Minky Fabric: History, property, use, care, where to buy

Introduction to Minky Fabric

Minky is a specialized and luxurious form of fabric composed entirely of polyester. It is frequently utilized to produce baby blankets, apparel, and accessories. The texture of Minky fabric is similar to that of wool, but it is plusher. 

The great quality of the Minky fabric ensures that its colors will not fade over time and maintain their warmth.

KEY TAKAWAY

• Minky fabric is a specialized and luxurious fabric made of polyester, known for its softness and plush texture.
• The origins of Minky fabric can be traced back to the invention of polyester in the UK in 1928, but its popularity grew in the late 2000s.
• Minky fabric is durable, easy to care for, and can be used in various applications such as babywear, home decor, and sewing projects.

What is the History of Minky Fabric?

The origins of Minky fabric can be traced back to two distinct sources. Minky’s genetic origins may be traced back to the finding and creation of polyester, the fabric from which it is constructed. 

 Polyester, the synthetic yarn we know, was developed for mass manufacturing in the United Kingdom in 1928 and has been the subject of a slew of follow-up patent applications ever since. The second history of Minky takes place vaguely around the last decade’s turning point in time.

Between 2008 and 2010, the Minky revolutionized businesses in the same way that the genealogy frenzy in the nineteenth century did, resulting in the establishment of numerous societies. 

However, it is unknown whether or not Minky fabric was invented. Still, a new polyester-based fabric known as Minky began to spread across the country as people became more familiar with soft blankets.

Properties of Minky Fabric

• It is a soft and smooth fabric.
• It is a bit thick. However, it can still be cut using a pair of fabric scissors.
• It is durable and strong.

How is Minky Fabric Made?

Minky fabric is comprised of polyester. Thousands of tonnes of polyester are produced and sold each year, making it one of the world’s most widely used polymer fabrics.

Plant leaves and ground-nesting bees manufacture natural forms of polyester, with the compounds emerging in the mushy parts of the leaves or in the polyester that they employ to line their soil-filled homes.

The material is extracted and made into polyester yarns that can be used for making the fabric.

Where is Minky Fabric Made?

The fabric is produced in England, Asian countries, and China, the market leader in the textile market. Even though China may not produce Minky fabrics, raw goods can sometimes be sent to make finished goods.

Common uses of Minky Fabric

Minky fabric is used for garments for men and women and especially babies. The multipurpose fabric can also be used for sewing, quilting, and even home decoration.

Daily wear and use

Minky fabric is used to make hats and shawls since it is warm and fluffy, making it excellent for the winter. The fabric can also be used to make wallets and purses.

Babywear 

Because Minky fabric is both warm and soft, it is the material of choice for use in children’s apparel. Children’s clothing made of Minky is extremely gentle on the sensitive skin of infants, and it wraps them in a warm embrace throughout the winter while also shielding them from the elements.

It can also be used in accessories and products for babies. Because of its ability to absorb liquids, the material is ideal for use in the production of baby bibs. 

Minky is an excellent choice for children’s clothing and cloth nappies for the same causes that it is soothing to the delicate skin of infants and young children.

Home décor

You may use Minky fabric to produce beautiful and luxury soft fluffy cushions and pillows. Some of the vivid patterns can be used to make curtains, and you can also use them to accent your home decoration with it.

Sewing with Minky fabric

Minky fabric is a soft fabric that can be easily sewed using the correct sewing essentials. Sewing patterns and designs on the fabric isn’t a hassle if you use the right sewing notions and supplies for your project.

You should use a strong low lint thread as your sewing thread. Trimming the edges of the fabric will make your project look neat and clean. Make sure you use a topstitch needle when sewing the fabric since a good hand sewing needle will make the fabric less scratchy against the needle. 

Keeping in mind these little tips and tricks, you will be able to sew the fabric with ease.

Dyeing with Minky fabric

Even though it may be unheard of, Minky fabrics can be dyed. The process is useful for designers and consumers with unique styles and preferred designs.

The fabric can be dyed depending on its composition. Since it is made using polyester, the Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye can be used as the best fabric dye available.

How to care for Minky Fabric?

Minky fabrics aren’t so hard to care for and can easily be washed and ironed without a hassle.

