Wheelhouse #5: Fabric Edition

Wheelhouse is a newsletter for makers that covers new materials, techniques, and tools.

Pellon 72F II Peltex Fusible Interfacing

I’ve spent a while looking for materials that look nice, can be laser-cut, and are uniformly flexible or foldable. I discovered 72F Peltex II, which is a fusible (meaning it bonds via ironing) interfacing (meaning it provides stiffening) fabric filler. Because it is mostly polyester, it laser cuts nicely, as well. Other variants of Peltex with varying stiffness and thickness and fusibility are available.

Fosshape

Another discovery from the cosplay world, Fosshape is a felt-like material that becomes dramatically stiffer after being exposed to heat from steamer or hairdryer. It shrinks somewhat when it is heated. Since it is also a polyester variant, it can also be laser-cut. (h/t to @1lenore for brief tutorial.)

Dyneema

Dyneema is composite fabric that is extremely tough, can be easily sewn, behaves a great deal like paper, and probably can be laser-cut. It is made of UMHW polyethylene sandwiched between two layers of PET. Formerly known as Cuben Fiber, it was used to great effect for sails and rigging on the 1992 Americas Cup winner. (h/t to @robinsloan who made a bag out of it)

Send us more!

As always, email us. Send us all the clever new materials and techniques, and the fabrics we missed. In the coming weeks we will be covering adhesive tapes, folding, and mechanical flexures.