Bamboo Fleece Fabric: A Sewing & Care Guide
Fabric made from bamboo is a fabulous addition to your sewing resources - and bamboo fleece is one of its most pleasurable forms. Bamboo fiber comes from a rigid, strong, and very fast-growing plant, which makes it a sustainable, ecologically friendly choice. But the appeal isn't only ecological: bamboo is a total pleasure to sew and to wear, with expert tips here from sewing instructor Shannon Gifford.
What is bamboo fleece fabric?
Bamboo fleece is a two-sided knit: one side is flat and smooth, the other is soft and fleecy. It's amazingly supple, buttery-soft, and has a beautiful drape. A handy feature for sewing - either side can serve as the "right" side of your garment, depending on the look you want, so you can build the smooth face or the cozy fleecy face into the outside of your project.
Characteristics
Bamboo fleece is supple and drapey with a gentle stretch, and it's warm without being bulky - which is why it's a favorite for cozy, casual layers. Because it's a napped (fleecy) fabric, it behaves like other fleeces at the cutting table: plan a with-nap layout so the nap runs the same direction across all your pieces.
What to make with bamboo fleece (pattern suggestions)
Sportswear and activewear are the sweet spot: hooded jackets, tees, tanks, casual pants, and skirts, plus bathrobes, PJs, and a baby (or grown-up!) blanket.
How to sew bamboo fleece
Pretreatment
Machine wash and tumble dry on low heat. Some bamboo fabrics need a little extra drying time - if you like, remove the fabric while still damp and lay it flat to finish drying.
Needles & thread
Use a jersey/ballpoint needle, size 11/75, for construction. Cotton, cotton/polyester, or all-polyester thread all work well.
Seams, seam finishes & hems
Construction (conventional machine): a small, narrow zigzag (2.0 width x 2.0 length) keeps the seam stretchy.
Seam finishes: zigzag over the raw edges, or use a stretch binding. On a serger, a 4-thread overlock both constructs and finishes the seam in one pass.
Hems: topstitch with a stretch twin needle (4.0/75), or use a coverstitch machine.
Interfacing
Your interfacing choice depends on which side you're using as the right side. If the fleecy side is the right side, apply a fusible lightweight tricot interfacing to the smooth side. If the smooth side is the right side, a sew-in interfacing works better - use swimwear mesh, lightweight tricot, or a thin knit.
Creative possibilities
To add color, use any of the dye techniques from the organic cotton or bamboo jersey guides. Another option is spray dye (the tee-shirt kind in a pump canister, similar to hairspray) used with a stencil - try spraying zigzags of color and layering passes to build up darker shades.
Caring for your bamboo fleece
Machine wash and tumble dry low; allow extra drying time, or pull it out damp and lay flat to finish. Keep a lint roller handy while cutting and run it over each cut edge to keep your work surface tidy.
Shop bamboo fleece
Shop bamboo fleece at EOS, or browse all knit fabrics and the eco-friendly fabrics collection. For a related cozy knit, see the bamboo jersey guide. Back to all fabric care guides.
FAQ
What is bamboo fleece fabric?
Bamboo fleece is a soft, drapey knit with one smooth side and one fleecy side, made from sustainable bamboo fiber. Either side can be used as the right side of a garment.
What is bamboo fleece used for?
Cozy, casual sewing: hooded jackets, tees, tanks, casual pants, skirts, bathrobes, PJs, and blankets.
How do you wash bamboo fleece?
Machine wash and tumble dry on low; it may need extra drying time, or you can lay it flat to finish drying while still damp.
Which side of bamboo fleece is the right side?
Either - choose the smooth or fleecy face based on the look you want; your interfacing approach changes depending on which you pick.