making those stretchy tube things

[syzygy]

Quick question:

What is the stretchy tubular fabric that you can use to make things like these:

http://81.3.74.135/pics/idspiral1.JPG

and where can you buy it?

cheers,

Dan.

[holly]

In the US it's called SPANDEX? or sometimes LYCRA?. It is faily cheap by the yard and the good thing is even if it gets a tear or a hole it usually won't run or unravel. It's common in 5ft widths but you can also get it in 10ft widths if you want to spend big $$$$. It's mostly nylon with a patented weave so there are slight differences in the brands, but it is easy to clean and reflects light great (we have several screens made of Spandex).

The thing you need to be aware of is that there are kinds that stretch only 2-ways (side to side) and there are kinds that stretch 4-ways (side to side and up and down). it is important to know which you have because your pattern will have to change to accomodate. If you want to make hanging Naguchi designs like these it would probably be best to use 2-way stretch so you can control the length.

SpandexHouse (http://spandexhouse.com/contact.asp) is a bit of a legend around here.

[holly]

Some ready made designs are available from TRANSFORMIT (http://www.transformitdesign.com/cat05_columns.htm) for $$$$$$$$$$$$$. Probably someone in your area will rent them to you (google "special event decor spandex" etc). The ribbing is thin rods of flexible PVC which you can get at a plastics supply.

[syzygy]

so you have to sew the strip of fabric together to make tube?

[asterix]

Outdoor events have the best stuff though
sick mate (http://ozdoof.dreamreality.org/outdoorevents/RSF2005/index.html)

[cat]

Depends, I've seen some that comes ready tubed,but I'd expect to sew if I were you, especially if you want it fireproofed.
Im not sure you can spray on fireproof lycra, because of all the elastic.

[syzygy]

anyone know any suppliers in the UK - especially for fireproof stuff?

[mondo]

tom/dan

that stuff could be anything from theatrical voile to lycra to grades of cotton/lycra even

all flamechecked mind you afterwards (it doesnt come flameproofed)

best bet is to get down to your local indian fabric shop and play around (or check out teh posh dickens and jones type stores for teh plush stuff and check prices first)

there are 1000s of different materials one could use - some lightweight hexagonal meshes are cool too.

either way - sewing or stitching or iron gluing will have to happen whatever

speak to synergy crew - they have leads onto a crew who do nothing but...hope at helps

[mondo]

btw - any closer images from anyone of teh geodesic structure

was is gaiaspace??
how did they attach teh plastic to the frame??
modular or overskinned??

[mondo]

pps. that tubular stuff deffo isnt latex

more like the stuff ladies tights are made of - ie. nylon derivative of some sort