Fosshape

Fosshape rolls
Credit: Wonderflex

Fosshape on form
Credit: A.Keruzec

Decsription

[Wonderflex World] A registered trademark for a nonwoven 100% polyester fabric. Fosshape® has a felt-like texture and is often called the “buckram replacement”. The fabric is heat activated (temperature range 100-130 C) to achieve rigidity, stiffness and surface enhancement. It is mildew resistant and dye-able. Fosshape has been used for costuming, lightweight crafted reinforcement, theater props and set design, craft-work, millinery headpieces, sculptures, and museum mountmaking.

Alternative Heat-activated thermoplastic developed in recent years include Celastic, Varaform, and Wonderflex.

Applications

• Construction of mannequins
• Production of mounts (usually Fosshape 600)

Personal Risk

Fosshape® [SDS Sheet]

Working Properties

• Fosshape can be cut with scissors without fraying and can be readily sewn to itself or other fabrics.
• Forming can be done with fabric steamers, an industrial hot air gun or a steam iron. The level of stiffness is achieved by adjusting heat, time and pressure. Depending on heating technique, it will shrink in the range of 15% or more.

Please see: [AIC Wiki]

Forms/Sizes

• Options: 300 grams (white, thickness=0.125"), 400 grams (black, thickness=0.135"), and 600 grams (white, thickness=0.200").
• Widths: 45″ (114.3 cm)

Resources and Citations

• Wonderflex World: Fosshape 600
• Rachael Perkins Arenstein, Lisa Goldberg, and Eugenie Milroy, ‘Support and Rehousing for Collection Storage’ In ‘Preventive Conservation: Collection Storage’ Lisa Elkin and Christopher A. Norris (eds.), Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, New York. 2019.