Polar Fleece

860 Views 19 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Nancy, Nov 7, 2008

AngieM2

Discussion Starter · Nov 7, 2008

I know - some may think this is a strange topic, but this stuff is GOOD to have.

Like last night - I had heater temp turned down as the 20% electric increase has hit my electric bill. While getting chilly trying to sleep, I got my trusty 2 yard by 60 inch wide piece of polar fleece and put in the top sheet position on the bed. Man! that stuff is cosy and warm without using any other electricity.

A few years ago I bought 5 or 6 --2-- or --2.5-- yards of various colors that were on sale at Hancocks or Walmart, etc. These are not sewn, not edged not anything, but used. They don't ravel, or mess up the washing machine and EVERYONE loves them and several have been adopted by family members.

I suggest look for a sale, get a piece and try it. (it also makes a good wrap around when you are getting into a nylon lined cheap sleeping bag on a camping trip).

Angie

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wyld thang

· #2 · Nov 7, 2008

good point! you can really increase the warmess of your bag by adding a liner.

Explorer

· #3 · Nov 7, 2008

I just bought two of these throws at Wally World for $3.00 each. They had a big bin of them.

AngieM2

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 7, 2008

$3 each ! That's a great price. Ladies (or gents) if you sew, these would make good fabric for robes for around the house. Or how about hanging over a doorway to keep the drafts down in an old house.

Or back it with a $2 space blanket (light stitching around the edges) then clip/hang over windows to hold back the drafts. An easy version of a quilted window shade.

Angie

MorrisonCorner

· #5 · Nov 7, 2008

Hmm... last year I hung a wool blanket as a curtain. It didn't work as well as I'd have liked: too heavy, too difficult to keep up, and impossible to keep clean. Polar Fleece might be a good alternative..

Jim-mi

· #6 · Nov 7, 2008

Explorer . .How big are those throws ??

Oh how I hate chinafarts, but if I need to enter the enemy camp for a very usable item then I might stoop that low.

I spect you could make quite a list of ways to use the PF.

farmergirl

· #7 · Nov 7, 2008

You guys have me thinking that those $3 polar fleece throws from WallyWorld would work for covering up our drafty mobile home windows this winter

I'm not much of a seamstress, but I think I could tack something simple together!

ailsaek

· #8 · Nov 7, 2008

I love polar fleece. We have a set of fleece sheets and a matching blanket, and come winter it's a struggle to get them off the bed and washed. I've also got a big trash bag full of large pieces of it that I got because someone else had them and didn't want them. I haven't decided what I am going to use them for yet, but I do consider them part of my preps.

AngieM2

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 7, 2008

farmgirl - go to the shower curtain section and get those clip type of shower curtain loops thingys (very technical I know

) then on a regular curtain rod (those white ones that don't cost much), put the rings on the curtain rod and place on the window, then just pinch and clip on the polar fleece. Get them all the same color pieces of polar fleece and you've got a co-ordinated upscale S&EP room.!

Angie

ailsaek

· #10 · Nov 7, 2008

rose2005 said:
Great idea Angie!

Definitely! I'd been planning on going out and spending real money on thermal drapes, but I think I'll go with your idea instead.

Explorer

· #11 · Nov 7, 2008

Those throes are about four feet wide by six feet long. There were several colors, red, blue and others. I went to get some cloth to cover insulating panels I am making out of high density foam. They were cheaper that any cloth they had. I don't shop WM much, but they are the only fabric place within 150 miles of me. I really do live in the boondocks of a boondock part of the state.

AngieM2

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 7, 2008

Polar fleece plain color is usually about $5 -6 a yard, Hancocks or Hobby Lobby. The fancy printed stuff usually about $8 - $9 a yard, so that's what makes these fleeced Explorer got a really good bargain.

Good shopping.

Angie

Trixters_muse

· #13 · Nov 7, 2008

I got lucky last year and hit a clearance sale where I bought several of those polar fleece throws for only $1 each. I keep them in my preps because they are so versatile.

I made my daughter a nice cape out of one and my son uses one in the winter as an extra curtain over his window and it does help keep his room draft free. I made my little niece a nap mat by sandwiching some quilt batting and an old blanket folded between one of the fleece throws. I sewed it down the side, attached another one across the bottom for a blanket to cover up with then attached a matching pillow with velcro. I added tie strings to the corners and now she has a soft, warm mat to play or nap on that can be easily rolled up and stored away and washes up in a snap.

CJ

· #14 · Nov 7, 2008

I agree. I use to be a die hard "purist" (cotton, wool, linen, etc) but polar fleece is amazing stuff. You can get it in anything from light weight to arctic weight.

It wears forever, is bullet proof in the w/d, and like said, it doesn't ravel! Angie

Ann-NWIowa

· #15 · Nov 7, 2008

A few years back I made myself a long sleeve, high neck, floor length housecoat out of polar fleece. Its better than a throw because I'm wearing it so it goes where I go. I often put it over my clothes when I'm sitting at the computer or on the couch. It keeps my arms warm which a throw doesn't unless you're sitting quietly with your arms under the cover.

ovsfarm

· #16 · Nov 7, 2008

I like polar fleece also but have a couple of cautions to mention.

First, it is horrible to wear to the barn or deep woods. It picks up every little speck of hay and grain chaff and if burrs get in it, you might as well throw it out. You can pick out the larger stuff from the top, but those little prickles that are down in the material are impossible to get out. So when you wear it later there's always some little pokey bit irritating you. You also have to be careful not to put it into the washer with other clothes that have chaff or burrs on them.

Secondly, keep in mind that it is not flame resistant. If exposed to fire, it melts and gives off toxic plastic fumes. So not the thing to wear as you cozy up to the campfire or open fireplace, nor while cooking. If it is made up into children's sleepwear, I think by law they have to treat it with chemical flame retardant, which some believe is very toxic to the children it is supposed to keep safe.

On the good side, I have a sweater type thing from Eddie Bauer ($1.00 Goodwill find) that seems to be made from a double layer of very dense polar fleece. It is incredibly warm and very light. It is great to create loft between your long undies and a wind resistant shell.

It is also very easy to sew since the edges are "self healing". Last winter I recycled some scraps from a friend and made toasty warm pillow cases for all our beds.

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farmergirl

· #17 · Nov 7, 2008

AngieM2 said:
farmgirl - go to the shower curtain section and get those clip type of shower curtain loops thingys (very technical I know ) then on a regular curtain rod (those white ones that don't cost much), put the rings on the curtain rod and place on the window, then just pinch and clip on the polar fleece. Get them all the same color pieces of polar fleece and you've got a co-ordinated upscale S&EP room.!

Angie

Great idea! Thank you.

farmergirl

· #18 · Nov 7, 2008

Explorer said:
Those throes are about four feet wide by six feet long. There were several colors, red, blue and others. I went to get some cloth to cover insulating panels I am making out of high density foam. They were cheaper that any cloth they had. I don't shop WM much, but they are the only fabric place within 150 miles of me. I really do live in the boondocks of a boondock part of the state.

What are your making the insulating panels for? Windows? I'm wondering if something like that would help in our mobile home. We only get really cold for about 3 months, so it would be something just for that time of the year.

beaglebiz

· #19 · Nov 7, 2008

check out this link
http://www.exploringwomanhood.com/homelife/ideas/pom-jan03.htm
I bought lots of fleece on clearance in the spring, and my kids are making these for gifts

Nancy

· #20 · Nov 7, 2008

My son and his wife made DH one of those blankets as was referenced in the previous link. DH is always cold. I love it more than he does

They are great.

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