Why do I need polyester fleece, sewing question?

Question

I'm making a purse from the pattron, simplicity 7161. I've been sewing for about 3 years, but I don't get why I would need this to make a purse, they want it for the body part of the purse. Help please

Answer 1

Simplicity's website seems to be down right now so I can't get a look at the back of the pattern envelope. Is this the only material they are suggesting? The bags on the front don't look like they are made out of fleece. Normally they would want you to use fleece to come out with a fluffy result, not crisp.

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Answer 2

The fleece is the interlining type, it's white or beige and it's sold with the interfacings. It's a non woven bonded fleece, it looks like some one took a hot iron to quilt batting and crushed it thin and fused it.   It's commonly used as the middle layer when making casserole carriers, trivets to protect tables and counters from hot items, coasters and placemats. It adds stiffness and padding.  In bags it's used as a soft interfacing to add a bit of stiffness to a bag and a bit of padding.  It's for soft shaping rather than stiff structure.  It's not polyester polar fleece, like the knit fuzzy fabric used for all and winter clothes.  I wish someone would come up with a clear and different name for polyester fleece used for underlining and interlining, these two are very often confused with each other!  If you can't find fleece interlining, use whatever you feel most comfortable using.

Answer 3

I tried to go to the simplicity site but my browser wouldn't go there.

The fleece is probably being used as a stiffener such as an interfacing, if being used in the inside.

Since you have already sewed alot, and don't feel the need to use the fleece and want to use a stiff interfacing material.

By all means use it.  Or substitute a quilted material as it would  be stiff enough to make the sides stand up also.

After all a pattern is just that and the design of the item is the sewer or creator.