What's your favorite, trimmest, most absorbant soaker material?

[stampingmom]

Name your favorite please.... And do tell how many layers you use of it for the soaker pretty please.

I'm trying to decide what I want to use. I want something that will be trim, that is a big thing for me. And of course I want it absorbant but without compromising the trimness.

SO please tell me what you use and love.

[happeeevraftr]

microfiber. I know many don't like it because of how it feels--I think it's kind of icky too--makes you feel like you have really dry skin! But it's super cheap--I bought a dozen 16x16 towels at Sam's for $3. My diapers are going to be really skinny so the soaker has to be skinny too, so I'm going to use 5 layers. I could get away with 3-4, but they're so cheap that I'd rather make them all extra absorbent. For a normal size soaker (like the size of a FB insert), I'd say 3 layers would be plenty. I can stuff a FB with one towel and she'll stay dry all night (12-13 hours).

But I'd like to know what other people use too. Some day when I have lots of money, I want to make wool-in-ones like this: http://www.sewdiapers.com/woolinone.htm and I'd like to use natural fabrics for the soaker. But I'll want it to be trim and absorbent, of course!

[Basylica]

I ick out with micro too, I refuse to even consider using it. *shudder*

But I bet if you folded up a soaker and sewed it down, and then "wrapped" it in another absorband fabric, you would have the best of both worlds!

Something like OV or organic fleece...yanno??

[MiBabyChris03]

I use Microfiber in my pockets for nighttime but if you don't like that choice hemp is an alternative. I haven't been able to try it out myself my daisy-doodles all are hemp socker and are very trim with 3 layer of hemp french terry. HTH.

[Sophiasmomma]

hemp and good flannel are always my soaker choices.

[JLav]

I use microfiber towels too...they're cheap, super absorbant and dry pretty fast. I hate working with them, they feel weird and make a mess. I'd rather be using something a little more natural, but they are working for me right now. For my pocket diapers I just use one towel, tri-fold it and stuff it in, at night I'll sometime put 2 in. For the internal soaker in fitteds I use 2 layers sandwiched between 2 layers of flannel. They take a little longer to dry with the extra flannel, but they're nice and absorbant.

[stampingmom]

Originally Posted by Sophiasmomma

hemp and good flannel are always my soaker choices.

what would be considered good flannel? Sorry I know it's a dumb question but I don't really know alot about fabric yet.


I will look for the microfiber towels. Since they are soooo cheap I might use them too.

[TrishWSU]

Originally Posted by stampingmom

I will look for the microfiber towels. Since they are soooo cheap I might use them too.

Check the automotive section at Wal-Mart. That's where I've found them, but I think I'm going to check out Sam's. I got 8 for almost $5 at WM.

They are cheap and super absorbant. That's why I love them for both pocket stuffers and internal soakers. Plus, they don't have the stiff feeling inside a fitted like I've gotten w/ flannel or t-shirt soakers. Just don't put them directly against baby's skin.

[onediaperinmama]

Diaper flannel
Birdseye

Both of those are so trim, and really absorbent. Use 8 layers in a soaker pad.

Or for less layers, I like hemp french terry (3 - 4 layers) but hemp can retain smell and can be hard to get clean, so I mostly use these for quick dry soakers that can open up or snap out and get cleaner in the wash.

Sherpa knit terry is fairly trim as well - 3 - 4 layers.

[stampingmom]

Thanks ladies! I did find the microfiber towels at Walmart tonight.
I didn't find them creepy or anything so I will probably use those and cover them with some other fabric. I know they are not supposed to touch babies skin but why is that?
Just curious.

Thanks again!

[stampingmom]

Thanks Jessica for the info of the # of layers, etc. I'm thinking of using either all flannel or flannel and the microfiber towels. I appreciate your help.

[happeeevraftr]

I think it's because the microfiber towels will absorb ALL the moisture from baby's skin and dry her out. I topped mine with suedecloth.

[stampingmom]

Originally Posted by happeeevraftr

I think it's because the microfiber towels will absorb ALL the moisture from baby's skin and dry her out. I topped mine with suedecloth.

Oh ok, that makes sense. Thanks.

[JLav]

Originally Posted by stampingmom

Thanks Jessica for the info of the # of layers, etc. I'm thinking of using either all flannel or flannel and the microfiber towels. I appreciate your help.

You're welcome! I like the combination of diaper flannel and microfiber towels, more absorbant and doesn't get as stiff as all flannel, imo. If you use all flannel you might need more layers. Wal-Mart sometimes carries diaper flannel, it's usually in with the muslin...I think it's something like $1.67/yard and 36" wide.
Oh, I almost forgot...microfiber towels can kind of get "fluffy" inside the diaper so to prevent that before serging my soaker together I'll sew 2 vertical lines along the length. It helps keep the soaker flat. I've even made diapers where I quilted the soaker to the inner body layer...they turned out pretty cute.
Good luck with your diapers!

[stampingmom]

Originally Posted by JLav

You're welcome! I like the combination of diaper flannel and microfiber towels, more absorbant and doesn't get as stiff as all flannel, imo. If you use all flannel you might need more layers. Wal-Mart sometimes carries diaper flannel, it's usually in with the muslin...I think it's something like $1.67/yard and 36" wide.
Oh, I almost forgot...microfiber towels can kind of get "fluffy" inside the diaper so to prevent that before serging my soaker together I'll sew 2 vertical lines along the length. It helps keep the soaker flat. I've even made diapers where I quilted the soaker to the inner body layer...they turned out pretty cute.
Good luck with your diapers!

Thank you! I will be sure to check Walmart for the diaper flannel. I'll be there tomorrow. I go there too much. Seems I'm always at Walmart. I looked last night but I looked by the other flannels, so I'll look by the muslin this time. I did find some flannel at Hancocks, it was called Super flannel, I think. So I wondered how that would work. Thanks again.
Kelli