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Minky plush fabric (right) versus fleece fabric (left)
Are you considering sewing with minky plush fabric or fleece fabric and are uncertain which is best for your sewing project? Are you wondering what the difference between fleece and minky plush fabric is? Don&#;t worry, you&#;re not alone &#; this is one of the most common questions we get asked here at Shannon Fabrics.
Even though we specialize in high-quality minky plush fabric, our goal is for you to walk away feeling excited about your next sewing project, so we don&#;t shy away from providing information on all types of fabrics, not just the ones we sell.
But before we get into comparisons, let&#;s first define what &#;minky&#; fabrics and &#;fleece&#; fabrics are.
Minky fabric, also known as plush fabric or microfiber fabric, is made from 100% polyester fibers that are knitted into fabrics of varying weights and pile heights. Most minky fabric is one-sided, meaning the plusher, fur-like texture is only on the top side.
Fleece fabric is also made from 100% polyester fibers, and like minky fabrics, they&#;re knit, but they have a much different skin feel. Fleece is generally two-sided, with the &#;fleece&#; texture on both sides.
Both fabrics have their pros and cons (and are similar in many regards), so here we&#;ve compared the two based on the following criteria to help you decide which you should personally go with.
- Cost
- Versatility
- Durability
- Care Instructions
- Construction
- Textures
- Colors/Patterns
- Issues
READ MORE: The 6 Best Minky Plush Fabric Wholesalers (Reviews/Ratings)
Minky Plush Fabric vs. Fleece Fabric
Cost
Minky plush fabric and fleece fabric prices vary greatly between brands, since each brand offers different fabric options at different levels of quality (and countries of origin).
The most basic minky plush fabric is usually a simple solid, and this entry-level minky fabric can be priced from $10/yard at retail to $20/yard at retail.
Fleece fabrics, on the other hand, have a bit more variance to their price range, ranging from $5/yard at retail for the lower-quality options, up to $25/yard at retail.
READ MORE: How Much Does Minky Plush Fabric Cost? A Guide to Minky Fabric Prices
Construction
As mentioned above, both minky and fleece are made with 100% polyester fibers that are knitted, not woven.
Knit fabrics stretch anywhere from 30 to 50 percent more than woven fabrics, which makes them more supple and perfect for applications that are worn or touched on a regular basis.
While available in two-sided options, most minky fabric has the plush feel on one side. Minky comes in several different widths, weights and pile heights depending on the collection.
Our bestselling Cuddle® 3 solids have a versatile pile height of 3mm, and we manufacture our ethical high-quality minky fabrics in Korea in certified (and regularly-inspected) factories that are free from child labor and negative reputations.
Fleece fabrics are always two-sided, and like minky, fleece is available in different widths, weights and pile heights. The most commonly available fleece option has a Medium/Heavyweight weight with a 59-inch width. We can&#;t speak to other brands&#; manufacturing processes, but be sure to research their country of origin and reputation before buying.
Versatility
Since both fabrics are knit, they&#;re great for all-day comfort and a variety of sewing projects.
Fleece was designed as more durable and lighter replacement for wool, so it has the scratchier, not-as-soft feel some people prefer. This fabric is preferred by outdoor apparel companies for its warmth (stays warm when wet, too) and durability, and fleece is commonly used for jackets, athletic garments, blankets, etc.
Minky plush fabrics are just as durable, but their heavier weight and higher pile have quickly been adopted by quilters and sewists for their cozy, ultra-soft feel with no break-in period. Minky fabrics are suitable for anything from apparel and baby products, to quilting, home decor, pet accessories, stuffed animals and more.
READ MORE: 9 Best Sewing Projects and Uses for Minky Plush Fabric
Durability
We&#;ve briefly touched on the durability of minky and fleece fabrics, but both are two of the most durable fabrics on the market, which makes them great for high-mileage pieces/garments.
Quilt binding is one of the areas on a quilt that gets the heaviest wear, and since both are 100% polyester, minky and fleece wear really well in this application. Not only that, it adds a softer finish to the edge of your quilt.
Minky and fleece both also work well as long-lasting wearable apparel, from jackets and coats, to hats, vests and scarves. Minky fabric especially has a great skin feel for all-day wearability, and the wide variety of colors can pull together a fun outfit.
Care Instructions
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Fabric Dinosaur Costume.
