Minky is an ultra-soft, stretchy knit fabric that is similar to fleece, but cozier. Minky, like fleece, faux fur, and velvet, has a “pile”-raised loops or strands of fibers that give the fabric a textured look and plush feel. The pile length in Minky fabrics can range from very short to ½ inch or longer.It is made of pure polyester and is applicable mainly in crafting winter blankets.
This luxurious fabric is perfect for any sewing project that needs a soft and cozy touch.
What Is Minky Fabric Made Of?
This fabric comes from synthetic fibers that are either very plush or similar to microfibers or both. It is supposed to be the best quality polyester material you can get. On top of that, these fibers are supposed to be super soft and very comfortable next to your skin.
What that means is that Minky is made from petroleum products and other chemicals. These tiny synthetic fibers are knitted together to form the soft fabric we know as Minky.Then the process to spin those ingredients will be similar to other polyester fibers except that care is given to make sure that top-quality softness is achieved.
When Minky fabric is knitted, the plush, fur-like pile is usually formed only on one side of the fabric. Unfortunately, it is not a perfect fabric , its tendency to curl when sewing or producing a lot of fuzz makes it hard to keep the fabric where you want it or even cut it properly.
When it comes to durability, don’t let the soft feel of Minky fabric fool you-the polyester fibers used to construct Minky are very strong. This makes it a very durable and long-lasting fabric, perfect for projects that will see a lot of wear and tear.
What Is Minky Fabric Used For?
Minky fabric is most popular for use in blankets. It’s extremely soft and warm, making it great for a cozy blanket. Minky is a wonderful choice for baby blankets because the soft fibers are comfortable and won’t irritate a baby’s skin.
While blankets are the most common use for this fabric.It’s an interesting and unique option for home decor projects such as throw pillows or couch covers.
It can also be used in apparel sewing projects. Try sewing a fluffy Minky cardigan, vest, scarf, or hat,minky fabric especially has a great skin feel for all-day wearability, and the wide variety of colors can pull together a fun outfit.. Minky is also a fun alternative to a regular lining in outerwear such as coats and jackets.
Types Of Minky Fabric
There are quite a few different types of Minky fabric available, making it easy to find the right Minky for your project.
Here are a few of the most popular kinds of Minky fabric.
• Smooth Minky:
Smooth Minky has a short pile that is all the same length across the surface of the fabric. This is a versatile option with a smooth feel, great for blankets, pillows, and more.
• Minky Dot:
Minky dot fabric also has a uniform, short pile length, but has raised circular spots across the surface of the fabric. These raised spots are formed by puckers in the fabric, not a difference in pile length. Minky dot has a unique, cutesy look and is a very popular option for baby blankets.
• Minky Rose Swirl:
Minky rose swirl has a slightly longer pile length than smooth Minky or Minky dot. The pile is swirled into what looks like a rose shape at regular intervals across the fabric. It’s a beautiful, elegant version of Minky fabric that is perfect for throw pillows and other home decor projects.
How To Care For Minky Fabric?:
Another reason Minky fabric is so popular is that it’s very easy to care for. Minky fabric is machine washable and dryable. Simply wash your Minky on the gentle cycle with cool water. Once washed, it can be tumble dried with low or no heat. To preserve the life of your Minky fabric even longer, it can help to hang dry your fabric instead of tumble drying.
In addition, Minky fabric does not shrink or fade since it’s made from 100% polyester fibers. This means that there is no need to prewash before sewing with Minky.
Minky can be washed often to clean away any oils that might have transferred from the skin to the material.
