Nothing beats fleece for winter clothing and blankets. It is soft, cozy, warm, lightweight, and durable. It is good for toys, pillows, and craft projects too. But finding the right side of fleece can be confusing because typically both sides look the same.
The quickest way to tell which side is the right one is by the color and smoothness of the surface. But there are more reliable ways like noticing the folds in selvage and cutting edges.
How to Tell the Right Side of Fleece
When you plan to make something with fleece, you need to find the right side first. But how to tell which one it is? Here are some suggestions about how to find the right side of the fleece.
Way 1: By Smoothness of the surface
You can easily tell which side is the right one by the smoothness of the surface. For standard fleece, the right side is kind of nubbly and soft. The wrong side is typically smoother than the right side. Anti-pill fleece usually looks this way.
For blizzard fleece, there is not a visible difference between the right and wrong sides because both sides are smooth. This type of fleece is a good choice when you want a smooth surface.
Way 2: By Color and Pattern
The right side of the fleece is brighter than the wrong side. When you compare the two sides, you will notice that the colors on the wrong side are faded. Whereas, the colors on the right side look bolder and brighter. If the fabric has a distinct pattern, the wrong side usually looks pale while the pattern on the right side looks more prominent.
You should keep in mind that the lighting needs to be bright when you compare the two sides, otherwise, both sides will look the same. It is better to do the comparison in bright natural light or in daylight to find out the difference correctly.
Way 3: By Selvage
Sometimes smoothness and color are not a good way to find out the difference between right and wrong sides. Because the difference in color or pattern can be hard to spot due to the lack of proper lighting. In this case, the best way to find the right side is by selvage.
Just like other fabrics, fleece has two selvage edges that run across lengthwise. In fleece, you will notice that the selvage edge is usually folded to one side. The side that the selvage edge rolls into is the right one.
Way 4: By Cutting Edge
Sometimes, in some fleece, the selvage edge is no longer folded. In this case, you can use the cutting edge to find out the right side. The cutting edge is the stretchy edge that runs perpendicular to the selvage.
When you locate the cutting edge, pull and stretch the fabric slightly using your hand. You will notice that the edge curls towards one side. This time, unlike the selvage, the edge naturally curls into the wrong side, which means the opposite side is the right one.
Way 5: By Label
Like other fabrics, sometimes you will notice the name of the manufacturer on the fleece. The names are labeled on the selvage of the fabric. Usually, the labels are located on the right side.
Why You Need to Find the Right Side of Fleece
It is important to know the right and wrong sides of the fleece, especially when you are using it to make a garment or a blanket. On the other hand, if you use fleece for toys, craft projects, throws, etc. the right and wrong sides do not make a difference that much.
Sewing the fabric properly on the right side will make a fit and fine-looking garment. Besides, the right side of the fabric resists pilling when washed.
Conversely, the wrong side of the fleece has a faded color and a bland pattern. That means sewing on the wrong side will make your garment look bland and dull. Moreover, if the garment is sewn on the wrong side of the fleece, there is a possibility of pilling after washing the fleece. Especially, the pilling is noticeable significantly after several washes.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
1. What is selvage?
Answer: Selvage is a narrow, tightly woven border that runs along the lengthwise edges of the fabric. It is a self-finished edge that doesn’t require further finishing work. Selvage stops the edges of the fabric from raveling or fraying.
2. How can you tell if a fleece is anti-pill?
Answer: Anti-pill fleece has a smoother surface compared to other variants. This type of fleece has a heavier gram weight, as a result, it feels thicker. Anti-pill fleece is on the expensive side of the choice.
3. What is the wrong side of fleece?
Answer: The wrong side of fleece is the one that has a smoother surface. Usually, in anti-pill fleeces, the wrong side has a pale color and a less prominent pattern.
Last Words
It is quite easy to tell which one is the right side of the fleece when you know the process. But you should keep in mind that sometimes you will not be able to differentiate by color, smoothness, and labels. The best way to do this is to notice the curl on the selvage edge and the cutting edge.
Leave a Reply