Replies

1. 
   kayl | Oct 21, 2004 03:49am | #1

   I'd use a waterproof breathable or a coated nylon. Ultrex and Goretex are a couple of WPB brand names; coated nylon rarely has a name, but can be spotted by a shiny clear or unshiny white coating on one side of the fabric (that's the wrong side).

   Another possible choice (though expensive) is to forgo the dual layer system in favor of what's called a "soft shell" fabric. I don't know how that would work for snowpants, but if you poke around in some of the catalogs online, you might find some instances of it.

   Here's a page of sources from a professional maker of outdoor goods: http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/tips/sources.asp (check out her sewing tips section, too).

   Right now, the best deal I know of for a waterproof breathable (which is more comfortable than coated nylon and won't soak your kids in their own sweat when they're playing hard) is at http://fabricline.com/watbreatblow.html I've been a customer of their retail store for many years, and they carry good stuff.

   Kay

2. 
   Elisabeth | Oct 21, 2004 03:44pm | #2

   Someone suggested this site in an earlier discussion http://www.justmakeit.com Everything one could possibly want for making snowpants.

3. 
   joress | Oct 22, 2004 12:59am | #3

   Outdoor Wilderness Fabrics (http://www.owfinc.com) has waterproof, breathable fabrics that are not as expensive as Goretex. I ordered at least 20 yards and got a wholesale price, which was more cost effective than ordering the 11 yards that I actually needed. The folks there also are terrific at helping over the phone, and they have seam seal and anything else outdoors-wear related that you could dream of needing for clothing, tents, whatever.

1. 
   LindaG | Oct 22, 2004 02:54pm | #4

   Thank you all for the suggestions and resources!

4. 
   joanna | Oct 30, 2004 06:04pm | #5

   Another great place for outdoor fabric is The RainShed catalog (www.therainshed.com). I made snowsuits for my granddaughters last winter. The outer shell of one was Ultrex (very slippery and hard to work with) and the other was Avalite (much easier to work with). Truly waterproof fabrics such as these and Goretex require seamsealing. Nylon supplex is a little harder to work with than Avalite but does not require sealed seams.

1. 
   LindaG | Oct 31, 2004 12:00am | #6

   Thanks very much, especially for the insight on which fabric is easier to use.  Where did you find seam sealer?  And does it require a ventilated area when using it? 

1. 
   joanna | Oct 31, 2004 04:22pm | #7

   I bought both the seam sealer and the fabric from The Rain Shed. It comes in a tube and is applied with a small paint brush. Yes, you do want a ventilated area and you have to be careful that the article of clothing is not folded over on itself because once the sealer is dry, the fabric is permanently glued! It's kind of messy and time consuming and needs to be done in stages as you make the garment.

   There is also a seam sealer tape (I have not tried it) that is ironed on. That is available from Textile Outfitters (www.justmakeit.com) which is another great place for technical fabrics.

   There is a great book available through Taunton Press called "Sewing Outdoor Gear: Easy Techniques for Outerwear That Works" that explains and illustrates both methods. It is a book well worth having.

   Hope this helps!