Making my first Fitteds. . . . Help!

[mrscompgeek]

I have CD my baby since she was 3 weeks old so Im not new to CDing. . Just new to sewing diapers. I currently use BG AIO's and Thirsties Fitteds. . I want to try to make some fitteds like the thirsties cause I LOVE the fit of them but not the $14 price! I traced one of the fitteds so I have the pattern now, I just need to know what fabric.
Whats the best fabric for ABSORBANT fitteds? I thought about doing Terry cloth, or Flannel? I also thought about using flannel on the outside and suedecloth on the inside cause I love how the suede draws the wetness away from her skin. Any advice on what your favorite fitted material is to use?? When you make a fitted how many layers of soaker do you put? Im going to use microfiber towels for the soaker but how many layers?? Im thinking 3? Is that too much?
And whats your favorite way of putting elastic in? Is there a big difference in the wear/fit of sewing the elastic in a casing and making it look finished and letting the edge of the legs look like "lettuce"? (sorry dont know the proper terms for it! Lol) Like the goodmamas I mean.
Thanks!!

[lalemma]

Originally Posted by mrscompgeek

Whats the best fabric for ABSORBANT fitteds? I thought about doing Terry cloth, or Flannel? I also thought about using flannel on the outside and suedecloth on the inside cause I love how the suede draws the wetness away from her skin. Any advice on what your favorite fitted material is to use??

I have a number that are flannel outers/suedecloth inners, and they work well. One thing to consider is that neither flannel nor suedecloth has any stretch, so you won't get the wide fit range you'd get with a fitted made of knit/stretchy fabrics. Flannel is also pretty thick, so if trimness is a concern, maybe not the way to go. But I like flannel- it washes and dries well and is easy to work with.

When you make a fitted how many layers of soaker do you put? Im going to use microfiber towels for the soaker but how many layers?? Im thinking 3? Is that too much?

I have a few fitteds with internal soakers and some with external soakers - I like the ease of use of the internal ones, but they take forever to dry. So overall I think I prefer the external soakers.

I like a fold-over soaker of flannel/microfiber/flannel, topped with a stay-dry layer like suedecloth. That gives you four layers of flannel and two of microfiber in the wet zone, which I think is plenty. Also it means that you never have to touch microfiber. Yay!

And whats your favorite way of putting elastic in? Is there a big difference in the wear/fit of sewing the elastic in a casing and making it look finished and letting the edge of the legs look like "lettuce"? (sorry dont know the proper terms for it! Lol) Like the goodmamas I mean.

I usually put elastic in the seam allowance, but I have some where the elastic is free-floating in a casing. To be honest, I don't notice much functional difference. Putting the elastic in the seam allowance is easier, but if you ever need to replace the elastic, it's easier if it's floating in a casing.

Serged diapers have those lettuce edges - it just happens from putting the elastic a half-inch or so in from the edge and then serging around the whole diaper. I think there are people who do something similar with turned-and-topstitched diapers, but I don't know the details.

My serged fitteds seem, if anything, a little rougher on the baby's legs than T&T diapers. I like them fine, but they're not, IMO, "better".

HTH!

[cristeen]

For fabric, I definitely prefer fleece (not poly) or velour over flannel. They both have more surface area so don't feel as wet and can absorb more. I've made 1 flannel fitted, it's only 3 layers of flannel, yet it comes out of the dryer still damp every time, while my other 30 dipes are dry.

Definitely go with external quick dry soakers - either snap in or sewn in. Internal soakers require a LOT more drying. I've gotten rid of my dipes with internal soakers.

[mrscompgeek]

Can you use the fleece like walmart has or is that bad fleece? How can I tell which one is wicking and which one repels?

[Nicole730]

If the material is polyester, it will allow the liquid to go through it, but will feel dry. If the material is cotton, with will absorb the liquid and feel wet. So if you are looking for a stay dry inner material, then check that it is 100% polyester. Walmart fleece, a thinner variety so the diaper isn't bulky, should be fine for that. If you want to use the fleece as the outer layer or a cover, then buy the thickest you can find. I'm not sure how thick Walmart's is, but I've gotten it at JoAnns.

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by Nicole730

If the material is polyester, it will allow the liquid to go through it, but will feel dry. If the material is cotton, with will absorb the liquid and feel wet.

Not true. Standard fleece repels. It makes good covers, but is not for inside the dipe. This is the stuff you find everywhere. For wicking you want micro-fleece, and I haven't found that anywhere locally. I've made the mistake of using the wrong one inside dipes and had to deal with the leaks it caused.