Fleece Structure Without Adhesive
The 987F Fusible Fleece is the go-to batting and structure solution for bags and quilted accessories. But there are applications where fusible adhesive is a disadvantage: projects involving fabrics that cannot tolerate iron heat, applications where the fleece layer needs to be repositioned during construction, and projects where the fleece will be integrated through sewing rather than fusing as the primary assembly method. Pellon 988 Sew-In Fleece provides the same soft, lofted polyester fleece body as the 987F but in a sew-in format -- basted or incorporated through seam allowances rather than fused with an iron.
When Sew-In Outperforms Fusible
Fusible fleece is convenient for most bag applications. Sew-in fleece is the right choice when: the fashion fabric cannot accept iron heat without damage (vinyl, leatherette, PVC, some metallics, heat-sensitive synthetic blends); when the construction sequence requires positioning flexibility that a fused layer would eliminate; when the fleece will be incorporated in the seam allowances without needing to bond to the fashion fabric face; or when the project's construction method is entirely sewn and ironing steps are to be minimized. In these cases, 988 provides exactly the same structural result without the thermal constraint.
Top 10 Uses for Pellon 988 Sew-In Fleece
- Vinyl and Faux Leather Bag Construction -- Cannot be ironed; sew-in fleece adds structure without heat damage.
- Metallic and Heat-Sensitive Fabric Projects -- Delicate surface coatings and metallic fabrics that would be damaged by fusible activation heat.
- Repositionable Fleece in Complex Construction -- When the fleece layer needs to be moved or adjusted during construction assembly.
- PVC and Laminated Fabric Accessories -- Waterproof and laminated fabrics cannot be fused -- sew-in fleece is the appropriate format.
- Hand-Sewn Projects -- Projects assembled primarily by hand that do not use iron in their construction.
- Seam-Allowance-Only Attachment -- Projects where the fleece is captured in the seam allowance rather than attached to the fabric face.
- Quilted Accessories With Specialty Fabrics -- When the outer fabric is any specialty material that cannot tolerate iron pressing.
- Lining-Only Integration -- Attach fleece to a lining piece that is then inserted into the bag without needing the fleece to bond to the outer fabric.
- Trial and Prototype Construction -- When testing a bag design where the fleece layer may need to be removed and repositioned before finalizing construction.
- Sewing Purists -- Quilters who prefer to sew rather than iron their stabilizers as a matter of technique preference.
988 vs. 987F: The Key Difference
987F Fusible Fleece: Iron-activated adhesive fuses to fabric. No stitching required to attach. Works on all iron-safe fabrics. The standard for most bag applications.
988 Sew-In Fleece: No adhesive. Attached through stitching or captured in seam allowances. Required for heat-sensitive fabrics. Same structural result, different attachment method.
Keep both in the studio -- they cover different application categories with the same quality fleece construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 988 washable?
Yes. The polyester fleece construction is washable on gentle cycle and tumble dry low, same as 987F.
What needle size works best when sewing through 988?
A standard 80/12 or 90/14 universal needle handles single fleece layers. For thicker sandwiches, step up to 90/14 or 100/16.
Shop Pellon 988 Sew-In Fleece
The non-fusible fleece for every project where iron adhesive is not an option. Same structure, no heat required.
