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Waterproof and Water resistant
Despite reading Fabric school twice I still have managed to choose (and buy 3m of material) that is water-resistant instead of waterproof. Just wanted to share this with everyone. Outdoor kit needs to have taped seams and be 2 or 3 layer. Back to the drawing board for me. I had chosen a waxed cotton which is only water resistant. This is from Ana –
Regarding your product brief, that you attached in LikedIn. I had a quick look at it and one thing caught my eye. You want to have waterproof pants as a concept, but the fabric you chose is NOT waterproof. You want a 2Layer or a 3layer material and not a plain woven material without lamination or coating. And for a garment to be waterproof you need to tape the seams. Does your manufacturer have tape sealing machine?
In reply Ana, I haven’t confirmed a manufacturer yet but this will be on my list. I have definitely cocked up here
I bet that designer thinks I am an amateur…she would be right! Haha! Hope this is useful to someone else. -
4 Replies
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Does anyone know how Vaude have made this jacket waterproof? It says it is due to long cotton fibres, which make it windproof and waterproof. Has the cotton been coated with a waterproof coating? I didn’t know this was possible.Does anyone know anything about this process?
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Hi Sally. When it comes to certain cotton fabrics, they can be very tightly woven and when water hits the material, the fibers swell – making the material “waterproof”. Or it has a water resistant finish added on the fibre or the material face. The fabric is alright against rain and heavier showers but it will not compare with laminated or coated materials that have a membrane.
So theres “apples and apples” so to say…There is a huge difference. But for your need, you want the kids literally to be sitting in it, crawling around, immersing themselves in the elements without getting wet and cold, right. Then they need a seriously waterproof material for their garments with taped seams so the water won’t enter the garment through the stitches.
FOV actually has great 2 and 3L fabrics plus the cotton that we discussed about.
When you are looking at the jacket link – it’s a city jacket…. not a mountaineering jacket. Yes the material is ok in rain but you won’t be able to be outside for long it in and absolutely not put pressure on any parts of the material and keep it dry. Like when kids sit on the knees n bum f ex. The pressure makes the water go through the material. If it has a membrane, it doesn’t. ( then theres different levels of waterproofness as well, measure in water column or water pillar)
So the cotton fabric you chose could be completely fine for a jacket to play outside, at a park for 45min in light rain, but if you want the kids to be outside in the woods n mud for 8-10h in heavier rain then the cotton won’t do.
Hope this clarifies things:) -
One more thing: You could actually make a test. Create 2 identical pants: One in the cotton and another in a 2L (a 2L material garment needs to be lined) or 3L material and seriously test the garments alongside each other. You might fint the clarification you need. The cotton could work just fine for your needs or you see clearly that – nope, you need the membrane material. Test and you will see:)
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Thanks so much Ana. I am researching FOV materials and am in touch with Pernilla. It is a STEEP learning curve!! I realise that I have to answer this question first… How waterproof do the trousers need to be and like you said they need to be BOMB PROOF for children so I think I will need to opt for a recycled nylon/polyester. I think in my naivety I had high expectations of creating a totally organic garment but I see now why all my competitors use recycled plastic bottle material… regretting my last week’s blog asking why brands do this instead of using natural materials! We live and learn. I am also looking at ECONYL, I think Patagonia use it. Thanks again, Sally ps have a good weekend