Fabrics Other Than Ripstop @ Joann's

**smalls** · 02-01-2011, 23:18

I was shopping at a local Joann's the other day and encountered several rolls of nylon fabric that was not the stuff found in their 'utility fabric section'. It wasn't the heavy 'sport' nylon, or ripstop. For the life of me, I cannot remember the precise label they used, but it was 100% nylon, and labeled something similar to "Memory Jacketing Material". This could be way off, but Jacketing was definitely one of the terms.

What is this stuff, exactly? It seems to me to just be a lighter weight, more pliable nylon, maybe intended for garments? I haven't had any luck with Google so far. The prices on it were still rather high, $6/yard, but I did pick up a couple yards just to tinker with.

I also stumbled on some 'weather resistant' fabric that was polyurethane backed polyester. It had a thin, very flexible rubber layer on the back of it. It seems like this stuff might be a challenge to waterproof at the seams, but the biggest reason I didn't buy the whole roll at $4/yd was I was suspicious as to how well it would stand up to UV. Something in the back of my head was telling me that polyurethane layer was going to get brittle when exposed to sunlight. Anybody able to comment on this stuff as a tarp or ground cloth material?

-Smalls

**Ramblinrev** · 02-02-2011, 07:12

Originally Posted by smalls

What is this stuff, exactly? It seems to me to just be a lighter weight, more pliable nylon, maybe intended for garments? I haven't had any luck with Google so far. The prices on it were still rather high, $6/yard, but I did pick up a couple yards just to tinker with.

Labels from the Big Box stores are not always very helpful. It sounds to me like it might be a nylon lining material. Without more information I can't be sure but that would be my guess. If so it is used to provide a slick, lightweight lining to out door garments so sleeves and such slip on quickly over layers. It also provides some structure detailing to the garment and can prevent expensive fabrics (evolve, gore-tex etc. from abrading on the inside where it is most vulnerable to that kind of damage. Strength is definitely not it's selling point. But it would be very lightweight.

**samjaynes** · 02-02-2011, 11:35

Originally Posted by smalls

I was shopping at a local Joann's the other day and encountered several rolls of nylon fabric that was not the stuff found in their 'utility fabric section'. It wasn't the heavy 'sport' nylon, or ripstop. For the life of me, I cannot remember the precise label they used, but it was 100% nylon, and labeled something similar to "Memory Jacketing Material". This could be way off, but Jacketing was definitely one of the terms.

What is this stuff, exactly? It seems to me to just be a lighter weight, more pliable nylon, maybe intended for garments? I haven't had any luck with Google so far. The prices on it were still rather high, $6/yard, but I did pick up a couple yards just to tinker with.

I also stumbled on some 'weather resistant' fabric that was polyurethane backed polyester. It had a thin, very flexible rubber layer on the back of it. It seems like this stuff might be a challenge to waterproof at the seams, but the biggest reason I didn't buy the whole roll at $4/yd was I was suspicious as to how well it would stand up to UV. Something in the back of my head was telling me that polyurethane layer was going to get brittle when exposed to sunlight. Anybody able to comment on this stuff as a tarp or ground cloth material?

-Smalls

Joanne's has ripstop and it shows that name on the label... they also sell sport nylon as well. As noted on this forum, the ripstop there is typically 1.9oz. From a cost savings, material feel and usage - I would highly highly recommend BWOO Backwoods. By far their nylon feels great, and is priced very well. I just ordered 12 yards from them, and now feel that I am going to use my Joanne's fabric just for bishop bags, and footboxes, shelves, etc. (and it cost more at joanne's awith 40% off coupon)