Washing and drying 

• Use cold-warm water to wash the fabric
• The machine setting should be set to a normal cycle
• Fabric softeners can be used like Vinegar, a wonderful fabric softener that allows the fabric to retain its shine and softness.
• Dry in the tumble dryer without heat, and if you must use heat, use low heat because the heat of any kind can increase static and somewhat reduce the gentleness of the drying process.

Ironing 

• Using a shark steam iron, press the fabric on the wrong side
• Use a low heat setting and a press cloth

Where to buy Minky Fabric?

Minky fabric can be purchased from fabric and garment retailers. Clients can also purchase Minky fabric from online stores and websites like https://amzn.to/4b6kxLB and Amazon, which have the best Minky fabric available, like the distinct Michael Miller Minky fabric.

It can be sold in several ways depending on the seller;

• By yard
• By Inches
• Can be cut to order

So soft and super warm; Minky has quickly become one of the most beloved fabrics in the world. It can be used in a myriad of ways, it’s easy to work with, and it’s just lovely.

As the name suggests, Minky is made to resemble mink, a natural fur that comes from the pelt of an animal with the same name. Minky, however, is artificial, so it can be considered faux fur, so it’s a lot more human than natural fur fabric; plus, it’s a lot more affordable, easier to care for, durable, and easier to find.

Whether you’re looking for a unique quilting fabric or you are thinking about making a soft, luxurious hat, scarf, or any other type of apparel, Minky is definitely an option worth considering. But, as with most types of fabric – faux leather, linen, lace, etc – there are so many different types of Minky to choose from! Any seamstress knows (even those that are just learning the trade with the guidance of a sewing help book) that if you want your creations to be as beautiful and durable as possible, you have to work with the best possible material. Since there are so many different types of Minky, how can you decide which option to choose? We’ve taken the liberty of finding them for you!

After conducting some pretty extensive research and testing out dozens of different materials, we’ve narrowed down the options to – what we believe to be – the top five Minky materials:

Best Minky Fabrics

Image	Minky Fabric	Rating
	1. Michael Miller Minky Fabric	99%
	2. Minky Arrows Minky Print Fabric	96%
	3. Shannon Fabrics Minky Fabric	92%
	4. Morgan Fabrics Minky Fabric	89%
	5. Richloom Minky Straw Fabric	86%

1. Michael Miller Minky Fabric

Michael Miller is a much-loved distributor of various types of fabrics, including knits and canvas, and duck; they also offer a lovely collection of Minky fabrics. Made of 100 percent polyester, this Minky is medium to heavyweight and extremely durable. It also comes in a wide variety of solid colors and fun patterns. Solid colored options include flame, rust, fern, taupe, bright lime, latte, and mocha, while some of the patterned Minky fabrics offered by this distributor include an aqua blue zig-zag zebra design, a unicorn-colored strip, a magenta lotus flower print, a pony pattern, and even elephants flying on parachutes against a sky blue background.

All of the Minky fabrics offered by Michael Miller are vibrant and highly durable. They measure 58 inches wide, are sold by the yard and half yard, and are cut to order. Any of their Minky fabrics would be perfect for making so many different projects; a lovely scarf, hat, and gloves set, or even cozy stuffed animals, for example.

What We Like About It

• 100 percent polyester
• Sold by the yard and half yard
• Cut to order
• Medium to heavyweight
• Available in various colors and prints
• The pile is 3mm
• Durable
• Easy to care for; machine wash, tumble dry
• Can be used in so many applications

Reasons to Complain

Honestly, we can’t find any reasons to complain! We just love it!

Final verdict: Whether you’re looking for a solid colored or a fun, whimsical pattern, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for with Michael Miller’s Minky fabric. It’s well-constructed, easy to work with, and easy to care for, too.

2. Minky Arrows Minky Print Fabric

Whether you’re looking to make a unique sweatshirt or scarf, or a one-of-a-kind blanket or throw pillow – or even a pair of pajama pants – this Minky Arrows Minky Print Fabric is definitely an option to consider. It features a really cool arrow print. The arrows are vibrantly colored and point in different directions, and since they’re set against a white background, their vibrant color really pop; it really is a fun, one-of-a-kind design.

