Have you ever seen a baby blanket made from a soft, furry fabric? You may be wondering what that fabric is so that you can use or purchase it for yourself. The most common name for the fabric is minky, and it is loved for many reasons. But what is minky fabric exactly?
Minky fabric is a plush fabric made from 100% polyester. It is a version of fleece that is used primarily to make baby blankets and other baby items. The fabric is warm, soft, and sometimes resembles faux fur.
Can you use minky fabric for more than just baby items and is it actually safe for babies? What are the properties of minky fabric? Are there different types of minky fabric? Hopefully, this article will answer any questions you may have about minky fabric and how to use it.
What is Minky Fabric?
Minky is a luxurious fabric made from polyester or microfibers. It is considered to be a super-soft version of fleece. Fleece fabric was designed to be a synthetic version of wool, so minky fabric resembles wool. But, minky is much softer and thicker than wool.
The fabric comes in many different colors. It can have different textures as well and can be purchased in different weights and pile heights. But no matter which version of minky fabric you choose, they are all extremely durable, soft, and have a fuzzy feel to them.
Is Minky Fabric the Same as Cuddle Fabric?
You may sometimes hear of a material being referred to as cuddle fabric. That material is minky fabric, and there is no difference between minky and cuddle fabric. Minky is also called cuddle fabric since it is so warm, soft, and good to cuddle with. That’s also why it is so popular to use for baby products.
What Is Minky Fabric Made Of?
Minky fabric is made from 100% polyester microfibers. Because of this, it is considered to be a synthetic fabric. Synthetic fabrics are made from plastic, but the plastic is engineered in different ways to give it certain characteristics.
Characteristics of fabric are also determined by how the fibers are woven together. In the case of minky fabric, fibers of varying lengths have been knitted together. The various lengths of the fibers account for the differences in weight, thickness, and pile of certain types of minky fabric.
Most of the time, when you buy minky fabric, you’ll find that it is only soft-textured on one side of it. When used to make blankets and other products, the backside of the fabric is usually sewn together with another type of fabric, such as cotton. The minky side of the fabric is meant to be held closer to the skin.
Types of Minky Fabric
Because minky fabric can be made in so many different ways, there are different types of minky fabric that have slightly different designs and textures. The pile length on each of these varies slightly, which is part of what makes up the different textures. There are five main types.
Smooth Minky
This is the generic type of minky fabric. It has a signature soft minky texture without any extra details or designs.
The fabric pile is consistent across the fabric. It comes in a variety of different colors.
Dimple Dot Minky
This type of minky fabric has raised bumps or dots across the surface of the fabric.
The dots are made by using extra microfibers to give the fabric an interesting texture.
It comes mostly in solid colors and is very common to make baby blankets out of.
Ribbon Minky
With ribbon minky fabric, some of the fibers are shaved or cut out in a specific pattern.
Doing so forms ridges across the surface of the fabric. Ribbon minky fabric will somewhat resemble corduroy fabric in appearance and texture but will be much softer.
Super Plush Minky
Super plush minky is made with extra layers of microfibers to give it the softest feel of any minky fabric.
The fabric will feel very fluffy and bears a close resemblance to faux animal fur.
Print Minky
Print minky fabric has all of the characteristics of smooth minky fabric.
It doesn’t have any extra texture. But instead of coming in solid colors, the fabric has a design on it.
Common designs include animal print, florals, and tie-dye, among others.
What Are the Properties of Minky Fabric?
There are many reasons why minky is such a well-loved fabric. Like any fabric, minky does have a few cons. For example, minky fabric is synthetic, so it isn’t the most eco-friendly. And being made from plastic fibers means that the fabric can become damaged due to heat, so you have to be careful when you wash it.
But, there are many good things about minky fabric that far outweigh the cons. I’ve already mentioned how warm and soft the fabric is. But even though it is a warm and soft fabric with a furry texture, it is still very lightweight.
Even though you have to be careful not to use heat when you wash and dry minky fabric, it is easy to care for otherwise. The fabric doesn’t shrink, so you don’t have to worry about that. And because it is a knit fabric, it is stretchy as well.
Because it is considered to be a more luxurious fabric, minky does cost more than some of the other fabrics that you can buy. But the fabric is versatile and comes in so many different varieties, colors, and prints. And with all of the additional pros that I’ve mentioned, it is easy to justify the cost.
Is Minky Fabric Safe for Babies?
One of the most common uses for minky fabric is for baby products, so it makes us wonder whether it is safe for babies. Minky is safe for babies because it will keep them warm and it feels soft against their skin.
