Hair Canvas/Hymo Substitute?

[Dixiecat]

I just bought Pellon Peltex #70 Ultra Firm Stabilizer at my local Hancock Fabrics. It's a white polyester sheet good that is non-fusable, machine wahsable, and is "easy to cut/sew--even when sandwiched between other fabrics." The material's literature claims that this will not flatten out or be distorted by steam pressing and can be washed or drycleaned.

Will this work in place of Hymo or hair canvas? The cutter at Hancock's had never heard of either, but I explained their purpose. She said I could return this, if it's the wrong stuff. I'm just hard pressed to spend $10.95/yd plus $12+ in freight, if I can get a suitable substitute locally. Your thoughts?

It's not surprising that the cutter at Hancock's hasn't heard of Hymo. It's a brand name that's not generally found at large retail stores in North America. It's easier found at tailor/dressmaking supply shops here.

However, hair canvas is a different story. It's used more for men's tailoring than for women's but should be easy enough to find. Try a JoAnn, Michaels or HobbyLobby. Or, ask if they'll order it in for you, it's Pellon HC110.

I wouldn't use the polyester interfacing you found. It will eventually wear over time. As it's not a woven product, it just doesn't stand up to the strain from the weight of the wool. It also will crease easily where hair canvas has a natural spring and flexibility that resists creases. Hair canvas also breathes where the polyester doesn't.

If I couldn't get hair canvas, I'd sooner use a double layer of stiff woven sew-in interfacing, with the grains placed opposite each other, than use a polyester interfacing.