Where do I find this material?

November 12, 2020 1:23 PM

As promised, I am making a stuffed puffin to ~100% scale. I need a sample-size quantity of this glow-in-the-dark fabric or similar. It's for the beak, since most people don't have the ability to see ultraviolet light. I don't use Amazon. 6"x6" should be more than enough. Where do I get it? Please advise!

Any in-person suggestions should be strictly within Santa Rosa or Sebastapol.

Also if there is some reason glow in the dark fabric is uniquely bad for the environment, please tell me.

posted by aniola to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (7 answers total)

Looks like you can get it on Etsy.
posted by mcgsa at 1:48 PM on November 12, 2020 [1 favorite]

Best answer: That Etsy listing says that the fabric doesn't actually glow in the dark. "This listing is for a half yard of Glow in the Dark (this does NOT actually glow - it is just the name chosen by the company)...."
posted by belladonna at 2:12 PM on November 12, 2020 [3 favorites]

I would suggest glow in the dark vinyl also found on etsy or glow in the dark paint.
posted by tipsyBumblebee at 2:15 PM on November 12, 2020 [2 favorites]

This GITD Duck Tape patch from American Science and Surplus could work, by itself or adhered to a base fabric. They also have this medical tape.
posted by doift at 5:40 PM on November 12, 2020 [1 favorite]

Best answer: If your embroidery skills are up to it, you can buy glow-in-the-dark thread at craft stores or on eBay.
posted by Fuchsoid at 6:20 PM on November 12, 2020

Definitely go with a glow in the dark vinyl over fabric if the "glow" part is important to you. GITD material needs the pigment to glow... fabric dye is more like a stain, not a lot of pigment. (Plus the vinyl is shiny like a beak :) For sewing vinyl use a leather needle, and be careful bc if you have to change a seam, the stitch holes will/may show.
I bet you could get enough GITD vinyl from an inexpensive zipper pencil case or makeup bag. Plus it might be patterned/striped in a way that works.
posted by sexyrobot at 6:56 AM on November 13, 2020 [2 favorites]

(Also GITD vinyl + GITD embroidery sounds badass.)
posted by sexyrobot at 6:59 AM on November 13, 2020