The material is 100 percent polyester and it’s a medium weight. It’s durable, super soft, and very easy to care for; just toss it in the washing machine and then tumble it dry on a cold setting. The material measures 60 inches wide and it’s sold by the yard and half yard, and it’s cut to order. There are so many unique items you could make with this material; pair it with flannel to make super cute footie pajamas for a baby, or line it with fleece to make super soft, luxurious, and warm sweatshirt.

What We Like About It

• Features a fun arrow print in vibrant gray, white, yellow, pink, green, orange, and blue, which is set against a white background
• Made of 100 percent polyester
• Easy to work with
• Easy to care for; machine wash and tumble dry
• Sold by the yard and half yard
• Cut to order
• Can be used in various applications

Reasons to Complain

• It was just a tad see-through; however, if you add a liner, you’ll have no problems

Final Verdict: Overall, we were very pleased with the Minky Arrows Minky Print Fabric. It’s cute, fun, whimsical, soft, durable, and easy to work with and care for. Though it’s a tiny bit transparent, it’s nothing that a little lining won’t fix.

3. Shannon Fabrics Minky Fabric

Shannon Fabrics is another highly reputable distributor of various types of sewing fabric, such as faux fur, satin, and terry cloth. They’re famous for offering super high-quality materials, and their Minky fabric is no exception.

This Minky material is comprised of 100 percent polyester, which means that it is very durable, very easy to work with, and super easy to care for; you can machine wash it on a cold setting and tumble it dry on low.

The pile of this Minky is 3mm, so it’s also extremely plush and has a smooth, luxurious look. It’s the perfect material for making baby blankets, it could be used as a backing for a quilt made out of pre-cut quilt squares, or it would make a wonderful muffler to keep hands warm on chilly days.

The fabric measures 58 inches wide and it’s sold by the yard and half yard and cut to order. It’s also available in a wide range of colors, including dark lime, hot pink, navy blue, baby blue, amethyst, and so many more! We think that their dot Minky materials, which feature little nubs, would be wonderful to use as a cover for a baby’s changing bad or a plush stuffed animal friend.

What We Like About It

• Made of 100 percent polyester
• Available in a myriad of colors
• Sold by the yard and half yard
• Cut to order
• Machine washable
• Super plush
• Has a lovely sheen
• Can be used in so many ways
• Easy to care for

Reasons to Complain

Again, we couldn’t find any reasons to complain about this Minky fabric.

Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a durable, affordable, plush, and just beautiful Minky fabric, then you’re definitely going to want to consider Shannon Fabrics for your choice. It’s so well made and there are so many color choices available. We just love it!

4. Morgan Fabrics Minky Fabric

The collection of Minky fabric from Morgan Fabrics is another excellent option to consider. Like all of the other options that have been listed in our review, this one is comprised of 100 percent polyester, so it’s extremely durable and can be machine washed and tumbled dry. It is heavy in weight, so it would be suitable for blankets, quilts, cold weather accessories; or, you could even use it as a drapery fabric to make a unique valence, curtains, or any other type of covering for your windows. This fabric would definitely help to block out cold air, as well as light. It could also be used as an upholstery fabric to cover ottomans or throw pillows.

This Minky fabric has a fluffy pile, so it’s super soft and cuddly. There aren’t as many color options to choose from, as there are only three hues available: black, chocolate, and coffee; however, each color is stunning and has a beautiful sheen, which adds to the appeal. This Minky material measures 54 inches wide and like all of the other materials offered by https://amzn.to/4b6kxLB, it is sold by the yard and half yard and is cut to order

What We Like About It

• Made of 100 percent polyester
• Very durable
• Easy to work with
• It has a heavyweight
• The pile is soft and plush
• It has a nice sheen
• It can be used in a variety of applications
• It’s easy to care for; machine wash and tumble dry
• Sold by the yard and half yard
• Cut to order

Reasons to Complain

• There are limited colors to choose from

Final Verdict: Overall, we were very impressed with the Morgan Fabrics Minky Fabric. While there are only three colors to choose from, if you are looking to make something in a neutral color, it would work wonderfully. It’s easy to sew; we had no problems passing it through a sewing machine. It’s also quite durable and very easy to care for.

