Searching for a natural, stiff material

[Klara]

Perfectly possible, as I said I don't remember where and when in antiquity it was. But Ancient Greece is always a good possibility.

[Michael Sheldon]

Old 19th century wallets and such had accordion sections, and the dividers were commonly stiffened fabric with edges bound in very thin leather.
Try looking for "buckram" in fabric stores. It comes in different weights.

[ScottWolf]

On 4/11/2023 at 6:49 PM, SeaCitadel said:

Someone has requested from me a leather accordion-style file folder.  The part I'm pondering most over is material for the internal dividers.  I don't want to use leather just from a practical standpoint.  The request is for 12 folder slots, and all that leather I feel will weigh too much and/or be too cumbersome.  Ideally I'd like a natural material, i.e. not plastic.  I'm thinking canvas, but wondering if it will end up being too floppy.  Cardboard is also off the table because it will just end up tearing at the seams.

 

Any ideas for a natural material that is relatively thin but has a degree of stiffness?

Perhaps something like a thin piece of rawhide sewn in between very thin leather or canvas sections could provide the rigidity you are looking for.