Fleece Fabric — Soft, Warm Fabric by the Yard | JOANN
Our anti-pill fleece is the go-to choice for blankets, throws, and cozy apparel that stands up to everyday wear. This medium-weight fleece resists pilling and maintains its soft hand wash after wash, making it ideal for projects that see frequent use. We offer hundreds of prints and solids in 58-60″ widths, so you’ll find the perfect color or pattern for baby blankets, hoodies, scarves, and home décor.
The no-fray edges mean you can create simple tie blankets without sewing, or use it in quilting and garment construction for a professional finish. Whether you’re crafting for kids, pets, or yourself, JOANN fleece delivers warmth without the bulk.
What makes JOANN fleece perfect for your next project
Fleece fabric construction and materials
JOANN fleece is woven from 100% polyester fibers that are brushed on one or both sides to create the signature plush surface. The anti-pill finish is applied during manufacturing to lock fibers in place and prevent the fuzzy balls that form on lower-quality fleece after washing. This finish doesn’t wash out or wear off, so your projects stay looking new season after season.
Our fleece is knit rather than woven, which gives it natural stretch across the width and excellent recovery. You’ll notice it springs back into shape after sewing and wearing, making it forgiving for beginners and reliable for experienced sewists. The same construction that makes our minky fabric so popular also ensures that fleece has a soft hand without the slippery drape of satin-backed options.
Sizing, yardage, and cutting fleece fabric
All JOANN fleece is cut from 58-60″ wide bolts, giving you generous width for most blanket and apparel projects without piecing. For a standard throw blanket, 1.5 to 2 yards is usually sufficient. Baby blankets typically need 1 to 1.25 yards, while king-size blankets may require 3 yards or more depending on your desired finished size.
When cutting fleece, use sharp fabric shears or a rotary cutter with a cutting mat for clean edges. Fleece doesn’t fray, so you don’t need to finish seams with serging or zigzag stitching unless you want a decorative touch. We recommend washing and drying your fleece before cutting if you’re making fitted garments, as it may relax slightly in the first wash.
Caring for and washing fleece projects
Machine wash fleece in cold or warm water on a gentle cycle with like colors. Avoid bleach and fabric softeners, which can break down the anti-pill finish and reduce the fabric’s softness over time. Tumble dry on low heat or air dry flat to preserve the plush texture.
Fleece dries quickly thanks to its synthetic fibers, so you can wash and reuse blankets and apparel in the same day. If pilling does occur after extended use, gently remove pills with a fabric shaver or sweater stone. Proper care keeps your fleece looking and feeling new for years, even with weekly washing.
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Fleece fabric questions from our crafters
Anti-pill fleece is our standard medium-weight fleece with a soft brushed surface on one side and a pill-resistant finish that keeps it looking new. Blizzard fleece is thicker and plusher, with brushing on both sides for extra warmth and a more luxurious hand. Both are 100% polyester and machine washable, but blizzard fleece has more loft and is best for winter projects or when you want a premium feel.
Anti-pill fleece works great for everyday blankets, kids’ apparel, and craft projects. Blizzard fleece is ideal for outerwear linings, cold-weather throws, and any project where extra warmth and drape matter.
For a standard throw blanket (approximately 50″ x 60″), you’ll need 1.5 to 2 yards of fleece depending on whether you want extra length or plan to add fringe. Our fleece is 58-60″ wide, so the width is already covered. Baby blankets typically require 1 to 1.25 yards, while twin-size blankets need around 2.5 yards.
If you’re making a no-sew tie blanket with two layers, double your yardage. For example, a throw blanket with fleece on both sides needs 3 to 4 yards total (1.5-2 yards per layer).
Yes, fleece is excellent for casual apparel like hoodies, vests, scarves, hats, and lounge pants. The fabric’s natural stretch makes it comfortable for everyday wear, and the anti-pill finish ensures garments hold up to repeated washing. Use a ballpoint needle and a slight zigzag stitch on seams that need to stretch, like sleeve and neckline seams.
Fleece doesn’t fray, so you can leave hems raw for a sporty look or fold and topstitch for a cleaner finish. It’s especially popular for kids’ clothing and outdoor layers because it’s warm without being bulky.
JOANN fleece is made from 100% polyester, which is naturally resistant to shrinking. You may notice slight relaxation in the fabric after the first wash as the fibers settle, but it won’t shrink significantly like cotton or wool. We recommend washing fleece in cold or warm water and tumble drying on low heat to preserve the soft texture.
If you’re making fitted garments, prewash and dry your fleece before cutting to account for any minor changes in dimension. For blankets and home décor, prewashing is optional since exact sizing is less critical.
Use a ballpoint or universal needle in size 80/12 or 90/14 for sewing fleece on a home machine. Ballpoint needles slide between fibers instead of piercing them, which prevents skipped stitches and holes. Pair your needle with all-purpose polyester thread, which has slight stretch and holds up well in the wash.
Set your stitch length to 3.0-3.5mm to avoid stretching the fabric as it feeds through the machine. If you have a walking foot, it can help feed thick layers evenly, but it’s not required for most fleece projects.
Absolutely — fleece is the best fabric for no-sew tie blankets because the edges don’t fray when cut. To make a tie blanket, layer two pieces of fleece right sides out, trim them to the same size, and cut 1-inch wide fringe around all four edges (about 4-5 inches deep). Tie each pair of adjacent strips in a square knot, working your way around the blanket.
No-sew fleece blankets are perfect for beginners, kids’ craft projects, and quick gifts. You can make a throw-size blanket in under an hour with no sewing machine required.
JOANN updates our printed fleece selection throughout the year with seasonal motifs, licensed characters, and exclusive designs. You’ll find holiday prints like snowflakes and pumpkins in fall and winter, floral and pastel prints in spring, and licensed characters from popular movies and shows year-round. Check in-store or online to see current availability, as prints rotate with the calendar and sell out quickly during peak seasons.
Licensed fleece is available in the same 58-60″ width as our solid fleece and features the same anti-pill finish for lasting quality.