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Fleece can easily dull needles so change your needle often, especially if you start to notice skipped stitches. Use a universal, ball-point or stretch needle--they have rounded tips, which separate, rather than pierce, the fabric threads. Use a 70/10 needle for lightweight fleece, 80/12 or 90/14 for midweight and 100/16 for heavyweight. High-quality, long-staple polyester or cotton-wrapped polyester thread is a good choice.
You definitely want to clean your machine between fleece projects (or any project). It's also a good idea to clean the machine during the project. When fuzz builds up in the machine it can cause inconsistent stitch formation. If you're using a serger, you'll generate even more fuzz as the blade trims the fabric, so clean often.
You can use an artist's paintbrush to clean your machine. It attracts the fuzz and can reach into small spaces. Another option is to tape a sturdy drinking straw to the end of your vacuum crevice tool. Tape over the remainder of the opening so you'll get good suction. Small, hand-held vacuums made for computer keyboard cleaning also work well for cleaning your sewing machine.
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