Even though it does have a furry texture, the fabric is lightweight, so it won’t be too heavy to use with a baby. And since the fabric is similar to wool without actually being wool, it won’t cause the baby to have an allergic reaction. Minky blankets also dry quickly, are easy to clean, and are stain-resistant..
What Is Minky Fabric Used For?
As I mentioned, one of the most common uses for fabric is for baby minky blankets. But minky fabric is used for many other baby products as well, including stuffed animals, car seat covers, and clothing. When used for baby items, minky fabric is usually paired with cotton or another fabric such as polyester and used as a lining.
Minky fabric can also be used for products that are designed to keep you warm. Examples include blankets, pillows, scarves, hats, slippers. For these items, they can be used by themselves or as a lining.
How to Sew Minky Fabric
Sewing with minky fabric can be a little tricky due to the texture of the fabric. If you have a sewing project that you want to use minky for, here are some tips that can help you be more successful.
- Since minky fabric doesn’t shrink, you don’t have to pre-wash it. But if you’re going to pair it with another fabric that is prone to shrinking, such as cotton, it’s a good idea to pre-wash the other fabric.
- When you cut the fabric pieces, use sharp shears since the fabric is bulky. You should also be prepared for it to shed some along the line where you cut it.
- The best type of needle to use is a medium-size universal or stretch needle. And the polyester thread is the best to use since minky fabric is made of polyester as well.
- Minky fabric moves a lot when you sew it. Use pins to hold it in place against the other pieces of fabric.
- When using a sewing machine, use a walking foot to keep the fabric from stretching. Place the minky fabric on the bottom when sewing it with another fabric.
- Since minky fabric is stretchy, it is best to use a stretch stitch and longer length.
- Give a wide seam allowance when sewing minky fabric. Usually, ½ inch seams are recommended.
- Lastly, minky fabric will leave behind a fuzz when you sew with it. Be sure to thoroughly clean your sewing machine after use.
How to Care For Minky Fabric
Minky fabric is easy to take care of and doesn’t require a lot of special care. You can wash it in the washing machine. The key is washing it correctly to help maintain the softness and warmth and the fabric.
Since heat can damage the fabric by melting the fibers, it is best to use cold water. You should also wash minky fabric by itself to keep the fibers from rubbing up against other fabrics and help maintain softness. You can use a regular or mild detergent, but do not use fabric softener. A fabric softener can make the fabric less soft because it coats the fibers.
Do not put minky fabric in the dryer to dry it. The fabric dries quickly, so you can hang it up or lay it flat to dry. If you need to fluff the fabric, you can put it in the dryer but you should only use the air fluff cycle. Minky fabric also doesn’t need to be ironed often. But if you do need to iron it occasionally, use the cool iron setting only.
Minky vs Fleece: What is the Difference?
There isn’t a huge difference between minky and fleece. Both of them are made from 100% polyester and are knit fabrics. There are many different versions of fleece fabric. Minky is considered to be a type of fleece. The main difference between minky and fleece is that minky is only textured on one side. Other types of fleece are textured on both sides.
Where to Buy Minky Fabric?
Minky fabric can be purchased anywhere that other fabrics are sold. Reputable stores such as Joann Fabrics, Hobby Lobby, and Walmart all sell minky fabric. Of course, the types of minky fabric will vary by store.
You can also purchase minky fabric online from retailers such as Amazon or wholesale fabric shops. There are also online companies that specialize in selling just minky fabric. You shouldn’t have any problems finding minky fabric that is available for purchase.
Popular Products Made from Minky Fabric
Baby Minky Blanket
This baby blanket is made from dimple dot minky fabric lined with sherpa fleece for extra softness and warmth.
The blanket comes in 8 different varieties, most of which have the dot texture. But there are other textures and even a print version as well.
It can also be purchased in two different sizes, so you can buy the smaller one or, the larger one to use as the baby grows. The blanket is not only warm but breathable and well. And it is machine-washable, so caring for it is easy.
Minky Adult Weighted Blanket
This adult blanket is made from minky fabric and weighted to help you feel more secure and warm. The weight is provided by glass beads that fill the fabric and the blanket can be purchased in different weights.
This weight minky blanket can also be purchased in two different sizes and three different colors. It is machine washable, but you should use the gentle cycle to preserve the glass beads that provide the weight.
Conclusion
I hope this article gave you all of the information you need about minky fabric. As a type of fleece, minky is one of the softest and warmest synthetic fabrics there is. It is mostly used for baby blankets but can be used for other garments as well. If you found this helpful, share it with others and leave a comment. Thanks for reading!