Have you ever bought any of the new laminated fabrics? If so, what have you used them for, and where did you buy them (local shop or online)?

Our sales reps have been showing them to us, and they have fun designs, for sure. But I asked the rep to send me an old sample piece, just folded in an envelope, to see how it made the journey. As I suspected, I could not get the creases out of the fabric. Naturally, I only ironed on the cotton side of the fabric, not the laminated side (which might have melted, or stuck to my iron).

The rep says that these fabrics are rolled-on-tube (as opposed to doubled on a bolt). But even so, if you bought some would you be taking it home on a tube? I'm thinking that it's much more likely that you would have it folded and put into a shopping bag and... that would introduce creases, right? Making me wonder if those creases were permanent, too? Or not? Or is it not something to worry about anyway?

I didn't know there was laminated fabric. What would be the purpose for it?

shopping bags, totes, bibs, raincoats.

I bought some at Joann's on Monday. It was with the utility fabrics - if we're talking about the same material. They were great prints.

I had bought some a few weeks ago - it was marked 12.99 but I had a coupon. This week, the bolt was marked 2.99 with a Sharpie. I asked the cutting girl to scan it, and it came up on sale for $1.99, and there was 1.75 yards left, so I got the .75 yards for 50%. She was laughing, I was grinning from ear to ear.

Moda showed some used for a child's slicker (raincoat). You could use them for reusable lunch bags, or on the (bottom) side of a picnic cloth (when you want to spread it out on the ground and sit on it). Or for baby bibs, or maybe diaper covers. Anything that you would use an oilcloth type fabric for. I'd say tablecloths too, but the designs I've seen seem too "mod" for that.

I wonder if you could get minor creases out with a steamer rather than an iron.

I can't think of a good purpose for these...baby bibs? Shower Curtains? Picnic table covers? Purse for us sloppy types?

Can't say buying any of it is in my future if my crystal ball is working right tonight :)

Mod - exactly. That's the perfect word for the patterns.

JoAnns also has some PUL fabrics - I forget exactly what the PUL is an acronym for. They are also "coated" fabrics, but they are typically knit cloth as opposed to woven.

I would love to carry some of these in our store, but I'm really worried about the crease issue.

My rep has another customer, a store that always carries fabrics with mod designs. And yes, this an internet-based store, a rising star that seems to be doing very well indeed. I can't imagine that they would pass up the chance to carry a product that fits in so well with the rest of their merchandise.

Unless... there is a REASON why they chose not to carry laminates. The last thing an internet store wants is to receive a call or e-mail from a customer saying, "Hey, I bought this fabric from you and now I can't get the creases out of it."

NO, steaming makes the vinyl separate from the cloth...

this is just like the OLD oil cloth stuff...just brought back out to make "nappy" covers and lunch bags again!

best to make you own by just buying the iron on vinyl and using your own fabrics...that way it won't look like everyone else's anyway!

These are the ones I found at Joann's. They were in with the other utility fabrics. I just loved the patterns so I bought them.

I've been wanting to make some cool looking (senior) bids for my mother - these might work for that.

These aren't shiny, shiny like some laminates, and I don't see creasing as being a problem.

The feel of the fabric is more like... thick Tyvek.

Anyway, I'm sure I'll find a use for it all.

fwiw, on eQuilter, all the laminates include this notice in the description:
NOTE:This is a bulky item and may increase your shipping cost.

Maybe they put it in really big box so it's not folded tightly or crammed into a FRE.

Good luck!