Since minky and fleece fabrics are 100% polyester, they won&#;t shrink or fade when run through the wash. Both require the same care instructions &#; wash on gentle with cool water in the washing machine (make sure laundry detergent doesn&#;t contain bleach), then remove and throw in the dryer on low heat.
Dry on low heat for about 10 minutes, then pull the fabric out to hang dry. Be careful not to overdry either type of fabric, as fleece will start to pill and you might lose the texture embossed on the minky fabric.
Textures
Minky plush fabric really outshines fleece fabric when it comes to texture. Even the plain solid options are softer to the touch than fleece, but minky fabric is also available in several different embossed options, including rose, marble, embossed, etc.
These embossed textures are heat-set into the minky fabric during manufacturing, and not only do they add a more stimulating skin feel, but they make any sewing project more visually interesting with their depth and design, too.
Colors/Patterns
This ultimately comes down to personal preference &#; both minky fabric and fleece fabric are neck and neck regarding colors and patterns. Both are available in virtually every solid color imaginable, and are also available in different prints and designs.
READ MORE:What is Minky Fabric? (Material, Textures, & Projects)
If you&#;re looking for something especially eye-catching, both fabrics look great digitally printed, which is the process of imprinting a custom high-resolution image on a fabric panel. We offer digitally printed Cuddle® minky plush fabric in both our Shannon Studio and Hoffman of California collections.
Issues
As with all fabrics, both minky and fleece have their quirks and issues, but oftentimes simply knowing the right technique can make all the difference when sewing with either type of fabric.
As mentioned, minky and fleece both stretch because they&#;re knit fabrics, and this can present somewhat of a learning curve when sewing with either.
Since our specialty at Shannon Fabrics is minky fabric, we&#;ve addressed this stretching issue in our post, Top 5 Minky Plush Fabric Problems, Concerns & Solutions (spoiler alert: pins!). We also answer other common minky questions, such as &#;can minky be used in a quilt?&#;, &#;is minky baby-friendly?&#; and &#;does minky fabric shed?&#;
Besides stretching and the other questions listed above, pilling is probably the most common fleece-specific issue (minky doesn&#;t pill), and this occurs mostly from abrasion, buying low-quality fleece or not following the care directions.
Next Steps
As you can see, both minky and fleece fabrics are similar (and different) in many ways, but only you know what criteria is a priority for you and your business. Both fabrics are durable, versatile and come in a wide range of colors and prints.
READ MORE:7 Must-Try Minky Fabric Sewing Tips
At Shannon Fabrics, minky fabric is our passion. Not only do we have more than a million yards of fabric in stock, we also have all the educational resources, tutorials and free patterns you need to make the most of sewing with this soft, irresistible fabric.
If you have any questions about minky fabric, or would just like us to send you more information, feel free to call our team of friendly no-pressure customer service associates at 323.234..
Or, to experience the joy of sewing with minky and plush fabric for yourself, use our store locator to find a store near you.
There are many different types of fabric, including natural and synthetic options. One of the most popular materials and, in some cases, often misunderstood fabric is viscose or rayon.
Below, we look at some of the key aspects of viscose and explore how it is used in clothing manufacturing.
What is viscose, and where does it originate?
Viscose fabric or rayon fabric is a semi-synthetic material and was first produced in . It was first used as a substitute for silk due to the similarities in drape and texture.
What is viscose material made from?
Viscose is made from wood pulp, typically from trees such as pine, beech and eucalyptus. The manufacturing process of viscose includes dissolving the wood into a pulp solution, which is then washed, cleaned and bleached. This solution is treated again to create fibres. The fibres are treated again to form regenerated cellulose that is spun into yarns for textile making.
Is viscose a natural material?
While viscose fabric is made from natural wood sources, creating yarns uses chemicals such as carbon disulphide and sodium hydroxide, making it a semi-synthetic material.
Viscose &#; the pros and cons
Viscose has long been used as a great alternative to silk. It&#;s cheaper to produce and blends well with other fabrics. Its lightweight composition drapes beautifully and has a soft texture, perfect for garment creation.
Here we explore the pros and cons of this versatile fabric:
Characteristics and pros of viscose:
- Lightweight
- Breathable
- Drapes
- Maintains shape
- Absorbent
- Comfortable
- Soft texture
- Durable
- Inexpensive
- Perfect for blending with other fabrics
Other slightly less positive traits of viscose fabric:
- May shrink when washed
- Material may weaken when wet
- Wrinkles easily
- Fibres may weaken due to exposure to light
While viscose has some negative aspects, the benefits outweigh these, especially when the material is washed and cared for correctly. However, one of the most significant talking points of viscose, and potentially one of the most important factors when choosing this material for garment construction, comes down to its impact on the planet.
