Help a newbie! What's the best fabric for a cover?

[MeadowAndColtsMama]

So this is all Dutch to me. I've never cd'd at all. Due with my third child in 10 weeks. I have pretty much decided I want to go cloth. I've been reading everything I can online. I think to start I'll just buy prefolds, as I'm pretty tired right now. But I love to sew anyway so I think I'll make my covers. I'm feeling inspired by all your great photos. I want to know:

1. What fabric do I use for the covers? In order to be waterproof?
2. What is PUL?
3. Are one size fits all covers good, even for a newborn? My last baby was 8 pounds, 9 ounces, so baby will prob. be good-sized. If so, any simple pattern recommendations?
4. I'm reading about wool soakers, do they actually keep the diaper from leaking? Seems like the pee would go right through.
5. How many covers do I need?

TIA! I'm feeling pretty clueless but hopeful! Erin

[Michigan Mama]

long post - look out.

Hi there - congrats on another muchkin on the way.

PUL is a fabric laminated on the underside. Most commonly, the fabric laminated is a knit polyester. PUL often used because it's thin, works very well at retaining moisture & gook (as long as it fits well), and not too too expensive. Well, sort of. Breathes pretty well.

Windpro fleece also works really nicely. Not all fleece is waterproof. You really need the higher quality stuff, but I find it more difficult to get your hands on, and also usually costs more than PUL. Fleece breathes better than PUL.

Wool is nice for a couple reasons: Very breathable, and natural. Some use a nice cotton interlock that runs about $20/yd, which I think is pricey, but I used a remnant of suiting wool that I got at Joann's for a lot cheaper and it worked really nicely for us. Wool isn't completely waterproof like you might think about it. Wool can absorb a whole bunch without feeling wet, but I've noticed on my ds that when he's really wet, he feels sort of damp. Another advantage is wool doesn't hold odors, and is antibacterial in nature, so you don't have to wash it as often, unless it gets soiled. However, because it's wool, you can't just toss it in with all the other diapers and wash it on hot cuz you'll wreck it. You also have to lanolize periodically (you can find that in other posts).

Whatever you do, I would recommend, if you need supplies, that you look on yahoo groups for those that have diaper fabrics. I like "kids in the garden", among others. You can get it cheaper through one of these co-ops than you can through a retail store. By the way, it would be pretty much a miracle to find PUL or Windpro fleece at a normal store.

Kids in the garden also has aplix (like velcro but better for dipes), fold over elastic (FOE), and other stuff.

There are links at the top of the diaper making section for patterns, there's also a bunch of patterns listed here: http://www.zany-zebra.com/free-cloth...patterns.shtml.

I like to have 4-5 covers now. my ds is 21 mo. Just for convenience. I have a combo of all the different styles of covers. For a little one, you'll probably want 5-6, because little ones have more poop blow outs! As you know. You'll go through more.

I've never tried a one-size cover, though I'm playing with the idea. I think it would be tough to get a really great fit on a variety of sizes. And you know when you get a huge poo....you really want to be sure you've got a great fitting cover so nothing escapes!

Sorry that was so long. Hopefully the info helps!

[MeadowAndColtsMama]

Thanks so much for all the great info. I just bought a yard of PUL off Ebay. And was able to find FOE at Joannes. So we'll see how I do. I'm going to check out Kids In The arden now! Thanks again, Erin

[Michigan Mama]

Good luck, Mama! Let us know how it goes! : )