A fabric article that generates heat upon application of electrical power is formed, for example, by joining stitch and loop yarns to form a fabric prebody, with the loop yarn forming in loops that overlay the stitch yarn at the technical face form the technical and back of the fabric prebody. An electrical resistance heating element in the form of a conductive yarn is incorporated into the fabric prebody at symmetrical and/or asymmetrical spaced-apart intervals e.g., as the stitch yarn, the electrical resistance heating elements extending between opposite edge regions of the fabric. The technical face and/or the technical back of the fabric body is finished, in a manner avoiding damage to electrical conductivity of the electrical resistance heating elements, to form a fleece surface region, and conductive elements are provided for connecting the electrical resistance heating elements to a source of electrical power. Preferably, the conductive yarn has a core of insulating material, an electrical resistance heating element about the core, and a sheath material surrounding the electrical resistance heating element and core.