1️⃣ GSM** / Oz per yard² (the #1 indicator)
If they list GSM or oz/yd², use this chart:
| Quality | GSM | Oz/Yd² | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ❌ Cheap Walmart fleece | 150–190 GSM | 4–5 oz | Pills fast, thin, peach fuzz |
| ✅ Medium “good” fleece | 220–260 GSM | 7–8 oz | Perfect for hats, prams, gloves |
| ⭐ Premium fleece | 280–350 GSM | 9–10 oz | Usually Polartec / outdoor fleece |
You want 220–260 GSM for hats, baby items, craft fair goods.
2️⃣ Description keywords that mean “good”
Look for:
- Anti-pill
- Double brushed / double-sided fleece
- Premium fleece
- Blizzard fleece
- Polartec
- Sweatshirt fleece (cotton/poly)
Avoid fleece listed as:
- Soft fleece
- Craft fleece
- Printed fleece with no GSM
- For tie blankets (often low quality)
3️⃣ Photos of the selvedge
Cheap fleece ≈ curly, fuzzy, loose selvedge
Good fleece ≈ tighter, cleaner edge
(Some Amazon sellers show this — surprisingly helpful.)
4️⃣ Patterns = riskier
Printed fleece is often:
- thinner
- single-sided
- lower quality
The exception: Joann’s Blizzard anti-pill prints (but cost more).
5️⃣ Price per yard is a clue
Here’s what REAL medium-weight fleece costs in 2025:
| Price per yard | Reality |
|---|---|
| $2–$4 | ❌ Walmart-grade cheap fleece |
| $5–$8 | ⭐ Medium-weight anti-pill fleece |
| $9–$16 | Premium Polartec / specialized fleece |
In my humble opinion(So if Amazon lists patterned fleece for $3.99/yd, it’s not good.)
✅ PART 2 — Home tests (10 seconds each)
Test A — The Pull Test
Grab a 2″ section, pull gently.
- If you can see light through it → cheap fleece
- If it stays opaque → medium or higher quality
Test B — The Brush Test
Rub the surface quickly with your fingernail.
- If fuzz balls appear immediately → cheap fleece
- If nothing lifts → anti-pill
Test C — Stretch Recovery
Pull cross-grain:
- Snaps back = good fleece
- Stays wavy and stretched = cheap fleece
Test D — Edge Curl
Cut a strip:
- Minimal curl = medium/premium
- Thin edges curl wildly = Peach Fuzz fleece
GSM = Grams per Square Meter
It’s the standard measurement of fabric weight and density, used worldwide for fleece, jersey knit, scuba knit, French terry, sweatshirt fleece, etc.
✅ **PART 3 — Why GSM matters for fleece
GSM tells you:
- How thick the fleece is
- How warm it will be
- How durable it is
- If it’s cheap or premium quality
It is the best way to compare fleece online when you can’t touch it.
🧵 Common GSM ranges for fleece
Here’s the fleece-quality chart again, but summarized:
| GSM | Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 150–190 GSM | ❌ Thin, cheap fleece | Walmart fleece, pills fast |
| 200–240 GSM | ⭐ Good medium weight | Best for hats, baby items |
| 250–300 GSM | ⭐⭐ Heavy anti-pill | Jackets, blankets |
| 320–400+ GSM | ❄️ Premium Polartec thermal | Outdoor gear |
✅ PART 4 — What Hobby Lobby Does Pretty Well — and Their Fleece Offerings
- Hobby Lobby does stock fleece (fleece, anti-pill fleece, “minky/faux-fur style fleece,” specialty fleece) in its fabric section. Hobby Lobby+1
- They sometimes offer “anti-pill fleece” or “plush/velvet-fleece / velvet-faced fleece / minky-style fleece,” which may be softer or more decorative than the thin craft-fleece versions. Hobby Lobby+1
- Because they’re primarily a craft-and-decor store (not a specialized fabric mill or wholesale fabric shop), their fleece stock tends to be more heterogeneous: you may get high-quality fleece, or you may get thin “craft fleece.” That means you must inspect carefully or test a swatch.
