Discovering a new fabric can be exciting. New fabrics have a whole new world of creative possibilities. Minky is a cuddly, fun and soft fabric.  This material has several advantages and can be used in a variety of projects.

Minky material is very soft and can be used for many different projects, from blankets to housing décor. Some of the advantages of Minky fabric include:

• Long-lasting
• Variety of patterns and colours
• Flexibility of use
• Durability
• Stain-resistant

Minky has an ultrasoft texture and is a hypoallergenic fabric, making it a great choice  for sewing baby blankets, clothing and accessories.  Since it is manufactured in various weights and pile heights, there are many minky options available to choose from.

Types of Minky fabric

Plain or smooth Minky – this fabric has no patterns or texture. It comes in different colours and can be used for a wide variety of projects.

Dot Minky – available in various colours, dot Minky has small dots that provide some texture to the fabric.

Ribbon Minky – some of the pile is cut out of ribbon Minky, and it has ridges of fabric, similar to corduroy.

Print Minky – has the same features as plane Minky, but instead of a solid colour, it has an attractive print, such as our NHL Minky material.

Drawbacks of Minky fabric

Although it’s an attractive and fun material to create projects from, there are some drawbacks to Minky material, such as:

Minky is messy

Minky can be a messy material to work with as it sheds tiny fibers that are difficult to collect. Cut down on the mess with a lint brush or a handy vaccum to collect those small particles of shedding fibers.

Popular Minky fabric projects

While you’ll see Minky being used for a lot of baby blankets, it can be used for other projects too, including:

• Teddy bears
• Car seat covers
• Clothing
• Baby bibs
• Pillows
• Scarves
• Slippers
• Hats
• Weighted blanket
• Quilts
• Home décor items
• Purses and wallets
• 

Tips for using Minky

Its softness makes Minky an attractive material to work with, and these tips can help you complete your project using Minky fabric.

Ensure excess around edges

Minky fabric tends to stretch a little, so leave excess fabric around the edges.  The excess left around the edges can help manage any pulling that may happen as the minky is being sewed. The excess can always be trimmed off when the project is completed.

Use plenty of pins and clips

Have plenty of pins and clips on hand when working with Minky fabric.  Use enough pins and clips to keep the material in place. The softness of Minky can cause it to slide and move when it is being handled.

Vacuum Minky edges

After the Minky fabric is cut, it’s a good practice to vacuum the edges before bits of material are airborne. The softness of the material can make it pretty messy to clean up, so it helps to clean as you go. Alternatively, take it outside and shake it off or use a lint roller to collect stray pieces.  

Begin sewing on length side

Minky is a stretchable material, but less so lengthwise. Begin sewing on the lengthwise and leave the sewing on the widthwise for the end. Additionally, allow for a wider seam so the project will look great when it’s complete.  

Clean your machine often

Minky can be messy and will leave fuzz in the sewing machine. When working with the Minky fabric, it’s good practice to brush or vacuum out the bobbin compartment often. This can help reduce buildup that can stall the sewing machine.  

Use a sewing machine walking foot

A sewing machine walking foot is an attachment that ensures the material is fed on the top as well as underneath.  This keeps an even amount of pressure on the fabric, which is particularly crucial when working with multiple layers of fabric. Minky material tends to stretch and move, so attention and care should be taken. A walking foot can also be a great investment to keep the stitches even and sew thick sections of the fabric easily. While it can take a little extra time to use a walking foot for your sewing, it will be worth the effort.  

Caring for Minky

Minky is a very easy material to care for since it does not require dry cleaning and can be cleaned at home. Use cold water only when washing Minky fabric as heat can cause some of the polyester fibers to melt, and the material will lose its softness. Minky can be air dry or dry on the lowest dryer setting.  Do not apply fabric softeners as they can ruin the fiber and take away some of the softness.  

Minky fabric is one of the softest and most versatile materials on the market. Whether you want to make your own baby blanket, warm winter hat, or create some creative home décor items.  Browse Fabric Design Treasures’ favorite Minky cuddle fabric options.