cloth wipes questions.. - Page 2

[Chryseis]

Originally Posted by Oliver's Mama

I bought the fabric today and splurged and got a sewing machine instead of doing the pinking shears way. I'm planning to do some flannel, and some flannel/terry, but the terry seems very unravely already- is it going to be a huge mess to prewash it? I figure I better prewash, especially if I'm putting two different fabrics together. Should I sew around the edges of the whole bolt before washing. Totally clueless here!!! afraid to open the sewing machine box!!!!

I honestly don't know what to do in that situation. All of the terry I used was from pre-used/washed towels. When I cut them they did make a huge mess, so I'd imagine they'd make a mess in the washer/dryer, but I wouldn't know how to stop that.

[Pinoikoi]

suggested quanitities? (one baby- min? Max?) Thanks.

[sprouthead]

regarding quantity- I just used 2-3 dozen infant washcloths and that seemed to be a good amount..

regarding solution- I use my old peri bottles and just fill them w/ water. The water is usually room temp that way, and my son never seemed bothered by it.. I keep one at the changing table and one in the diaper bag.

[Sharlla]

I have WAY too many wipes. dozens of them. Most that just get used for mama cloth though. I'd say for diapers, 2 for every dipe is pretty good.

[Oliver's Mama]

multiple wipes styles?

Well, I attempted to sew flannel/terry wipes (yup, it was a HUGE mess in the washer!! several inches lost on each bolt due to tangled up frays!)
I borrowed my mom's serger, but I had a heck of a time with the terry, it was just frustrating so I'm looking for a different solution, as I think the terry will only go through the serger as it's own single layer (terry was too thick- kept stalling the machine, especially when the serger had to trim it, terry kept stretching out more than flannel, making everything very uneven)

So I was thinking I can still salvage the material I have and do double layered flannel wipes, then single layered terry. But when it comes to diaper changes, is that going to be a PITA.. having to dig around in the basket of wipes once I see what kind of mess is in the diaper?

Or.... what if I serge a single layer flannel, serge a single layer terry, then just do a basic by-hand whip stitch to create one wipe? I just think in the end having the two different fabrics on one wipe would be nice- one to scrub off the goo and the other to wipe clean.

[Cameron's Mommy]

I JUST prewashed some terry that I picked up yesterday and it was a HUGE MESS in the washing machine! I should have maybe placed it in a laundry bag? i don't think that terry shrinks much anyway though

[Oliver's Mama]

Originally Posted by Cameron's Mommy

I JUST prewashed some terry that I picked up yesterday and it was a HUGE MESS in the washing machine! I should have maybe placed it in a laundry bag? i don't think that terry shrinks much anyway though

Laundry bag would have been a good idea- I washed six different pieces at once, so it was the intermingled tangling that really caused problems- I was reaching into the washer with scissors!

Anyways, serging the flannel and terry separately worked great and quick, then I did a hand whipstitch to put the two pieces together- it held up nicely through the wash again. yay! too bad it took me several hours to make 4 wipes! I think now that it's figured out I can go faster.

I think I have enough fabric now to make 60. Sound good? I may go ahead and serge all the pieces, and save the some of the hand-stitiching for my labor project.. just over a month to go!

[Pinoikoi]

I now am the proud owner of 56 brand new cloth wipes.

I bought 3 packs of new organic wipes off of craigslist- 1 doz imse vimse, 1 doz bumgenius, and 1 doz of something else organic no name.. $30

Then I bought a tenpack of thirsties.. $10 and 4 of each kissaluvs terry and kissaluvs organic something... I think those were almost $16 total..

I also got some baby butt spray bumgenius and a bottle of foaming stuff that I think is locally made (Northern Essence?) I got a hanging wetback in pink.. $10.. I have a small one for the diaper bag, but I figured I would need one for the diaper station to stick the dirty wipes in.

I ordered the wipes warmer online last night (thanks Dad!)..

So I think my diaper station is set now! Just got to wait for the mail!

[itsy]

I made my own by quickly cutting up flannel and simple stitching the edges (straight stitch, nothing fancy) and they are great. And free. I use a wipes warmer and water/almond oil/tea tree oil as a solution. As for size, I made them by eyballing butthey fit in the warmer and I fold them in half to go it so they are a good size. I also use some baby facecloths. So, that's a good size to go by if you want to measure.

[maptome]

I made cotton flannel wipes and after using them for 7 months they feel like sandpaper. I tried doing a vinegar wash to soften. Does bamboo roughen over time?

[diapershops]

I have about 30 total wipes on hand. I personally like the Thirsties wipes but you can make your own by getting fleece and cutting 8x8 squares. (You don't have to sew the edges but if you don't want the fleece to curl under serging might be advised.) When I am out and about I take 8-10 wipes, fold them in half, and run them under water and put in a small Planet Wise Wet Bag. This is the perfect size for cloth wipes on the go.