In other words: Hobby Lobby can have decent fleece — just like any store that carries “anti-pill” or “plush / sherpa / velvet-fleece” — but it’s a mixed bag.
What to expect at best: Soft-ish, plush-ish fleece or velvet-fleece for blankets, small items, or accents; maybe sufficient for hats or baby items if you choose carefully.
⚠️ What Joann (and Specialty Suppliers) Have (Had) Over Hobby Lobby — More Consistency & Better Options
- Joann explicitly labels different fleece types (for instance, “anti-pill fleece,” “plush fleece,” “blizzard fleece,” etc.) and in many cases has options meant for apparel / outerwear — not just crafts. JOANN+2Wayne Arthur Gallery+2
- Anti-pill fleece from Joann (and similar quality fleece sold by specialty suppliers) tends to be denser, warmer, heavier, and more durable than the typical “craft fleece” — which means it handles hats, outerwear, sewing with leather patches, and repeated wear/wash better. Ratropolis+2Clothing Digest+2
- Because of that density and durability, fabrics from Joann or specialty stores are more predictable — their GSM (weight), pile density, stretch recovery — qualities that better suit structured wearables (hats, baby gear, outerwear).
In short: with Joann (or specialty fleece suppliers), you have a better shot at medium-weight, reliable fleece — if you pick the right kind (anti-pill, plush, heavier fleece).
🎯 For Use with (Hats, Leather Accents, Craft-Fair Quality) — What That Means
- If you shop at Hobby Lobby: treat the fleece “like a gamble.” Grab a small swatch first (a half-yard). Test for thickness, stretch, nap, and see if it behaves like real fleece (not too thin). Good if you find a decent piece — but don’t assume all their fleece is good.
- If you shop at Joann or a specialist (or online specialty fleece supplier): prioritize anti-pill or plush fleece. That’s what will hold up to hats, sewing with leather, wash/dry, and customer wear.
- For craft-fair-ready items (baby hats, adult hats, bagged winter wear) — strongly prefer fleece described as anti-pill / mid-to-heavy weight rather than generic “fleece” or “craft fleece.”
PART 5 🔻 What happened to Joann and their fleece supply
- Joann filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and by the end of May 2025, all ~800 stores across the U.S. closed for good. NPR+1
- Their closing created a big gap in affordable, widely-accessible fabric supply (especially midweight fleece) for sewists and DIYers. KPBS Public Media+1
- As of mid-2025, Joann’s website was winding-down; online orders and normal restocks ended. WUNC+1
✅ PART 5 — Who’s trying to “replace” some of what Joann offered
- Michaels — the arts & crafts chain — recently bought Joann’s intellectual property and private-label brands, and has announced it will expand its fabric and sewing/quilting selection to try to welcome former Joann customers. Kiplinger+1
- According to their 2025 announcement, Michaels plans to roll out many sewing/fabric items — over 600 new “products” including quilting,/or fabrics, and supplies — though it’s unclear exactly how much of Joann’s former fleece inventory (bolt, anti-pill fleece, mid-weight, etc.) will reappear. Kiplinger+1
So Michaels is the main national-scale chain now claiming to carry the legacy of Joann’s fabric line, though as of now, it’s unclear how full and consistent their fleece offerings will be (especially mid-weight fleece suitable for hats and outerwear).
✅ PART 6 — What this means for FABRIC online!
- Don’t rely on Joann anymore — they’re gone.
- Check Michaels regularly, under their “expanded fabrics / sewing / quilting” sections, to see if they stock mid-weight or anti-pill fleece — it could be a convenient option.
- Still plan to use specialty and wholesale suppliers (or end-of-bolt / remnant sources) — these are more reliable for quality fleece (medium-weight, anti-pill, etc.) than general-retail fabric at big-box stores.
- Local/regional fabric stores and online wholesale/fleece-specialty shops are more dependable right now for sourcing good fleece, especially for your hat/baby gear business.
