PUL (AKA: Polyurethane Laminate) Explained
If you've ever wondered what fabric makes cloth diapers and reusable pads actually waterproof, meet PUL. It's one of the most useful fabrics you can have on hand for functional sewing, and once you know how to work with it, it opens up a whole category of projects. So let's talk about what it is, and how to sew with it well.
So, what is it?
PUL stands for polyurethane laminate — which is a fancy way of saying it's fabric (usually a knit) with a thin waterproof layer bonded to one side. That lamination is what makes it waterproof, wipeable, and just a little bit magic. It's the fabric behind cloth diapers, wet bags, protective bibs, and reusable menstrual products. Basically, anywhere you need "keeps liquid on one side, please," PUL is doing the work.
How to Sew With PUL (Without Losing Your Mind)
Skip the Pins
Every pinhole is a potential leak point. Use clips (binder clips, 'wonder clips') or a small line of glue stick to hold pieces together instead.
Use the right needle
A regular sewing machine needle will work, but if you're doing a lot of sewing with PUL, a leather or denim needle will glide through better with cleaner results. Don't forget to replace your needle often or this will be irrelevant!
Lengthen your stitch
A slightly longer stitch length (0.0-3.5mm) means fewer holes in your seam line and less chance of leaking.
Go slow
Let the machine feed your fabric through. Don't pull the fabric or it will pucker.
Use a walking foot
Sometimes PUL can be a bit grabby. It will cling to your machine and resist feeding through, especially if you're sewing from the right side. Try a walking foot or piece of tissue paper to help it glide if needed.
No ironing!
This is the big one. Direct heat will melt the laminate coating that makes PUL so special. If you need to press a seam, use a pressing cloth, keep the iron on low, and keep it moving so that no 'hot spots' occur. Better yet, finger press your seams instead of using an iron at all.
Test your seams
If your project actually needs to hold liquid, sew a test seam on a scrap first and run it under water before you commit to the final thing. There are seam finishes you can apply to add extra waterproofing if need be!
What to Make With It
Once you've got the basics down, PUL opens up a whole category of functional makes:
- Cloth diapers or diaper covers
- Reusable menstrual pads
- Wet bags for swim gear, cloth pads, or travel
- Bibs and burp cloths
- A waterproof base layer for outdoor gear or picnic blankets
It's a fabric worth having on hand. A little goes a long way toward solving a lot of "I need this to not leak" problems!
A Fabric Worth Seeking Out
PUL isn't always the easiest fabric to find, especially secondhand. It tends to show up in small batches when it shows up at all. When we do get our hands on it, we're always glad to pass it along, because good fabric deserves a project instead of a landfill.
SHOP ALL PUL