Choosing the perfect winter sheet set can be impossible, if you don’t know your fabrics. We’ve simplified the search with this quick rundown of fleece and velvet plush facts...

 

With the holiday season upon us, and the New Year fast approaching, there’s never been a better time to update your home decor. Whether you're searching for that perfect sheet set or perusing stocking stuffers for friends and family, Great Bay Home is your one-stop shop for premium bedding and decor that won’t break the bank. The only question is, which fabric is the right choice for you?

From the super soft fleece sheet sets in our Christina Collection, to the ever-popular velvet plush bed sheets in our Velvet Luxe Collection, it can be hard to decide which winter sheet set is best for carrying you and your loved one’s off to dreamland.

To help you decide on your new favorite winter sheet set, we’ve taken a deep dive to answer some of your most frequently asked questions. Enjoy!

 

What kind of fabric is fleece

Fleece can refer to a wide variety of fabrics. Most commonly, fleece is associated with a lightweight insulating material, made from a type of polyester called polyethylene terephthalate (PET), cotton blends, and/or other synthetic fibers.

Introduced in the late 1970’s, fleece is often made from a variety of materials. Fleece fabrics are knit, then brushed to loosen the fibers and create a nap (raised surface) for a soft plush feel. Fleece is often lauded for its ultra-comfort, lightweight, and antiperspirant qualities--which allow for moisture to evaporate while reducing humidity.

 Fun Fact: Fleece is also a vegan alternative to wool.

 

What is fleece good for?

Due to its lightweight, warmth, insulation, and versatility, fleece is widely used for clothing--including sportswear, sweatshirts, sweatpants, jackets, and pants. Additionally, its cozy feel and plush softness make it an ideal fabric for bedding--including bed sheets, pillowcases, and blankets.

 

Are there different types of fleece?

Yes. In addition to being fashioned from a variety of materials, fleece fabrics have a wide number of uses, with varied traits. Below are some of the most common types of fleece and their applications. 

 

1. Cotton or cotton blended fleece - Mostly used for outerwear, such as sweatshirts and sweatpants. These fleeces have a smooth outer surface and a plush inner nap. Cotton blended fleeces, along with polyester blended fleece, make it the preferred choice for bedding.

 

2. Polyester fleece - The fastest growing of applications, polyester fleece garments are ever-popular and identifiable by a smooth outside, plush inside, and shiny

 

3. Microfleece - A double-sided fleece that’s both soft and Lightweight microfleece does an excellent job of wicking away moisture and retaining heat. Microfleece is the most popular choice for performance garments.

 

4. Polar fleece - Polar fleece is a much thicker and warmer alternative to microfleece--enabling it to retain heat much more efficiently. This advantageous heat retention makes polar fleeces ideal for blankets, heavy jackets, and colder climates.

 

5. Sherpa fleece - Sherpa fleece is 100% polyester and identifiable by its fluffy texture. Meant as an alternative to wool fleece, sherpa fleece is commonly used to line garments for added

 

Additionally, fleeces can have different textural properties such as varied levels of water resistance, pill resistance, heat retention, and breathability. For example, the 100% polyester fleece sheet sets from our Dara Collection are hypoallergenic, mite resistant, and woven for extra-softness, durability, and easy wash.

Fun Fact: Some other types of fleece include Lycra spandex, French terry, and Slub.

  

 

What is velvet?

Velvet is a type of woven tufted fabric, in which the cut threads are equally distributed with a short dense pile (raised surface). This weaving style gives velvet its famously soft touch, distinctively smooth feel, and rich texture.

Once primarily available to the rich and powerful, due to its expensive silk material, velvet is now mostly made using synthetic fibers. This shift in material has made velvet a popular option for jackets, pants, vests, blouses, bags, gloves, dresses, etc.

Velvet is essentially a woven cloth, woven as a double cloth, in which two pieces of fabric are woven together, face to face, with long threads. The fabric is then cut between the cloths with a sharp blade--creating a sumptuous pile. Like most popular fabrics, velvet is available in a variety of grades, shades, and colors.

 

What is velvet plush?

Velvet plush is a type of velvet, woven with a longer pile, with a 100% polyester backing. Heavier than most other velvet fabrics, the longer pile of velvet plush gives the material its signature soft feel, creates an easier to wash fabric, and makes it an ideal choice for bedding, covering, and as various upholstery.

For example, the berber velvet plush luxury throw blankets from our Pearl Collection, are ultra-soft, warm, breathable, and boast the classic velvet plush shine.

 

What is velvet plush good for?

The versatility of velvet plush makes it the ideal material for clothing, bed sheets, bed blankets, furniture covers, children’s toys, and just about anything else you can think of.

 

Are there different types of velvet?

Yes. Similar to fleece, there are many variations of velvet that are ideal for a multitude of uses. Check out some of the most common velvet applications below.

1. Cotton velvet - A medium to light weight velvet fabric, without This type of velvet is ideal for outerwear, like jeans or jackets, and can also be used for upholstery. The heavier and thicker fabric gives it a noticeably matte appearance.

 

2. Silk velvet - A super soft, velvet fabric with a long This variation of fabric is extremely light weight compared to cotton velvet and is often quite expensive.

 

3. Velvet microfiber - A new type of velvet, crafted from 100% micro denier polyester fiber--a microfiber with velvet qualities. Velvet microfiber is often used to weave casual wear, semi-formal attire, and upholstery. Velvet microfiber is notably stain resistant, water resistant, and easy to wash.

 

4. Embossed Velvet - A standard velvet fabric, notable for stamped or printed

 Fun Fact: Some other velvet materials include nylon, stretch, crinkled, panne, velveteen, and sticky back.

 

 

What’s the main difference between fleece and velvet plush?

The primary difference between fleece and velvet plush is this: Fleece is a lightweight textile fabric, made from wool or a similar blend of synthetic fibers, that’s great for insulation and heat retention in colder climates. Alternatively, velvet plush is a textile fabric with a cut nap or pile, giving the material its signature softness and distinctive shiny appearance.

 

Where’s the best place to buy my fleece or velvet plush bedding?

Great Bay Home, of course!

No matter which you choose, fleece or velvet plush, you can rest assured that you’ll find the perfect winter bedding right here at Great Bay Home. Check out our wide variety of sheets, blankets, and other bedding essentials to find your new favorite night time companion today.

 

As always…

We’ve Got You Covered,

--GBH