Fitted patterns and soaker fabric?

[LZP]

I purchased some luxuriously soft bamboo velour and I am really really excited to make something with it... but I dont really want to "waste" it on the inner/soaker parts of the diaper. (I'm thinking of making fitteds.)

what could I use as the inside part of the diaper, the soaker area? I have microfiber, but I heard I might have stink issues with that as the inner. I also have lots of old towels, socks (the thick kind) and t-shirts that I've been stockpiling. would these be suitable to use as a hidden soaker?

also, is there anyway to make the soaker not attached so that it dries faster? for some reason i have visions of dipes coming out feeling dry, but not really being dry to the core and then having mildew issues...

does anyone have a pattern for a nice fitted that they'd care to share? (and that maybe has a partially attached /snap in soaker??)

[oma to 9]

Hi.

Okay, first off, bamboo velour is awesome as a stay-dry layer for baby. It wicks the fabric through to the soaker underneath. It is not quite as effective as, say, fleece, but it does the job. I used it on my grandson's diapers and he really likes how it feels. I wouldn't really see it as a waste but rather as an investment in your baby's comfort.

Secondly, old towels or t-shirts also work as soaker layers. I'd stay away from the socks as the rubber in them that helps them retain their shape and stay up can cause an allergic reaction in a latex-sensitive baby.

Yes, you may have stink issues with the microfiber; however, you can have stink issues with any diaper fabric if you don't properly care for the diapers. It's a matter of washing them thoroughly in the correct cleansing agent with the right water temperature and drying them completely that will help keep them smell-free. You may have to strip the diapers once a month or more depending on your water source; this helps with mineral and chemical buildup, which causes the nasty smell. Stripping is done by adding either a couple drops of Dawn dishwashing liquid - only a couple drops is needed - or a measure of RLR to the wash water; wash the diapers in hot water, and then wash them over until the wash water has no suds in it. This will get rid of the deposits that make them reek, especially when the baby wets in the diaper. Another thing that helps is to make sure the diapers are washed with enough room for a good strong agitation in the tub. This may require you to wash them in more than one load.
Drying them completely is also essential for nice clean non-smelly diapers. This can be done using a regular dryer set on "hi" or by hanging them out on the clothesline and drying them there. The sun will help keep stains from setting as well as freshening the diapers as they hang on the line.

To make the soaker hooked to the diaper but not attached, you can do one of several things.

• Before sewing the outer and inner together, sew across the back top of the soaker, attaching it to the back of the inner. This will keep it in place but leave it free for washing and drying.

• With a pocket diaper, you can put the insert in the pocket and then sew it to the top back edge of the pocket opening. The insert will be permanently attached to the pocket area but it can be taken out and left free for washing.

• Alternately, if you are making a fitted diaper with snaps, you can attach snaps to the inner before you sew it to the outer, putting them up near the top of the back, and then put corresponding snaps on the soaker. This lets you unsnap the soaker for washing and drying purposes. If you don't want the snaps to touch the baby you can sew a flap on the back that will cover the snaps so they don't come in contact with the baby's skin.

As for patterns, there are several out there.

• http://www.ottobredesign.com/en/print/pdf/vaippa_en.pdf This is Ottobre's pattern. The measurements are metric. You can Google a metric conversion page to figure out what size is good for your baby.

• http://www.cafepress.com/cookiepants3/2695377 This used to be sold as the CookiePants diaper.

• http://littlebeanbum.blogspot.com/20...ed-pocket.html Little BeanBum front pocket diaper.

A Google search will turn up several patterns for covers as well.

I hope this helps.

Trisha, Oma to 11 :

[expatmommy]

Subbing, for the patterns......

thanks!

[LZP]

WOW TRISH!!! Thank you so much!

I did read up on making snap-in soakers, so I might go that route-0 and thanks for the suggestion of the flap to cover snaps.

I did want to clarify that I meant I didnt want to use the bamboo velour for the soaker layers that are hidden, but will probably use it for the top layer of soakers, and the inners of some fitteds.

I already made a pocket this weekend... but will just have a totally removable soaker for that.

Thanks again for all the tips- I'll let you know what patterns I used.