In the wake of the demise of Timtex I’ve been doing a little stabilizer research. I purchased a several online nd played around with some from JoAnn’s and I’m posting my findings here. The contestants:
1) Peltex 70. Available at JoAnn’s for under $5/ yard. It comes in 22″ width. This is a nice product, but thinner and more flexible than Timtex. When I use this in the bottom of a bag, I’ll often sew 2 layers together for the stability that I want. Peltex 71 is fusible on 1 side and Peltex 72 is fusible on 2 sides. They get thicker and pricier as you add a layer of glue.
2) Stiffy. This is not a comparable substitute for Timtex. It is very similar to Peltex 70. It is so very cheap at less than $2/yard but you’ll have to pay shipping if you can’t find it locally which brought my order to about $4/yard. It comes on a roll and is about 20″ wide. One drawback is when I ironed it, my sewing room started to smell like a barnyard. 
3) Fruedenberg. I’ve only seen this product at JCarolineCreative.com for $4.75/yard. It is similar to Peltex 70, but has a stiffer, more papery feel. It isn’t a good substitute for Timtex but I can see some great uses for it, like drafting my pattern pieces on it. It comes on a 57″ roll so expect the package at your door to be VERY tall.
4) Fast2Fuse. I haven’t actually touched or used this in person. I haven’t been able to find it locally and having it shipped to me will cost me about $17/yard. I have heard from reliable sources (a local quilt shop owner included) that it is VERY similar to Timtex, although it doesn’t seem to be made by the same mill. I’ll update here when my very expensive order arrives. Alright, my Fast2Fuse arrived and I was disappointed. It’s hugely expensive for a stabilizer and is comparable to Peltex 70. There are 2 thicknesses - regular and heavyweight and quite honestly, I can barely tell the difference.
6) HTCW’s FlexiFirm single-sided fusible available at Expert Stitch. This is great stuff! Thanks to Quenna and Marcea for telling me about it! It’s 30″ wide and is lightly glued one 1 side. It has some extra umph that Peltex doesn’t have and is affordable. At Expert Stitch you can get a 25% discount with a Tax ID. It’s about $4.50/yard plus shipping.
And the winner in the Timtex look and act alike contest?
Number 6: FLEXI FIRM!
This is a great stabilizer by itself, or if you need stronger support, double it up. This is my final solution for the Car Organizer and I couldn’t be happier. Well, I guess I could be happier if Timtex came back, but for now, I’m at least feeling very relieved!
Oh no, I didn’t know they weren’t selling Timtex anymore…I have an entire bolt of it that I’ve been hoarding and afraid to use, minus one small piece. Now I’m REALLY afraid to use it!!!
Wonder if you saw my parents at First Monday. My dad has been taking car parking money and my mom working for one of the vendors for a few years now to give themselves “spending money” for the month now that they are retired.
Isn’t First Monday great! There is probably nothing you couldn’t find there if you wanted to. I’m just sorry I now live 1200 miles away.
And when I remember all the wooden spools which got thrown away while I was growing up! Mom could be a millionaire now.
Timtex has always been something that I have never even seen. I don’t know what the alternative for it in australia is but I always just use something that “looks like it would do the job”. Just keep in mind that using something not brand name is generally easier to find.
Have you thought of Peltex and canvas as a substitute? I have a AB bag pattern calling for timtex and I am going to try that combo.
Thanks for the great information!
I have used a thick product that I found at Joanns which is VERY sturdy just like Timtex my only problem is sometimes my needle breaks. do you use a special heavy duty needle when using something this “strong”/”thick”?
I had not heard Timtex was no longer being made! I’ve only used it once and found it a bit unwieldy. But your car organizer is so cool, I’ll use whatever you rec!
That’s a good comparison to have handy. Thanks!
Yikes - I did not know we lost Timtex - I immediatly went to my last supplier - Fabric.com and sure enough, no Timtex. I have been considering Buckram. Have you tried it?
It seems I was out of it too - No more Timtex? I was wondering why my local store didn’t carry it anymore… I find that the heavyweight Peltex does the job pretty well (maybe the 70? Dunno). I actually like that it’s a bit more flexible. I don’t love the fusible stuff though!
I’ve never used Timtex but can’t imagine why something that seems to be so popular would be discontinued. I ordered some ’stiffy’ and was surprised at how flimsy it was! For my purse bottoms I use inner-fuse (found at Joannes in the notions section). It’s very stiff and fusible on both sides. It’s what people make those fabric bowls from but the package also says it’s for purses. I only buy it when I have coupon as it’s expensive. I sandwich it between 2 pieces of fabric and iron the heck out of it. I then drop it into the bottom of a finished purse for a removeable bottom. I use fusible fleece for my bag bodies. It adds structure without weight but I don’t know if it would work for your car organizer.
I’ve never used Timtex, so I may not know what I am missing. I will have to bookmark your report for future use. Thank you, Linda.
I’ll be interested in your thoughts on the fast2fuse. Have you looked at Flexi firm fusible (single or double)? I heard it was slightly thicker than the fast2fuse. I’m researching them as a possible interfacing for kid-sized overnight bags.
Wow, that is some serious thickness! Is Timex that thick? My machine would lose.
I love the bag! I love the design, and I love the fabric. Just fabulous!
Cookie
Thank you for sharing this info - I’ve only used the Peltex.
Thank you for your review of the stabilizer! I went to the fabric mill by me, and checked out the various stabiliers they have. I bought their very last yard of Timtex. Whoot! They had Fast2Fuse there, too, and what they had didn’t seem as stiff as Timtex, but still it was pretty stiff (and expensive!)
Hello, have you tried htcw’s flexi-firm? It is a great, firm product, with a nice even consistency.
I prefer the 9290, non fusible interfacing. It is difficult to get the 60″ width that I look for with a baby product that I am working to manufacture. They also offer a designers discount if you are buying in bulk/ wholesale at expertstitch.com.
It is a great product, but I admit I am frustrated trying to reliably source it.
good luck!
Wow, great research. Thanks for sharing your finds. It will be helpful.
I just want to thank you for all the great info that you continuously share on your blog. Not only are your project terrific but I have truly learned so much here.
Renee