Kudzu Posted August 23, 2015 Report Share Posted August 23, 2015 Once I get back from the Class I am about to teach I will be ordering a new fabric I think I mentioned before. I found a mill that does specialty work and sent them samples of what I sell. I found out that the 8 oz fabric is actually a 5.9 oz fabric, not an 8 oz. That was a surprise, needless to say. They sent me a sample of a 6 oz that they weave. According to the engineer it is something like 50% stronger. What I like it is made of finer threads and will have a much smoother finish than the current '8 oz' fabric. Testing it in the shop the finish is very nice, still has a texture but much smoother. Beating the crap out of it proves it is strong even though it looks much more fragile. The price will higher but I think it is nicer fabric. Always felt the 11 oz was overkill and this may be my new go-to fabric. I also have found a supply of a fabric that is near identical to the current '8 oz' fabric at a better price. Long story but it was a mistake and failed the customer's inspection. It was specially made so there is no demand then just want to move it. There is a limited amount available but it will be a good bit cheaper than the current 8 oz. I should have another roll of the 11 oz waiting on me when I get back. Just amazing how fast that roll has been selling, I am almost out again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Tiger Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 Sounds like good news all around. Travel safely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailorSteve Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 Jeff, how well does the new 6 oz. fabric shrink? Does it behave differently than the "8 oz." or 11 oz.? I want to order some 6 oz. for my Crawfish, so was curious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudzu Posted August 24, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 It will shrink some, that was part of the mistake, wrong yarn was used. But it is a tight weave so should be able to just sew it on tight. On a Crawfish or Stonefly I would just pull it tight with pair of canvas pliers, regardless of the fabric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudzu Posted September 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 18, 2015 Just placed an order for the 'new' 8 oz fabric. Once the old stock is used up it will replace till it runs out. BTW, I think the current 8 oz is unavailable. So the timing is perfect and as I said before it will be cheaper. Got to get the final cost with shipping before I can set a price. Also, remember the old Recycled Polyester that had the bad case of fuzzy finish? Just received an email from the manufacturer that they have a new version woven with a filament yarn which means no more fuzzies. They want to send me a sample of it If it is indeed fuzz free I will be adding that back to the line up. Working on adding the smooth finish 6 oz fabric soon. All this hunting and searching for new fabrics is finally starting to pay off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Tiger Posted September 18, 2015 Report Share Posted September 18, 2015 Good news about the recycled stuff. I didn't mind the fuzzing all that much, but I did LOVE working with the cloth. Probably by the time I get my head out of this canoe and back in my kayak, the new fabric will be in. Whee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudzu Posted September 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2015 I am hoping the only difference is the no fuzz finish. From what I have learned about weaving fabrics it sounds like it will. Price was great too so I am really interested in getting it back in the store. I would love to have a wide selection of fabrics to chose from. I have been looking for nylon but it proving to be very difficult to find without ordering a mill run from off shore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBREW Posted October 13, 2015 Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 I see 11.6 and 8 oz. polyester listed in the store as available. When will the 6 oz and recycled fabric be available? Will be needing to order fabric in the near future and would like to consider these as possibilities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudzu Posted October 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2015 Recycled is not even in production as far as I know. They ran a small batch and sent out samples. I am still messing with it but it looks like it may be OK. Just a slightly rough finish. But no dates on it or even a firm price from them yet. I am trying to see if I can buy 18 feet of the 6 oz and skin a boat with it before I commit to a roll. I know it seems slow but these things are ALWAYS SLOW! Takes for ever to get anything done. I am really hesitant to commit a $1,000 without trying it. I do have a new shipment of 8 oz. in the shop that I got at a great price! Once the existing roll is gone I will be offering the surplus 8 oz. at a lower price. As far as I can see it is identical (for our purposes) to the existing 8 oz. Just cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodman Posted November 8, 2015 Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 You'r store says you have 17'of the 8oz.....I need an 18'piece, my 12th sof is ready, That is a lot of fabric worth of boats..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudzu Posted November 8, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2015 I have none actually, can't even get any. The new 6 oz is a near exact match and turns out that the 8 oz is actually only a 6 oz fabric. The one difference is the weave is looser so it is going to be harder to work with. You will have to be careful sewing it, but the price is dirt cheap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudzu Posted November 13, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 Just got my short length of the 6 oz fabric and it is so nice looking!! I really hope it works out, it such a beautiful fabric. I almost have the Curlew modification/rebuild done and will be able to start skinning Monday of Tuesday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Tiger Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 This is very exciting. I think I'd like to use it on my new frame. At the pace I'm going it should be well tested and in stock... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodman Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 My shipment arrived yesterday....this fabric is not as stiff dosent seem to weigh as much as the fabric you used to have.....I hope it is just as durable .....fishing arround trees just below the surface, and getting high centered was never an issue with the tighter weave fabric....Just a little apprehensive. ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudzu Posted November 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 28, 2015 Just started skinning with the sample 6 oz. First impressions are good. Very easy to sew and drapes very nicely. One thing I see IT HAS NO, NONE, NADA, stretch AT ALL! That may present a challenge when I get the Baidarka Butt on this one! It is a challenge to sew in coaming with no wrinkles. It appears to have no shrinkage ability either. Stay tuned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Tiger Posted November 28, 2015 Report Share Posted November 28, 2015 A nifty trick I stole for coamings is to use drywall nails to pin the fabric through the holes, if you're doing that kind of coaming. The nails are really pointy, so fit in the weave well, and allow you to anchor the whole thing before you sew. Just remove the nails as you sew around, and use as many as you need... That might help you to get it all tight before you begin. I'm so excited to see how it works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kudzu Posted December 10, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 A nifty trick I stole for coamings is to use drywall nails to pin the fabric through the holes, Was trying to remember where I got that idea. It works really well except of the inevitable stabbing you get. Ready to paint his one, should have had it painted but I have had ZERO motivation for days now. Finally realized why and just got back from the Doctor. Waiting on the paint and some paddle time but I am impressed with the fabric. I can pull it tight and just a few, very small pull holes. I doubt it will take more than paint to fill. Skin is drum tight except around the coaming and I know what I did wrong there. I had to change the stern of the boat. There is no way I was going to get a good looking finish around the Baidarka stern. So I went back to a regular Curlew stern and it still has a few wrinkles. There just isn't any give in the weave! It should be fine on a pointed bow shops though. But you will have to have a seam down the ends. It will shrink just a little bit but you have to get it really hot! My cheap clothes iron would shrink it a little but it is nothing like the loose weave fabrics. So you better do a good job to start with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyo George Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 Jeff, have you ever tried a steamer to shrink the fabric? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Action Tiger Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 You're making me nervous being as I'm going to skin your baidarka soon, honest. Frames are going up now. How do you think it will work for a firefly? Mind you, I have experience in skinning, and have done a bit with cotton duck, which don't shrink much at all. I don't care about seams all that much. In fact, I prefer to sew around the stems, because I like the way it looks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich D Posted December 11, 2015 Report Share Posted December 11, 2015 My shipment arrived yesterday....this fabric is not as stiff dosent seem to weigh as much as the fabric you used to have.....I hope it is just as durable .....fishing arround trees just below the surface, and getting high centered was never an issue with the tighter weave fabric....Just a little apprehensive. ..... woodman - which fabric are you referring to? Have you used it yet? If so, how did it work for you? I am about to order some cloth and was thinking of trying the lighter weight, cheaper stuff this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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