Fleece: Absolutely Confused! Fleece Experts...Where Are You??

[MissFormosa]

In typical fashion, I am so confused about fleece types. You could give me a complicated mathematical problem and I could solve it, but I can't figure out fabric! D'oh!

So far, looking at the board, I have seen so many types thrown around that now I am perplexed. There's alpine, polar, polar-tec, berber, sherling, pile, micro, anti-pill, etc, etc. I've been using veterinary fleece which has been fine, but I would like to try something else with the construction of the bigger cage. Veterinary fleece is expensive.

I read the thread by WindeSpirit on fleece types, but I am still confused.

WindeSpirit's Super Fleece Types Thread

I know I can go down to the fabric store or home store and buy a fleece blanket or a couple of yards of something, but how do I know I am buying the right sort of fleece? Some are fluffy, some are polar fleece, some are thin...ugh! (pulling out hair!) Most seem to be 100% polyester, but how do I know it will wick like a dream? I took a polar fleece sweatshirt from Old Navy that has been washed a million times and poured some water on it...the water ran right off. Then I tried a fleece blanket from IKEA I've had a while...same thing!

I wanted to go to JoAnn's today, but after looking at their site, I am hitting my head on my keyboard. They had anti-pill, blizzard, ultra-cuddle...can't there be some sort of standard naming?

I have also heard the brand "Malden Mills" thrown around. What is this? I saw their website, but again, they had all these fancy names and types, I was left saying "huh"? PolarTec 100, 200, 300, Power Dry, etc....argh!

Mill Direct Textiles

Malden Mills

I also saw a website from a company called "Rose City Textiles" that seemed to have every type of fleece ever made at decent prices, but I wasn't sure either. My guess for best fleece was the "mesh backed micro berber", "pile 1/4", "pile mesh backed".

Rose City Textiles

Oh my goodness, someone save me before I lose it!

[akstrohm]

There are some threads in the bedding section regarding other kinds, but if you're confused, I would just go with anti-pill fleece. It's easy to find, not too expensive, and works great. And as for the water not going through, remember that the fabric has to be washed with no fabric softener, drier sheets, etc. It will take several wash/dry cycles like this, and it will get better over time.

[Rnd210]

The thin Fleece would be fine most poeple use the Anti pill and polar fleece, any fleece would work as long as it is not to thick.

[jenniwat001]

Despite the tons of types of fleece it's surprisingly easy:

1: go to fabric store

2: check the 100% polyester fleece.

3: pick a colour and design you like

4: buy it, and always a little extra!

Anti-pil lasts a little longer, and the really fluffy stuff is hard to clean and the pigs might eat it but after that it's personal choice as to what you buy. I literally bought the one that I liked the best, it's plain cream but I like it! As for all the other stuff, its mainly for people who will use for clothing or camping purposes.

I hope this helps. I think I might go buy some more soon.

[gooberific]

Anti-pill has been most successful for me, and lasted the longest. (Sometimes, I swear just to spite me, overnight my two boys will poop under their water spout and then purposely drip the water, messy messy messy... so if I can't get that clean, I do just toss it or cut that piece into scraps.)

Nothing is going to wick water without something absorbent underneath it. So when you drip water (or some sprite if you're at the store testing it at first like I was), nothing will happen. It will sit there. Until you hold it against your t-shirt, then your t-shirt will absorb it through the fleece (supposing your t-shirt is cotton or at least a cotton blend, of course).

[lissie]

I just bought Blizzard fleece from Joann. It's on sale for $4.99/yard.
Also got some flannel to make cosies at $2.99/yard.

[MissFormosa]

Originally Posted by gooberific

Anti-pill has been most successful for me, and lasted the longest. (Sometimes, I swear just to spite me, overnight my two boys will poop under their water spout and then purposely drip the water, messy messy messy... so if I can't get that clean, I do just toss it or cut that piece into scraps.)

I swear, boars do the strangest things at night! I wake up and it looks like they had some sort of wild party!

Oooh...this is so helpful! It looks like so far, anti-pill is good.