Sherpa questions

[peekyboo]

I'm sorry if these have been asked before, I did do a search, but I really don't want to screw it up!

1. I have to pre-wash it right? Just once, on hot? Or several times, like hemp?

2. I sew it fluffy-side up (as in facing the baby) right?

3. I want to make inserts with them. Do I need to top it off with fleece or suedecloth? And how many layers? I was thinking of doing some layers hemp jersey and some sherpa - would two of each do? Or two hemp and one sherpa?

Thanks!

[amysuen]

I haven't sewn with sherpa yet, but since no one else is chiming in I'll take a stab at it.
1- I would wash it once on hot and dry on hot, or however you plan to launder your finished diapers. Any fabric with cotton should be washed before it's cut so it'll shrink before you sew with it.
2- I don't know what the back of sherpa is like, but the LB sherpa diaper I have is fluffy on all sides of the diaper body and the QD soaker. The sherpa/velour wipes I have are also fluffy on the sherpa side, so my guess is fluffy by baby.
3- Inserts for inside pockets? I wouldn't think you'd need fleece or suede if they're going inside a pocket, unless you may use them as doublers or liners too. on the other hand, sometimes DS's poo goes through the pocket fleece inner and stains the hemp stuffing : so a layer of fleece there may keep your stuffing from staining. For number of layers, check out Jessica's information at the OSDS She's got great info on all the different types of fabric and how many layers to use for soakers, doublers, etc.
HTH!

[peekyboo]

Thanks for the help - hopefully I won't buy anything while at OSDS :LOL I already have way too much fabric!

[peekyboo]

FYI - she recommends 3-4 layers for a soaker and talks about how soft it is against baby's skin, so it must be fluffy side up.

Oh, and I meant inserts as in snap/lay in inserts. Sorry for the confusion!