Thread: Mixing fleece and cotton fabric.....

I applique on fleece all the time. I embroider on it and do machine applique. Fleece handles it well and nothing pops though. The trick is to make sure you are using the correct stabilizer and also there is a topping for the top of the design which keeps the fuzzy's from poking through. The topping looks like plastic wrap. Ask at the store for it.

I have used fleece as a backing a few times, it works great, even with free motion meandering and stippling and yes, very forgiving on the back. I have tried applique but it stretched and looked pretty mishapen, though!

Fleece is generally polyester and very stretchy. I am a long armer and lately I've been inundated with polar fleece backlings and minky backings. Here is what I have figured out after much grief. Use poly thread in both bobbin and upper. Use a longer stitch, on the long arm I actually use an 8-10 stitch per inch length. And now this is very important...your first stitching line must be parallel to the selvedge, all the way through to the end of the quilt. This stabilizes it on the "not as stretchy" area. Then you may quilt in the other directions. If you plan to applique to the fleece, us a really strong stabilizer beneath the appliqués. Always keep it in the back of your head, STRETCH. And a walking foot is an absolute must on a domestic machine. Be sure and show us what you come up with!

Originally Posted by Michellesews

Fleece is generally polyester and very stretchy. I am a long armer and lately I've been inundated with polar fleece backlings and minky backings. Here is what I have figured out after much grief. Use poly thread in both bobbin and upper. Use a longer stitch, on the long arm I actually use an 8-10 stitch per inch length. And now this is very important...your first stitching line must be parallel to the selvedge, all the way through to the end of the quilt. This stabilizes it on the "not as stretchy" area. Then you may quilt in the other directions. If you plan to applique to the fleece, us a really strong stabilizer beneath the appliqués. Always keep it in the back of your head, STRETCH. And a walking foot is an absolute must on a domestic machine. Be sure and show us what you come up with!

Could you make us a tutorial with pictures?