fabric suggestions for dipes

[grdnnt]

this is my first post other than intro on the boards so hope doing it all right

I just made my first dipe, used the octobre pattern but took off the front tabs and plan to make it skinnier through the crotch and the back tabs a touch longer on the next one. I did not follow the octobre instructions fully, used this tutorial http://mayna.livejournal.com/198548.html to sew in the elastic.



I am new to cloth diapering, have always wanted to and planned to start with DD, but she same early and I was not fully ready. Now even though she is seven months (but a small seven months!- she is tiny) I am determined to get her in cloth.



For the soaker part I used two peices of an old washcloth and then I think 6 layers of flannel. Have not tried it out yet for absorbancy but happy with the fit and plan to just tweak the pattern a little and think we should be good.



I did the inner lining in flannel, had sewed the soaker to another flannel layer and then planned the outer to be a fleece. I did put them in the wrong order though, so have from inside out: Flannel with soaker sewed to it (not touching baby, but can see the sewing marks),inner layer of fleece, then outer layer of flannel.



I did just receive my PUL in the mail (got two yards plus shipping for 24$) thought this was not too bad.



And on the search for some stretch binding to play with some covers so not all of them need to be PUL outer



So my main questions:



What would you suggest for a soaker layer? I have read old t-shirts or flannel layers combinde with washcloths or terry. (I have an old set of fannel sheets that have lost the stretch so have tons of flannel!) and always saving old washcloths/towels to use as rags so have plenty of these things around.



Is fleece absorbant or not? I read on-line that it is not, but then see so many that seem to be nice fleece lined. Is it a good inner lining or not? I would love to line in some in fleece.



What are your favorite fabrics to use?????



just started one-handing it!!!



any tips for sewing on PUL? do I need polyester thread or is cotton ok?



I would like to try doing some AIO's- with fleece or flannel inner, then an inside layer with the soaker sewed to it (prob also flannel or old t-shirt material {what would dry faster?}) and then have the PUL as the outside.










thanks and any thoughts/tips are wecome !!!!!!!!!



nikki mommy to e 08/01, b 11/03, ^m^ 05/07 and c 04/08

[Michigan Mama]

I think you'll be happy with switching to cloth - I'm sure glad i did! And you're doing fine with your posting. : )

Here's a few thoughts. Any of your "recycled" materials would work - you'll have to play with the layering to see what works, obviously you'll need less towel than you would t-shirt or flannel. The one thing I don't like about a thick fitted or AIO is that it takes a long time to dry. So you're probably better of to make 1-2 and see how you like them, and make adjustments as neeeded. I made a couple that I put a soaker on the inside like you did, but not super thick. Then i made another separate soaker that I sewed into the diaper, just one one end, below the elastic in the back. So it's less layers together and dries faster.

You must use polyester thread - cotton will cause wicking and your babe's clothes will get wet!

Fleece does not add absorbancy, but it does wick moisture away from baby. Some moms prefer only natural fibers next to baby's skin, but my son has sensitive skin and does better with the fleece. It keeps his skin feeling dryer. It's personal preference, really. When I'm using prefolds or fitteds, I often just put a fleece liner in there (cut 5 x 12) - it wicks moisure away from the skin and also makes the poop clean up easier. It usually flakes off pretty easily into the toilet.

What else - if you're sewing PUL, have the PUL side down, not up. If you need to have it up, use a walking foot if you have one. It can take a little practice, so don't get flustered.

My favorite diaper fabrics are bamboo and hemp. Bamboo is really soft and hemp is super absorbant. Both are sustainable/eco-friendly.

kids in the garden has some nice fabrics as well as notions, like FOE and are really nice to work with. You could try wazoodle, too.

Good luck and let us know how they turn out!

[AlwaysByMySide]

Bamboo is a favorite at my house; I make inserts from bamboo french terry that are ridiculously absorbent. Beats the heck out of flannel any day. (You could make a bunch of wipes with the flannel sheets.)

I get my bamboo from First Gear, on Hyena Cart. I've also gotten some in the past from Celtic Cloths, though it looks like their stock is hit or miss lately.