wool soaker question

[mother culture]

I am currently into making wool soakers out of thrift store sweaters and then aplique cute little designs onto them. I had a question for moms who have done this. How do you decide on a pattern when all of the knits have different stretch? All of my soakers have come out different sizes! Do any of you have pictures of your homeade soakers? I will get some pics up soon!

[JennInSeattle]

I've only done homemade longies and I used instructions but not a pattern if you know what I mean. Personally I just put the arms on Nathan and marked it up. Then I pinned it exactly where I marked and tried it on again. When it fit well I sewed them up and it worked! So, I'd try pinning it together after cutting it and then adjusting as needed so you're getting the right fit for the amount of stretch that particular sweater has. :

[Sophiasmomma]

great advice jen! Also if you have a pair that fits just right try using that as your guide or pattern to make more

[mother culture]

Thanks mammas for your replies!
Another question how thin of a jersey wool have you gone? I have some that is thin and I am thinking that I should double it in the crotch. Will a thin one leak if it is well lanolized?

[JennInSeattle]

A thin one will leak even if it's well lanolized unless you're not using pants. I had a one layer thin merino jersey one from Fern and Fairie (recycled sweater) and it would leak when any pressure was on it even when it was well lanolized. If you have a super thin jersey I'd triple the layers if possible and if not then I'd triple it from the front through the middle. The front of the diaper tends to get just as saturated as the middle for my son (a semi-front wetter) and it's really important to keep the waistband of the pants dry to me.

So - I hope that helps a little.