PUL Fabrics

What is PUL:

PUL stands for Polyurethane Laminate. It is a specialty fabric that is made by heat applying a film to a fabric to make it water resistant while retaining the other properties of the fabric. Originally, it was created for hospitals that needed a water resistant fabric for mattresses that could withstand many washings and sterilization. Today, it is still used in hospitals but also for an incredible array of projects. read more

What is PUL:

PUL stands for Polyurethane Laminate. It is a specialty fabric that is made by heat applying a film to a fabric to make it water resistant while retaining the other properties of the fabric. Originally, it was created for hospitals that needed a water resistant fabric for mattresses that could withstand many washings and sterilization. Today, it is still used in hospitals but also for an incredible array of projects.

Ideas For Using PUL:

• Items for babies and children such reusable cloth diapers, swim diapers, diaper bags, burp cloths, changing mats
• Apparel and accessories: windbreakers, rain jackets and bucket hats, makeup bags, wet bags, lunch bags
• Household items: shower curtains, place mats
• Hygiene products: reusable menstrual or sanitary pads, nursing pads
• Pet accessories: dog clothes, crate covers,

Advantages of PUL:

• Light-weight and flexible
• Stretchy with excellent recovery
• Waterproof yet breathable
• Hypoallergenic
• Lint free and made to withstand many washes (over 100)

Sewing with PUL:

PUL fabrics do not shrink, no do they fray or unravel so there is no need to prewash it before sewing unless it is especially dusty.

Most, but not all, PUL fabrics are interlock knits. In which case, it's important to use ball point needles that are made for knits. Such needles will slip between the fibers rather than creating a sharp hole in your fabric. Avoid using pins while working with PUL, you can use specialty clips, binder clips, hair pins or even baste the fabric with washable glue. If you must use pins keep them to a minimum and make sure to pin within your seam allowance. To minimize the number of potential holes in your fabric it is ideal to use longer stitches and to sew with the laminated side facing the feed dogs of your machine. If you must sew with the laminated side facing your foot there are a few tricks to help prevent it from sticking to the foot. You could use a Teflon foot or, even better, a walking foot. You could also use a piece of thin paper, such as tissue paper, over your seam. Once you're done simply pull on the paper on either side of the seam and the punctured paper should rip easily.

We recommend using 100% polyester thread to avoid wicking moisture in the seam lines.

PUL can be slippery. If you need to cut layers, you might want to cut them right sides facing to minimize slipping.

How To Care For PUL:

Machine wash in warm water, tumble dry medium. Occasionally it may be cleaned in hot water for sanitation purposes.