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Waterproof Nylon

cycler1729 | Posted in General Sewing Info on

Is there such a thing as stretchable Waterproof Nylon?  I bought some for a project and used it for something else because I need something that has some “give”.

Any ideas?

Replies

  1. jjgg | | #1

    I've never heard of waterproof stretch nylon. to make it water-PROOF (vs water resistant) you need to have Sil-nylon ( silicone impregnated ripstop nylon) but I've never seen it in a knit or stretch fabric. I do a lot of backpacking and have used and sewn a lot of sil-nylon, the stuff is great and it is absolutely water proof. Unlike the 'breathable - water proof ' fabrics out there. Breathable & waterproof is an oxymoron. but thats a whole nother story!

    1. cycler1729 | | #2

      Thanks for the response - I am a cyclist and I wanted to sew some winter bike slacks and I was thinking of using flannel inside and a waterproof layer outside so I will look for the sil-nylon since it stretches.

      Two years ago I decided to sew something like a child's snowsuit bottom and I used a quilted fabric but then I wasn't able to bend my knees!  Great ideas don't always work in the execution!

      Susan

      1. stitchagain | | #3

        There is a waterproof stretchable gortex.  I've seen it in manufactured mountain jacket garb and as fabric.

        You might check Rose City Textiles.  I think I saw a stetchable Ultrex (or some other gortex type name).  It might be heavier than you need but they are a good source for outdoor fabrics in general.

        http://www.rosecitytextiles.com

        Please, I would love to hear more about your project.

        stitchagain

         

        1. cycler1729 | | #6

          That might be what I need - thanks so much - I will definitely check out that site.

           

      2. jjgg | | #4

        I hope you didn't misunderstand, the sil-nylon is not stretch fabric. Along with Seattle fabrics, here are a few other out door fabric suppliers. I have used Outdoor wilderness fabrics (owfinc) several times, no affiliation - just a happy customer, and their customer service on the phone is great.Is the waterproof layer really necessary? won't you sweat in them? I found that in hiking even with 'water-proof breathable' fabric, yo sweat so bad that you become soaked on the inside. My rain jacket (water proof - breathable) was useless. I was wetter on the inside than I was on the outside from the rain. The jacket kept me warm when the temps were down in the 30's or below, but anything above that forget it.Do you ride in the rain? what part of the country are you in? I just got a bike, haven't taken it out for any long rides yet, but would love to.
        Judyhttp://www.beaconfabric.com/http://www.owfinc.com/http://www.questoutfitters.com/http://www.rockywoods.com/http://www.seattlefabrics.com/

        1. cycler1729 | | #5

          I am in NYC and I ride all year - I've been doing it for the last 30 years and I love it! 

          I need a stretch waterproof (or resistant) for several different projects but I guess you're right about the sweating.  One of the worst things about riding in the rain is that the tope of my thighs always get drenched no matter what I wear so I was also thinking of a sort-of chaps - just to cover from my hips to my knees - 2 separate pieces that are elastic at the tops and bottom.      

          1. Gloriasews | | #7

            Would not a light-weight waterproof cape supply all of your needs (keep you dry & cover your knees)?  You could wear it over a fleece jacket if it's chilly out or just over your T-shirt in the summer, but it would be loose enough that you shouldn't sweat too much, as air would circulate more around your clothing. 

            Gloria

          2. cycler1729 | | #9

            Sorry for not responding sooner - a cape will just blow away and water will get in under it (that's why I don't even like a poncho).

            I don't like the bottoms of the rain suits because if they are the right size they don't let me move and if they are bigger to wear over my clothes they are too bulky.  I do use the jackets and they work really well but I seem to run through them pretty quickly even buying the thickest ml.  The one that I'm using now has overall bottoms which are better in the worst rain because they cover me completely but it's really hard to ride in them and the jacket is duct-taped all over so it's time for a new one of those!

          3. Gloriasews | | #10

            No problem about the slow response - I hadn't check these threads in 2 days, either.  I think you'll have to take Teaf5's advice & go that route, eh?  As to the cape, I was thinking about a closer-fitting one, not one that's huge & blowing around, but guess that won't work for you.

            Gloria

          4. cycler1729 | | #11

            Yes, I think that stretch gore tex might work for the outside - my thought was that a cotton flannel will feel great against my skin on a chilly, rainy day.

            I remembered a pair of thickish cotton knit slacks that I sewed in the 70s that I always wore on cool, rainy days in the summer - it always felt that it was just the right thing to wear.

            I love cozy clothes! 

            Susan

          5. Gloriasews | | #12

            The stretch gore-tex would be lightweight & the way to go, I think.  Make it big enough, though, to be able to wear fleece underneath, as the nice, soft flannel might not be warm enough on really chilly, damp days.  Happy sewing!

            Gloria

          6. User avater
            CostumerVal | | #13

            Would it be possible to take the horse back riders approach and wear waterproof chaps that just cover the legs?  They're jackets also have a godet in the back to cover the saddle and hips, you might want to design yours on the sides for leg movement.  Malden Mills has some nice fabrics for winter sportswear.

            Val

             

          7. cycler1729 | | #14

            Yes - in one of my previous posts I said just that -

            One of the worst things about riding in the rain is that the tops of my thighs always get drenched no matter what I wear so I was also thinking of a sort-of chaps - just to cover from my hips to my knees - 2 separate pieces that are elastic at the tops and bottom.    

            I'm still working on the pattern and I used the waterproof fabric for something else so I'll need to buy new fabric.

          8. Teaf5 | | #8

            I bike in the rain all the time; I wear stretch dri-knit athletic leggings and pull on a larger than usual pair of standard rainsuit pants in the rain. The bagginess allows me full range of motion, and the zippers from the ankle to knee let me pull them on and off over shoes. They have two sets of snaps that snug the pants hem around my ankle to keep the legs out of the chain and sprocket. My current pair, Stearns brand from hardware stores and Costco, cost less than $20, has lasted ten years. During the rainy season, I keep the pants rolled up and rubberbanded to my rack.

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