Replies

1. 
   starzoe | Apr 28, 2008 01:03am | #1

   Have you thought of using Goretex? It is breathable, waterproof fabric much used for outdoor clothing and it comes in a lot of colours. Google Goretex or breathable fabric and you will find where to buy it. It is easy to sew with.Vinyl coating is very uncomfortable, hot and sweaty.

1. 
   jjgg | Apr 28, 2008 08:10pm | #4

   "Waterproof & Breathable" is an oxymoron. Let me explain how this stuff works. The 'breathable' part is for water 'vapor' not sweat. Sweat is 'water' and will not pass through the barrier. I know this probably is not much of an issue for most day to day stuff, but I am a long distance hiker, and when hiking (in the rain) you are working hard and begin to sweat. Then you are soaked on both the inside and the outside.
   Also, these fabrics do loose some of their 'waterproofness' after beign washed. There are products to use in the washer to restore the waterproofing of it.Gortex and other waterproof breathable fabrics are just as hot as vinyl.

1. 
   starzoe | Apr 28, 2008 08:20pm | #5

   Goretex may not be the perfect fabric for extreme sports, but I wear a jacket I made in 1983 from Goretex, it does very well in the we(s)t coast rain forest for comfortable wear. It has been washed a number of times. Perhaps it wouldn't hold up so well if it was washed more often though.

1. 
   stitchagain | Apr 30, 2008 09:15pm | #6

   Good points about Goretex, might not like to be washed alot, there are more things one needs to be concerned with (seamsealing, needle holes, expense).

   As someone who lives in  a wet climate- Oregon, I would much rather sew a water resistant fabric and it works well for my uses (especially lined with fleece).

   The two sources I am most familiar with are Rose City Textiles (RCT) and The Rain Shed, although a lot of folks on this forum like Seattle Fabrics.

   http://www.rosecitytextiles.com/

   http://www.therainshed.com/

   http://www.seattlefabrics.com/

   By the way I have a heavy vinyl coated jackets for those days on the ocean when the rain is just coming down in buckets (and I question about the breathablity of anything).  It works just fine.

2. 
   cookymom | Apr 28, 2008 03:38am | #2

   Some of the sewers who follow this list buy fabrics from a place in Oregon(?) that has all kinds of gore-tex and other outdoorsy fabrics.  I know they have a web site but can't remember the name as I write this post.

   Having worked outside in both yellow slickers and gore-tex jackets in garden centers, I'd vote for goretex every time.  Better rainjackets also have a zipper under the arm and when this is open, you stay dry and cool.  Go to EMS or LL Bean to see how they are constructed.

   Goretex really stops the wind and is a great shell over fleece vests and jackets.

    

    

    

1. 
   kaitydid | Apr 28, 2008 05:48pm | #3

   thanks for the help! i am a young sewer and still learning some things. i have tried to look for goretex before, but i only came to a website that sold ready-made products. i guess i should try again.