Is viscose environmentally friendly?
The question - &#;how sustainable is viscose?&#; can be challenging to answer. Viscose is made from natural wood pulp. However, the chemicals used in the extraction of wood pulp to make yarns can be harmful to the planet. For this reason, it&#;s known as semi-synthetic fabric.
In recent years, manufacturers of viscose are taking steps to improve the production of this material and use cleaner methods throughout the process. FSC-certified forests are also playing a part in providing sustainably managed resources. Newer versions of viscose such as Lyocell are a sustainable fabric option.
Another plus side of viscose &#; it&#;s biodegradable.
What types of clothes are made from viscose fabric?
Due to the versatility and texture of viscose, it is a popular option in clothing production. Its silky feel is ideal for designing viscose dresses including floaty viscose maxi dresses.
The look of viscose material makes it perfect for casual wear and formal attire such as viscose shirts and viscose trousers.
Viscose is also highly absorbent, making it the ideal material for activewear, such as viscose leggings and sports tops.
Many garment producers use viscose in summer collections due to its lightweight, airy and breathable properties.
How does viscose compare to other fabrics?
Take a look at some of the significant differences between viscose and other fabrics.
Viscose vs polyester - what is the difference between viscose and polyester?
Many people consider polyester and viscose similar fabrics. However, there are some notable differences between the two.
- Polyester is a synthetic fabric. In contrast, viscose is made with natural fibres and synthetic chemicals, making it semi-synthetic.
- Polyester does not wrinkle as easily and dries faster.
- Polyester is more robust than viscose.
- Polyester does not shrink.
- Viscose is more likely to pill compared to polyester.
Viscose vs cotton - what is the difference between viscose and cotton?
Viscose and cotton are both made with natural resources, but there are some differences between these materials:
- Cotton is more expensive to produce than viscose.
- Viscose is weaker compared to cotton, especially if the material is wet.
- Viscose dyes more easily.
- Viscose drapes well compared to cotton.
- There are more production steps and chemicals used in viscose production compared to cotton.
What to consider before purchasing viscose fabric
When buying any fabric, there are several considerations to make the best choice, and viscose is no exception. Take a look at some of the main areas to explore:
Quality of viscose fabric
Viscose is a soft and lightweight fabric, which is typically comfortable against the skin. The material is durable and works well for many types of garments, including dresses, blouses and trousers.
Colourfastness
Viscose fabric can be dyed easily and holds the colour well.
Shrinkage
Every fabric shrinks differently, and one of the disadvantages of viscose is that it may shrink once washed. When purchasing viscose, consider buying extra fabric or pre-shrunk options.
Washing viscose and care instructions
Viscose is a fabric that requires special care when washing. Typically most viscose garments are hand-wash or dry clean only due to delicate fibres.
The future of viscose fabric
Viscose is a popular and inexpensive way to produce different types of clothing. While there are some questions surrounding its production and long-term sustainability as a fabric option, many clothing producers take steps to create cleaner and greener processes.
As a fabric, it is versatile and lightweight, making it an ideal option for garments. Plus, its similarities to silk create an affordable yet luxury substitute.
Research also shows the market has a projected growth rate of 4% over the period -, with key market trends indicating an increasing demand for woven fibres as a natural and biodegradable alternative to synthetic materials.
Viscose FAQs
Is viscose stretchy?
Viscose fabric is not stretchy or elastic. However, you can blend it with other materials such as elastane for a flexible composition.
Is viscose breathable?
Yes. Viscose is a breathable material, which makes it ideal for summer clothing.
Does viscose make you sweat?
Viscose is a lightweight, breathable material that doesn&#;t trap heat, so it should help reduce sweating.
Can you dye viscose?
Yes. Viscose is made from natural fibres so can be dyed.
Does viscose crease?
Viscose is a delicate fabric and creases easily. It is recommended to iron viscose at low temperatures or a the silk setting.
Is viscose vegan?
Viscose is technically vegan as it is made from wood pulp, a natural resource. However, some manufacturers use synthetic chemicals that may be harmful to the environment.
Are you interested in learning more about T-Rex Animatronic Dinosaur? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
