How to Choose Sale Materials for Hide and Cover Projects
By Wildlife Watching Supplies - Kevin Keatley - Wildlife Watching Supplies | Published: 2026-10-31
Category: How-to Guides
A practical, step-by-step guide to picking sale fabrics for hide and cover projects, from checking width and weight to deciding whether unproofed polycotton suits your build.
Quick answer
Start with the job the fabric must do, then match width, weight and proofing to it before you order. For a simple, breathable cover or a lightweight hide panel, the Sale Item Black/Charcoal Lightweight Polycotton Material gives you a 1.5 m wide, 250 g/m run cloth at a low price; for a waterproof layer, choose the blue waterproof PU nylon in the Sale Item - Range of Materials.
Why the cheapest fabric is not always the right fabric
Sale fabrics are priced to clear, not to suit every project. A lightweight unproofed cloth can be ideal for a sunshade or a breathable hide panel, but it will not keep rain out on its own. A waterproof nylon will shed rain but may be less breathable and can feel clammy in still, warm conditions. Decide which property matters most for your build before you add a length to your basket.
The width and weight trade-off
A 1.5 m wide fabric lets you cut generous panels without joining, which saves time and seams. But weight matters too: 250 g/m run is light enough to carry and drape, yet heavy enough to hang with some body. If you need a very packable cover, lighter is better; if you need the fabric to fall straight and resist flapping, a slightly heavier cloth usually behaves better. Neither sale fabric is supplied with a proofing rating, so treat any waterproof claim as a property of the specific material named, not a general guarantee.
When unproofed polycotton is the sensible choice
Unproofed polycotton suits projects where airflow and a matte finish matter more than rain protection: inner hide linings, lens and window covers used under shelter, or scrim panels that take the edge off your outline. It is also easier to sew and repair than coated fabrics. The catch is that it will wet out in sustained rain, so plan a separate waterproof layer or use it only in dry conditions.
Step-by-step: choosing sale materials for hide and cover projects
- Define the cover's main job: Write down whether the fabric must block rain, hide your outline, diffuse light or simply line a frame. Common mistake: buying on price alone and later finding the cloth cannot do the one job you needed. If rain protection is essential, shortlist the waterproof PU nylon first.
- Check the usable width against your panel size: Measure the widest panel you need to cut. Both sale materials are 1.5 m wide, so a panel wider than that will need a join. Checkpoint: add seam allowance before you decide the width is enough. A 1.5 m width covers most single hide panels; wider roofs need planned joins.
- Match weight to how you will carry and use it: The polycotton is 250 g/m run, which is light enough to pack but has enough body to hang. If you need a very compact cover, favour the lighter cloth; if you need the fabric to fall straight, accept the extra bulk. Checkpoint: weigh your planned metre length against your pack space.
- Decide whether unproofed is acceptable: The black/charcoal polycotton is not proofed. Use it for inner linings, dry-weather scrims or sheltered covers, and add a waterproof outer layer if rain is likely. Common mistake: assuming 'polycotton' means showerproof. Treat unproofed cloth as breathable, not rain-ready.
- Order the exact metre length and allow for mistakes: Both sale materials are sold in one length of metres as ordered. Measure each panel, add seam and hem allowances, then add a little spare for cutting errors. Checkpoint: recheck your total before checkout, because the length you order is the length supplied.
- Plan seams and proofing before cutting: If you join panels, decide whether the seam needs sealing or overlapping. For unproofed polycotton, a simple hem is usually enough; for waterproof nylon, plan how to protect the stitch line. Common mistake: cutting first and discovering the seam plan too late. Mark seam allowances on the fabric before you pick up the scissors.
Sale materials at a glance
- Sale Item Black/Charcoal Lightweight Polycotton Material: Black/charcoal lightweight polycotton, 1.5 m wide, 250 g/m run, not proofed, sold by the metre as ordered. A breathable, drapeable cloth for inner panels and dry-weather covers; order the exact metre length you need and plan separate rain protection.
Sale Item Black/Charcoal Lightweight Polycotton Material - Sale Item - Range of Materials: Range includes blue waterproof PU nylon, 4 oz, 1.5 m wide, and black lightweight polycotton, 1.5 m wide, 250 g/m run, not proofed; sold by the metre as ordered. Lets you compare a waterproof outer layer with a breathable inner cloth in one order, so you can build a layered cover without mixing suppliers.
Sale Item - Range of Materials