5. Richloom Minky Fabric

Last up on our list of the best Minky fabrics is the Richloom Minky Straw Fabric. This is definitely the most unique material on our list because it has such a different design; it looks kind of like straw, in fact. Also unlike the other fabrics we have listed in this review, this one is made out of 100 percent cotton, so it’s a bit more breathable than the other mink materials, but it’s still super durable and soft. However, because it is made out of cotton and it has such a unique construction, it does have to be hand washed or dry cleaned, which makes it a bit harder to care for.

Nevertheless, this fabric is just exquisite. As mentioned, it has a totally unique look, and it features different colors, such as shades of brown, black, green, cream, white, and beige. The weight of the material is medium, so it would be well suited for the backing of blankets and quilts, or as plush toys or a warm and cozy scarf or hat. The width is narrower than other options on our list too, as it is only 30 inches wide; however, it is also sold by the yard and half yard and cut to order.

What We Like About It

• It’s made of 100 percent cotton
• It’s more breathable than the other Minky fabrics in our review
• It’s medium weight
• It can be used in a variety of applications
• It has a unique look
• It features a collection of different colors
• It’s sold by the yard and half yard
• It’s cut to order

Reasons to Complain

• It does have to be hand washed or dry cleaned, so it is more high maintenance than the other Minky materials in our review
• It was a little tougher to work with than other fabrics on this list

Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a super unique Minky fabric, then you should definitely check out the option offered by Richloom. It resembles straw, so it has a one-of-a-kind look; it’s like nothing else we have ever seen before! It’s also super soft and can be used in so many ways. While it must be hand washed or dry cleaned, we think the extra care is worth it.

The Best Minky Fabric: A Buyer’s Guide

Whether you are just getting started out in the world of sewing or you have been making hand-stitched creations for as long as you can remember, you’re going to need to have a few sewing essentials on-hand. Of all the things that every seamstress should have readily available in her sewing room, the fabric is at the top of the list.

We always suggest having a nice selection of high-quality fabrics at the ready because you never know when inspiration is going to strike; and when it does, you’ll be ready to fire up your sewing machine or pull out your hand sewing needles and start working!

There are tons of different fabrics to choose from, and Minky is one that you should definitely have available.

What is Minky Fabric?

Minky fabric is, as the name suggests (and as we stated earlier) a synthetic fabric that is made to resemble the look, feel, and texture of mink, an authentic fur. It has a short pile and a super soft feeling that is almost reminiscent of cashmere or really high-quality chenille.

Minky is often made out of polyester, though it can also be comprised of cotton. It is also available in a wide variety of colors and fun patterns. Because of the soft feeling, the warmth, and the various different colors and designs that are available, Minky is used in a wide variety of applications. Some of the most common uses for Minky include robes, pajamas, plush toys, throw pillows, throw blankets, quilt backings, covers for a baby’s changing table, socks, scarves, hats, gloves… In other words, there are so many different ways that this material can be used.

Why You Should Invest in a Collection of Minky Fabric

There’s no doubt that Minky is one of the most beloved materials in the world. Here’s a look at some of the reasons why it is so popular – and why you should consider investing in a collection, too:

• It’s durable. Minky is an exceptionally durable fabric, and as such, it can withstand wear and tear with no issues.
• It’s super soft. Minky has such a soft texture to it, which is definitely one of the biggest appeals. It just feels so wonderful brushing up against your skin that you can’t help but want to wrap yourself in it!
• It’s can be used in so many ways. There are so many different ways that Minky material can be used; clothing, baby accessories, cold weather accessories, blankets, upholstery, draperies… you name it, it can probably be made out of Minky.
• It’s fun. Minky is just a fun fabric to work with and to handle. You’ll have a hard time not wanting to rub your hands across it!
• There are so many options! Minky is available in so many different colors, patterns, and prints that you can definitely find something that will suit your interests!

Given all of these benefits, it’s no wonder why Minky is one of the most beloved fabrics of sewists worldwide!

Summing It Up

If you haven’t worked with Minky yet, you really need to. Go ahead and purchase one of these high-quality Minky fabrics featured in this review and see for yourself why it is just so amazing!

Sources:

https://amzn.to/4b6kxLB

Coral and Co

Clarks Condensed

Conclusion

Minky fabrics have been around for a long time, and the soft nature of the fabric makes it a perfect suit for blankets and babywear.  The fabric is available in different colors, sizes, designs, and prints. Hence, it will meet your preferences and desires.

Sources

• Minky mamas
• Ice fabrics