Camera Case Interior Felt(?)

[Andy Tanguay]

Hi All-

First post here. I've been lurking around for a good year or so, but I need some advice. TONS of great info here...the best.

Anyway, I am working on some camera cases and I want to learn a nice method for adding a felt-ish interior like the good old school cases.

If you go to the 40 second mark of this video (although it's neat to watch the process all the way through) you can see JnK applying an adhesive and then an interior fabric, which is what I'm trying to figure out.

It looks like a felt, but the felt you find at craft stores is so thick and bulky and cheap feeling. Anyone have any idea as to what this stuff is? Any thoughts on the proper adhesive would be handy too.

I've attached a sample...although I wouldn't do purple if you paid me...YIKES.

Thanks ahead of time for any ideas.

[gordond]

Hi

hard to see if this is a suede/spilt..

I did a case project a number of years back and used "baize" [pool table felt]

look into guncase and drawer linings... there a number of "tight" felt like fabrics that would be more suitable.

Pricing unknown.

[BillB]

Also check automotive parts and accessories suppliers. There are kits to felt clove boxes and other storage areas on cars that originally have the bare plastic surface showing. As for pool table cloth, be careful on what you get. There are a variety of cloths now available to be used to cover pool tables and they are not all made of felt. I just finished recovering an antique table for my sister and the material they bought is a really nice tight weave with a very closely sheared playing surface. The last table I used Felt on we used a 20oz weight and that might work well for this purpose.

[rmr]

He does nice work on the video. He used a very interesting knife ( moew square that a head or round knife) to cut the leather- anyone use one- if so do you like them and where can they be found

Thanks RMR

[Viking Queen]

If I were to line a custom made camera case I would use a fabric called Ultra Suede. It has the look and feel and drape of suede on both sides of the fabric. Can be cut to any size/shape and does not ravel on edges like regular fabric does. The only drawback is that it is quite expensive. Over $60 per yard, but for a custom leather case, it might be worth it. It's quite easy to work with and comes in many many colors. It is a bit difficult to find unless you are in a large city with specialty fabric stores.

There is quite a lot of it listed on ebay so you might try there. They often sell pieces by specific size ie 18x18" square, etc., and it comes in many many colors. It is a quite luxurious fabric and I would not hesitate to line cases, jewlery boxes, etc with it. You would just use 3M spray adhesive to attach it to the case. This would be the fabric of choice for me, much softer than any felt out there in the marketplace. I have been sewing for over 55 years and have handled and sewn with most fabrics out there and Ultra Suede (this is the brand name) is one of the nicest and easiest luxury fabrics to work with. In the garment industry it is used to make high end "faux" suede ladies suits and jackets. It is washable so does not require special dry cleaning treatment, so if interior of case gets a bit dirty or gets a spot you could use a damp sponge to clean it.

Hope this is helpful information. Post pictures of the case when it is finished, please.

Take care, Viking Queen

[dirtclod]

He does nice work on the video. He used a very interesting knife ( moew square that a head or round knife) to cut the leather- anyone use one- if so do you like them and where can they be found

Thanks RMR

The knife is from japan i think and i think Craft Japan sells them. I have seen some on ebay to look under knives in the leather craft section.

[Andy Tanguay]

Thanks everybody...this is all good stuff! I had never thought of pool table felt or new suede.

Any thoughts on a preferred adhesive? The contact cement I have is not cutting it in my tests.

thanks again!

[Andy Tanguay]

If I were to line a custom made camera case I would use a fabric called Ultra Suede. It has the look and feel and drape of suede on both sides of the fabric. Can be cut to any size/shape and does not ravel on edges like regular fabric does. The only drawback is that it is quite expensive. Over $60 per yard, but for a custom leather case, it might be worth it. It's quite easy to work with and comes in many many colors. It is a bit difficult to find unless you are in a large city with specialty fabric stores.

Great idea! That stuff is nice and soft. Seems like an upgrade even.

[Andy Tanguay]

Great idea! That stuff is nice and soft. Seems like an upgrade even.

I found a nice sampler of Ultra Suede on eBay today that will definitely prove this out. I'm excited, I like the feel of that stuff. Used to have a couch made of it. 8-)