as it is soft and warm.

New to sewing with this fabric favorite? Just remember a few quick tips:

  1. Fleece has a right side and a wrong side, with a texture that runs in one direction. So always measure and sew with nap and arrange your pieces facing the correct way.

  2. Fleece edges don’t fray, so finishing seams are optional.

  3. Stay stitching is necessary, particularly at the cross-grain, because fleece is so stretchy.


  4. Always start with a new needle, use clean scissors and keep your machine clean. Fleece is notoriously tough on your sewing materials.


  5. For best results, sew with a high-quality polyester thread and use a larger stitch length.

Flannel


Many people think of cotton flannel as being exclusively plaid material worn by lumberjacks and hipsters, but this simply isn’t always the case! Flannel comes in all kinds of prints and colors and, like fleece, it’s super cozy and versatile.

This material is thick, durable, and easy to machine wash and dry. Plus, it gets softer and cozier the more that it’s used and broken in, making it a delightful material for pajamas and blankets. Here’s what you need to know for sewing with this fabric:

  1. Flannels tend to shrink—so always wash and dry your fabrics before you get to work on your sewing project! 


  2. Like fleece, you want to use new needles and keep a clean machine and scissors to work with this thick, fuzzy fabric.


  3. Cotton flannel calls for using cotton thread, as these will wear and shrink at the same rate.

Faux Fur


Is there anything better for adding a touch of extra soft coziness to your project than faux fur? Like fleece and flannel, this fabric is thick and fuzzy, and needs some special sewing techniques:

  1. Like fleeces and flannels, faux furs call for having sharp and clean needles and scissors. Unlike fleeces and flannels, you’ll also need a wide tooth comb for brushing the material. 


  2. Make sure you’re sewing with the nap and keeping all of your fur running in the same direction! 


  3. What kind of stitch you use may depend on the length of your faux fur—long hair can easily hide a zig-zag stitch, which is more desirable for some seams, while short hair may be less forgiving and call for a straight stitch.


4. You’ll want to brush or comb your fur both before you begin and after you finish your project.

Do you have everything that you need for your cozy winter projects? Stock up on supplies at Bernina Sew N Quilt studio, or shop online!