I need, at most, a couple square feet of the stuff. I've never handled the material. I get the impression that it is like a sheet of plastic that breathes. As near as I can tell, it's used in some filtration systems, and in some types of bandages. The problem is that in a bandage, the usage will be very small and very expensive since purchase of the entire bandage will be necessary (and I doubt the material will be identified on a package), and industrial uses go through very large volumes of the stuff - cheap on a square foot basis, but not if you have to buy hundreds of square yards at a time. Anyone know this stuff? Or where I night find some small pieces retail? I've only started looking. Maybe science supply stores have it. I haven't checked.
Have you looked into sew-in interfacing fabric? I know that that some of the fusible interfacing stuff is non-woven, so I'd assume that the sew-in type comes that way too. It's found at stores that carry fabric by the yard and also online.
How about the synthetic black fabric they use to cover outdoors flower beds, it covers the ground, stops the weeds from growing, but has some open weave which allows water to pass through. These are sold in different sizes at the hardware store. Curious about your project?
I want to repair an old print - tears in the paper. The source I read calls for wheat starch glue (which I believe I can make), and Japanese kozo tissue (for which I have found a local supplier). The non woven polyester is part of the finishing. You apply the patch, cover it with the polyester, cover that with blotting paper (which I have), then apply a weight. The purpose is to eliminate cupping in a repair that uses water-based adhesive. The blotting paper absorbs moisture through the polyester. The polyester prevents the blotting paper from sticking to the repair and will not stick to the repair itself. You want the adhesive to be water based because you want the repair to be reversible (at least I do). Really tiny amounts of any of this stuff is a lifetime supply, but you have to expect that these materials will be available in minimum amounts that are still much more than actually needed.
Isn't interfacing (for tailoring) a non-woven polyester? And I have seen tags in those "new" rather flimsy shopping totes that give the material as non-woven polyester...................
So fabric stores might have it? Apparently there's non woven nylon as well that has similar properties.
That's where I've always bought mine. Admittedly, it's been a looooong time since I've sewn anything that required interfacing, but I would think that they still carry it. If I remember, it's on a bolt and they cut off the amount you need. Edited to add: You might call the store first to be sure ... sewing is becoming a lost art, and they may only keep on-hand the more popular fusible stuff (which would probably not be what you are looking for - not sure what makes it fuse when heated)
I have a package of tear-away interfacing in the house, no clue when I bought that, and it's rayon with a little poly. It's the right idea since interfacing is a non-woven. Florists use a nonwoven fabric to wrap bouquets in nicer places. Maybe if you ask nicely one of them would sell you a few sheets. I think they come with a hole in the center, but that wouldn't be much of a problem.
I haven't heard of polyester film being permeable by water vapor. A piece of Tyvek sounds more suitable. Either a scrap from a construction site or a Priority Mail pouch.
If all you need is nonstick, nonpermeable and cheap, get some waxed paper from the supermarket. If it doesn't work, it's still great for wrapping food so you can nuke it, or to separate homemade burgers for the fridge or freezer.
