Features and types of fleece footer
Today in stores you can often find items from the footer. This fabric is gaining more and more popularity. The principle of its manufacture is lined weaving, in which purl threads are additionally knitted into the main thread. Today, the footer is actively used in the light industry for sewing clothes.
Peculiarities
Things made from footer are not only convenient, but also comfortable for the body. This is because the footer is nothing more than a pleasant-to-touch cotton jersey fabric. It is smooth in texture on the front side, and soft and fleecy on the seamy side. Unlike fleece, which is made entirely of polyester, the basis of a footer is usually 100% cotton. That is, the fleece is actually a synthetic wool, and the footer is a cotton jersey. Due to its natural composition and good heat retention, the footer is warmer than fleece. Therefore, when choosing a warm fabric, it is better to give preference to a footer.
Synthetic fibers are also added to various types of this material. They make the fabric warmer, stronger and more durable. However, their percentage in the material is small. It must be remembered that high-quality fabric is at least 90% cotton. The density of the fabric can be in the range of 170-350 grams per meter, depending on what percentage of synthetic raw materials the material contains. However, in any case, the footer, in comparison with cotton, is designed for a longer period of operation.
Basically, the following raw materials are added to the material:
- woolen fiber - it makes the footer warmer, this fabric is well suited for sewing outerwear;
- polyester or lycra - a footer with the addition of these threads is more elegant and wear-resistant, it is better to sew casual clothes from this material.
Production
Such a fabric is made on a loom using two types of threads - a smooth warp thread and a weakly twisted lining thread. The regular thread forms the warp of the fabric on the right side, and the thread from the footer is used to make the inside of the brushed fabric using the buttonhole broach. That is why this material is also called loop footer or loop footer. The fabric making process consists of two stages - first, the main fabric is knitted with loop broaches, and then loose footer threads are added.
Varieties
The fabric is available in several varieties, depending on how many threads were used to make the material.
- Single strand footer - is the thinnest material and is 100% cotton. It is usually used for sewing diapers, as well as romper, overalls, and other clothing for newborns. Due to the fact that the fabric retains heat well and is soft, during use, no creases are formed, which can give the baby unpleasant sensations. The footer, which is used for children's things, can be printed, that is, contain patterns and combinations of different colors.
- Double-thread footer - this fabric is of medium density. Often made from mixed raw materials with the addition of lycra or polyester. Synthetic fibers give fabrics elasticity and dimensional stability. Children and home clothes, sports suits are sewn from this fabric.
- Footer-three-thread - for the manufacture of such fabrics, additions in the form of wool or synthetic fibers are also used. Due to this, the three-strand footer is the most dense and has a thick pile. That is why this material is indispensable in the production of outerwear, turtlenecks, sweatshirts, warm home clothes.
- Brushed footer - thermal underwear and overalls for children, as a rule, are sewn from this fabric. In things made of this material, the skin breathes due to the dense pile, which perfectly retains heat inside. Gray melange is the most popular type of such footer. It is a material composed of 80/20 percent cotton and synthetic fibers, respectively. It is used for the production of tracksuits and outerwear, since this fabric is non-marking.
Additionally, the types of footer are distinguished depending on the method of its manufacture. The difference between these types of fabric is their wear resistance.
Basic types:
- singing;
- boxing ring;
- open
Cheaper products are made from opennd material. Such things look worse outwardly, are much less durable and are cheaper in cost. Also, many manufacturers are trying to reduce the cost of fabrics through the use of cheap dyes and artificial fleece. Such products quickly lose their presentation after the very first wash - the color fades, and the fleece in the form of a glued cotton layer crumbles. Things made of artificial materials do not have any useful properties.
How to take care of your products?
Since the footer is a natural fabric, it needs special care. It is especially important to observe the temperature regime when washing. Otherwise, the product from the footer may deform or lose its properties. In this regard, it is better to buy things from the footer one size larger. If the product shrinks, it can continue to be worn despite this. In order for the product to serve for a long time, the following rules for caring for it must be observed.
- Temperature mode of washing. The machine wash of the footer should be carried out at a temperature not exceeding 30 °. An increase in temperature to 50 ° is permissible if the fabric is very dense - more than 300 grams per meter.
- Hand wash of fabric is also allowed. But it is not recommended to boil footer products, as the fabric may be damaged.
- Before starting the product in the washing machine, it must be turned out seamy side inward. This will protect the fleecy part from damage from interaction with hard objects - buttons, fasteners, etc.
- Caring for colored and white things. The white footer can be washed with simple powder, but black or colored fabrics require special care in the form of delicate gels or powders. This will help maintain the color and appearance of the item.
- Spin. Footer items can be machine-spinned even at high speeds. The material will not be affected by this.
- Drying. When drying, it is important to avoid exposure of the fabric to ultraviolet rays. For this, things should be dried naturally in the shade.
- Ironing. If the fabric is thick, you can use the "cotton" ironing mode. If the density of the material is less than 200 grams per meter, then it would be better to choose the delicate mode. To iron the product from the wrong side and not damage the pile, it is better to choose the “silk” mode.
Advantages and disadvantages
Footer products are gradually becoming very popular in the light and textile industries. High-quality material, easy maintenance and low price make them attractive to buyers. Consumers call the following characteristics the unambiguous advantages of the fabric.
- Naturalness and environmental friendliness. The natural composition of the fabric makes it suitable for sewing children's clothing. In addition, the material is hypoallergenic and does not irritate the skin.
- Air exchange. The fabric allows oxygen to circulate and keeps warmth well inside. Due to this, there is no feeling of stuffiness in footer products.
- Hygroscopicity. The footer absorbs moisture well. It is logical that clothes for sports and outdoor activities are sewn from a footer.
- Elasticity. The fabric stretches well, does not restrict movement. At the same time, in the process of wearing, the product does not stretch and does not lose its original shape.
- Wear resistance. The material is durable and resistant to mechanical damage. In addition, the pile of the material can withstand repeated washing well. Pills and other irregularities that spoil the appearance are not formed on the fabric.
- Ease of maintenance. To preserve the presentation, footer products do not require overly complicated care rules.
- Price. Footer products are available at a price to any buyer.
In addition, the fabric is easy enough to handle at home. That is, to sew clothes from the footer on your own, you do not need any special devices and tools. It will be enough to use a needle to work with knitwear. The disadvantages of the footer include intolerance to ultraviolet radiation and high temperatures. The fabric is destroyed by direct sunlight, therefore it is recommended to dry it in a dark place after washing. Failure to comply with the washing cycle (temperature above 30 °) may distort the fabric. In addition, it is also better to dry products away from batteries or heaters.
Subject to all these rules, the product from the footer will last a long time and will not lose its presentation even with prolonged use.
For information on how to sew brushed footer clothes, see the next video.