Thrifting for Material

[retro.mama]

Could we put together a list of materials that are readily available at thrift stores that have worked for people? I'm thinking it would include fiber contents to look for. There are the given pieces: t-shirts (100% cotton) and flannel sheets and shirts. But what about velour? I've found many very large house coats that are 100% polyester and velour like; would they work for a stay-dry liner? What wool content sweaters work well? Will a wool blend work?

When you go thrifting for material, what do you look for?

[rachelsmama]

I doubt that velour would work, but fleece might work for waterproof layers. Don't forget towels and receiving blankets, some thrift stores do up bags of towels and such for rags. They're not pretty, but make good absorbent layers.

[retro.mama]

Do you mean velour that you get from a thrift store wouldn't work, or that velour in general doesn't work as a liner? Is velour sold for diapers different than that sold for clothing?

[thixle]

I never did stay-dry liners... I want my kiddos to know they are wet. I don't have a problem changing often. I don't see why the velour wouldn't work, though. Suede cloth is supposed to do the same, and I was quite shocked at the weird plasticy feel of it (you know cause everyone loves it so much). Anyway. Polyester is non-absorbant, velour is pretty soft. Couldn't hurt a bit to try it. What's the worst that could happen? It would feel wet!

Wool blends work well- as long as it's not blended with something absorbant like cotton I shoot for at least 75-80% wool. Though 100% acrylic sweaters also work- they just get stinky fast and you have to wash them often (you might get it to last through a day)- you don't lanolise acrylic.

50/50 poly cotton sheets work very well. Stays smooth and doesn't pill. The layers hold up well for pocket diapers. Pillowcases are nice, too for the same reason. Oh, and they seem to stay cooler than 100% cotton in hot, humid, southern summer weather.

100% cotton wovens are very nice, too of course. I find them easier to sew than knits.

--Don't forget to check the sewing notions! I found a big roll of snap tape for 10cents one time! Sometimes you can find velcro and elastic, too.

[leerypolyp]

My favorite homemade pockets are made out of thrifted turtlenecks -- a heavy all-cotton knit with a lot of body and a little stretch to it, nicer than most t-shirts because they were winter-weight. (I used them stuffed with infant prefolds and under wool covers.) They were my daughter's favorites!

[retro.mama]

Thanks for the replies. I didn't know that blends of cotton would work and that opens us a whole new area to look at. I was looking for 100% cotton sweatshirts and was only able to find blends. This helps a lot since I have a thrift store that offers them for $.50 each.

I also will now be looking for cotton turtlenecks. The thrift store is a little short on t-shirts right now, and I like the idea of thicker cotton. Plus there's a little more material in a long sleeve shirt.

Thanks! Any more ideas?

[ktmama]

I'm recycling flannel sheets for the two inner layers in my fitteds and also using it for the outside layer. The only layer that needs to be super soft IMO is the inside that's next to the baby. I'm also using t-shirts and receiving blankets for the inner layer and the outside. I was lucky to get 27 MotherEast doublers on Freecycle that I'm cutting up for the soaker.

[mamapixie]

Flannel sheets, especially king size flat sheets. Great for diapers, most that I've bought are way thicker than the flannel you can buy at fabric stores.

Wool sweaters and fleece sweatshirts for covers.

I personally HATE sewing tshirts, the stretch drives me insane, really any stretchy fabric, I hate using it.

[SuzyLee]

I have used holey dishrags for inners of inserts. And cruddy looking old towels.

My fave was 100% cotton velvet curtains. Huge flat piece of fabric (so easy to cut out diapers), and it was very absorbant! Lovely purple color and so soft to the touch.

[mum06]

I also go for the flannel sheets and baby blankets. I like to keep my diapers simple: flannel, flannel, flannel. I had to replace my own flannel sheets this year and have enough flannel to last me forever! I stay away from T-shirts too: way too stretchy!