Sewing with thermal fleece: Review and experience
For a long time, I assumed the only things you could sew with thermal fleece were potholders and coasters. But that’s far from the truth! Thermal fleece can do more. You just have to know what matters!What is special about thermal fleece?
Thermal fleece is a type of batting that is usually sewn in rather than ironed onto the back of the fabric. It is a sew-in stabilizer. It differs from other sew-in stabilizers due to its insulating effect – for both hot and cold!How is thermal fleece used?
Thermal fleece is sewn into the sewing project. It acts as a cushioning and insulating layer between the outer fabric and the lining. To keep it from shifting while sewing, the trick with basting spray helps me.<
Thermal fleece and basting spray - how does that work?
To fix thermal fleece to the back of fabrics, I use temporary spray adhesive. This does not bond the two layers together permanently, but only for the duration of the sewing process or until the first wash. It then washes out without leaving any residue. This is what basting spray looks like:
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To spray on the basting spray (I have the one from Odif* in constant use. By the way, this is the manufacturer that also produces Odicoat. I show you how you can coat fabric with it in this post), I lay the fleece on a large piece of newspaper. Then I spray the edges and the middle of the thermal fleece in particular at the specified distance (usually 10 - 15 cm). This is exactly where I want precise adhesion.
Caution: Do not spray too much. Too much basting spray can leave stains on the fabric!
Which thermal fleeces are available and how do they differ?
I tested four types of thermal fleece.The classic: Thermolam* (also called Vlieseline 272)
Thermolam is a medium-firm batting. In a double layer, it is well-suited for potholders, oven mitts, seat cushions, and cooler bags. In a single layer, because of its compact structure, I like using it for placemats, mug rugs (we have a suitable sewing project for this here), organizers, and as a stabilizer for bags. It is 90 cm wide, consists of 100% polyester, and is washable at 30°C.
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The challenger: Thermo-Wunder-Fix*
I recently discovered this thermal fleece with the promising name. This is what Thermo-Wunder-Fix looks like:
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It also consists of 100% polyester, but is washable at 40°C. It is 180 cm wide, twice as wide as Thermolam. This is what the two rivals look like in comparison:
On the left is Thermolam, on the right is Thermo-Wunder-Fix.
Here I show the different thicknesses of the two types of fleece. Above is Thermo-Wunder-Fix at 3 millimeters, below is Thermolam – also stated by the manufacturer to be 3 millimeters thick.
With Thermo-Wunder-Fix, you can see that the fleece structure has fine holes. It is overall lighter and finer than Thermolam and cuts cleanly.
The image shows how thin Thermo-Wunder-Fix is. Nevertheless, it is quite stable.
I used it to sew our maritime mug rugs and I must say that I am really impressed. In terms of price-performance, the Wunder-Fix also comes out on top!
Thanks to its elasticity, Thermo-Wunder-Fix can be used to reinforce cotton fabrics as well as jerseys, wool fabrics, and synthetics. It is also suitable as an interlining for leather. As an embroidery backing, Wunder-Fix ensures that embroidery stitches are even and don't sink in. Because of its fine structure, you can simply tear it away after embroidering.
The outlier: Insul Bright*
Insul Bright comes from the USA. This is what it looks like:
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Unlike the previously mentioned fleeces, Insul Bright consists not only of polyester fibers but also a metal layer embedded in the polyester. You can imagine it being as thin as a space blanket.
Insul Bright is well-suited for both hot and cold. It is relatively thin, flexible, and very easy to cut, sew, and work with.
Insul Bright must always be used in combination with a second stabilizer. This can definitely be a cotton fleece. It is suitable for baby quilts, seat cushions, or sleeping bags. Because of its good insulating properties, you can also sew nice potholders or covers for teapots with it.
However, because of the metal layer, Insul Bright is not suitable for sewing projects intended for the microwave, such as potato cooking bags.
In the image, you can clearly see the surface structure and the metallic shimmer of the metal layer lying beneath the polyester.
The newcomer: Replacement ironing pad*
A really cool thing: a repurposed replacement pad for an ironing board! This is what it looks like:
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The ironing replacement pad is thicker than the other three thermal fleeces. To the touch, it feels like a sturdy felt fabric. At a full 6 millimeters thick, it stabilizes bag bottoms, insulates potholders, and keeps mug rugs in shape.
It comes in sections of usually 130*40 cm and is easy to cut and process. It doesn’t like direct ironing heat, but if fabric is placed over it, it handles steam ironing perfectly well.
The manufacturer provides no information regarding washability, but I wash it at 40°C.
The image shows how firm and compact the ironing pad is:
Can you also use cotton or soy fleece as thermal fleece?
Sure, that works! These two types of fleece are particularly well-suited as sew-in stabilizers because they are easy to work with and nice and flexible. Because they consist mainly of natural materials, they are overWhich thermal fleece for which sewing project?
Actually, anything that needs support and structure. Bags, mug rugs, decorative items, organizers, coasters, lunch bags, or potholders – but also stadium cushions, cooler bags, and gloves can be sewn with this great material!Did this post help you? Feel free to leave a comment! Happy simple sewing, your Sabine
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