I thought this was interesting and wanted to share, my friend uses Tyvek, (the stuff you wrap the exterior of a new house with) for the purses/bags she makes, she said it is really sturdy.

She will stop by construction sites and ask for some of their scraps, pretty thrifty idea.

what a good tip, thanks.

Does she use it like fabric?

pretty smart, especially for lunch totes (insulating)

That is so cool. And I can see the construction guys all across America (the world?) wondering why all these women are asking for their scraps!!!

Sounds interesting. How exactly does she use it? Is it used for stiffening, sewn to the back/inside of the fabric? :thumbup:

Anyone know if it can be machine washed?

Isn't that the same thing the Post Office free mailer bags are made of?

Tyvek is used for practically indestrutable envelopes that FedEx uses and probably others. It is waterproof, but gas permeable. Because of it characteristics, it is used in the medical device industry for much of their packaging needs when product sterlization is by gas (ETO).

Very versatile material. Love the bag lining idea! Especially for free!

Yep, the soft (not flat rate) Priority Mail envelopes are made of Tyvek. And they're free. One envelope should be enough for one bag. And lots of other neat stuff.

Hmm, wonder what the USPS would say if they knew! I have to give it a try. Someone please answer the questions of how to use the material: can it be sewn, is it used as lining, should we remove the paper part of the envelope, can we buy it?

Watch out post office :)

Yes, it can be sewn.

Hey everyone, I had to find out about this Tyvek stuff. Turns out there's a website that sells it on a 60" roll for $9.00. It's a manufactured fabric that can be sewn and used just like real fabric for lots of applications. I'd like to get some for use in purses and bags. The site is www.joggles.com.

Note of Caution: Because Tyvek can be heated and melted as well as sewn, you are warned to be extra careful not to get burned and to ventilate the room to avoid inhaling gas fumes.

So we can sew it...but can we wash it?

thanks for the tip, great idea on recycling

Yes, you can wash it. I am not sure on the wrinkle factor, though. I was given a jacket, as a promotional product, made of Tyvek with a color global map printed on it. I have not looked up the melt temp, however, I have used it in medical applications at 125 degrees long term. The first thing that happens as it gets too hot, is it becomes transparent (usually white). It may even look as though it has a melted hole, but is really clear. watch your water heater / laundry temp. and dryer temp.

Tyvek is a Dupont material, you can find more on the web, I'm sure. I have been to the factory to watch their processes. Pretty cool.

According to the Dupont website, the product will begin the melt process at 225 degree F. They sugest washing on cool cycle and air dry to prevent damage.

I wonder if it's a good idea to make lunch bags with this, I would be worried about being toxic. do you have any idea

Good question about toxic...I was thinking of using it for bibs to make water proof to clothes...

What a great idea! We have a friend who is a contractor and just started building some retirement condos. Hmmmmmmmmm.

It is a spun polyethylene. Not toxic for all sorts of uses. It is recommended for reuseable bags, and used in homes etc. I personally would not try to eat it any more than any other plastic. It's manufacturing processes do not use additives nor release agents, that have been part of the problem with other plastics.

There is no cytotoxic response using biologic cell testing. This testing has been documented. Tyvek suits are worn in medical applications all day with skin contact. I have not seen any reactions after managing many employees wearing these garments. Dupont has not performed any reuse testing. Therefore, they cannot recommend reuse and laundering. This does not mean it can't be done, only that for the uses Dupont created it for, no testing for reuse was performed.

See earlier posts regarding high temperature exposure.

Be aware that Tyvek is not impermeable to all liquids, just those with molecular sizes larger than H2O (water). Tyvek is porous to some gases, etc. This is most relervant to someone wanting to use it as a protection from some sort of toxic liquid.

Some may argue that infant formula and other things erupting from babies are toxic, but we make our own judgements there! ;)

Hello, Tink74. I see you are in Villa Park...I'm in Elmhurst right next door! :D :-) :P

I had to go to the hardware store today and decided to find out if it's available in small quantities. Turns out that store carries it but in huge quantities for insulating new homes, nothing in yardage or even small rolls. So, I guess I'll have to find a contractor and ask for castoffs.

I did my own little test Friday at work (I work in surgery and we use this product daily to gas sterilize our reusable instruments) and of course it passed the sturdy/sew test, but it failed miserably the water test...the second it got wet, it leaked out...not good for waterproofing bibs...my search continues...

Great ideas!

I kept some scrap of Tyvek and figured some day it will come in handy! Cool.

many thanks for your answer about being toxic. I sew some lunch bags for sandwiches and fruits and veggies for my great grand nieces, I will try to make them with tyvek and see how they come out. I don't intend my lunch bags for liquids, just solid food and then you just wipe them clean after each use. It's great for saving the planet.