✅ PART 7 — Current Fleece Pricing at Several Vendors
| Vendor / Store | Typical Fleece / What Offered | Price / Yard or Bolt (when available) |
|---|---|---|
| Vogue Fabrics | Anti‑pill polar fleece, solid fleece, bolt pricing | ~$5.99 per yard for anti‑pill polar fleece Vogue Fabrics+1 — A full 12‑yard bolt costs $54.00 (i.e. $4.50/yd if you buy all at once) Vogue Fabrics+1 |
| Fashion Fabrics Club | Polyester printed polar fleece knit fabrics (good for hats, small items) | ~$6.00 per yard for many printed fleece options Fashion Fabrics Club Heavier “Polartec / Wind‑Pro” type fleece options listed around $10/yd in some entries Fashion Fabrics Club |
| Fabric Depot | Fleece fabric (printed, heavyweight/“Polar‑type”) | Some printed fleece at ~$6.00/yd; heavier “Polar‑type” options (Wind‑Pro / Polartec‑style) around ~$10.00/yd Fabric Depot+1 |
🧵 What That Means (Compared to What You Paid from SY Fabrics)
- Fleece from Vogue (if bought by the bolt) can be as low as ~$4.50/yd — very favorable if you need bulk yardage.
- For smaller purchases (by the yard), typical mid‑weight or “nice” fleece runs $6–$10/yard at these vendors.
- Your SY‑Fabrics haul at ~$4.19/lb is still super inexpensive compared to buying new yardage — but now you understand what “good fleece by yard or bolt” looks like in the market.
🎯 What to Watch Out For When Comparing Prices
- Printed fleece tends to be cheaper per yard but may be thinner; check for “anti‑pill” or “Polar fleece” labeling.
- Bolt pricing (buying 10–12 yards at once) gives better per‑yard rates — good if you plan a bigger project or want matching yardage for hats/sets/blankets.
- “Heavyweight / Polartec / Wind‑Pro / Sherpa‑backed” fleece tends to cost more (~$9–$12/yd), but is more durable and ideal for outerwear or structured hats.
- Always check width (usually 58–60″) and content (polyester, anti‑pill, brushed, double‑sided) — width affects yield per yard; finish affects quality and longevity.
✅ PART 8 — My Recommendation
Making hats, baby gear, and accessory‑type items (not big coats or lined jackets), look for:
- Mid‑weight anti‑pill fleece at ~$5.99–$8.99/yd — good balance of quality and price
- Printed fleece (for variety) — but only if it’s labeled “polar fleece” or “anti‑pill,” not “craft fleece”
- Bolt purchases if you need larger quantities (especially for matching sets), because per‑yard price drops significantly
So in principle, Michaels can carry fleece or mid‑weight fabric, depending on store.
⚠️ Why you can’t assume every Michaels will have good fleece
- Selection seems to vary widely — some store fabric sections are small, limited to quilting cottons & light-weight pieces. Charismatic Things+2Reddit+2
- Several fabric‑buyers / crafters in 2025 report inconsistent inventory: some stores have “some fleece or fabrics,” others have “nothing but scraps/fat quarters.” Reddit+2Reddit+2
- Because their store footprint is smaller (compared to the former JOANN stores), they may only carry limited fabrics, not a broad bolt‑based fleece selection. Charismatic Things+1
🎯 What to do when you visit Michaels to check for fleece
If you go to your local Michaels (or plan to), here’s what I suggest checking to see if they have usable fleece:
- Ask if they have fabric by the yard or bolt (not just pre‑cuts or scraps).
- Look for sections labeled “fabric,” “fleece,” “knit fabrics,” “polar fleece,” or a “Knit & Sew” setup rather than just quilting cottons.
- Examine what’s on the bolt/shelf — check thickness, weight, and feel (if allowed) to avoid “craft fleece / peach‑fuzz” types.
- If they only have small cuts/fat quarters, that may not be enough for hats or bigger items — then you keep looking elsewhere.
✅ PART 9 — My Take: It’s Worth Checking — But Don’t Bet On It
Michaels now has the potential to be a source of fleece — and for many stores, the new “Knit & Sew Shop” rollout likely means they try. However, availability seems spotty and inconsistent in 2025.
Given when making (hats, baby items, etc.), I’d treat any fleece at Michaels as a possible bonus — but I wouldn’t rely on it as a steady supply source. I’d keep wholesale / specialty fleece suppliers or remnant‑bolt sources as my main plan when I need quality fleece.