What fabrics do you buy locally?

[boscopup]

I don't have a Joann's, but I do have a Hancocks and Walmart. I'm wondering what types of fabrics can you usually get locally instead of having to order them and pay $$$ for shipping?

The reason I ask is because I've been looking at the possibility of making some velour tri-fold soakers for an AIO that I bought. The soakers would be super simple to make, and I like the velour (I'm having a hate relationship with hemp right now :LOL), but when I go look at places to get velour, it costs as much to ship as it costs to buy! I didn't see it at Hancocks, but also didn't totally know what I was looking for when I went in there. So I figure I might stop by Hancocks tomorrow when I'm in town and look at various fabrics again, hopefully having some ideas of what might be useful to get locally.

Anyway, this thread might help newbie diaper makers like me figure out what things they can find locally and what things they have to order (like PUL, hemp). I'm looking at small amounts (a yard here and there).

[amberthesugarcat]

At Hancocks you can get 80%cotton/20% poly velour that is super soft. But it is really hard to find and my Hancocks usually doesn't carry it. You can also get fleece and flannel. I haven't found any PUL or microfleece. They have something they call microfleece, but it is not thin so I would not use it for the insides of a diaper. But I have made fleece outer/flannel inner pockets that are absolutely great from only using Hancocks/Walmart fabric.

[Kari_mom]

After intensive research online and in local fabric stores for the past two years(ask my dh :LOL ), this is what I have found for sourcing diapermaking supplies.

What you might find at local fabric stores:

Fabric
cotton flannel, diaper or quilters preferred
cotton birdseye, narrow width
cotton interlock knit, solids and some prints
cotton fleece or french terry knit (sweatshirt fabric, often a blend)*
terry cloth
microfiber towelling
suedecloth
polyester fleece in many weights*
wool flannel and coating for covers*
80/20 cotton/poly velour*
polyester knits for not so wicking AIO outers
woven cotton prints for cute fitted outers
*seasonal stock, usually fall/winter

Notions
Polybraid and swimwear elastic
snap setter (not so great)
sewing machine thread
serger thread
velcro (not so great)
Dritz diaper pins (the best )

Probably best purchased online:

Fabric
Hemp anything
Organic cotton anything
PUL solids and prints
Malden Mills fleece

Notions
Aplix or touchtape
Snapsetter snaps or snap press
FOE
Lastin

Check your local thrift shop to recycle:

Wool sweaters
Fleece garments
Cotton knit garments
Cotton flannel sheets

I've tried to think of everything, sorry if I left something out. These aren't absolutes, some mamas live close to really cool fabric stores that carry stuff others don't. But your run-of-the-mill fabric chains seem to carry the stuff listed.

[boscopup]

That is an awesome list!!!!! Thanks so much!!!!

I'm heading to Hancocks tomorrow and will see if they have any velour, since it is fall now (if we ignore those 80 degree days we still have :LOL ) and I have actually seen/touched velour in person now and know what it looks like when I am in the fabric store.

[Kari_mom]

Good luck!

[amysuen]

Great list, Kari_mom!!

In general I have more luck finding fabric at Joanns than at Hancock. I know that doesn't help since you don't have a Joanns, but at least you know it's not just your Hancock. :

[boscopup]

There used to be a Joann's in a city 1.5 hours from me that I travel through often to visit the in-laws, but they closed it. My MIL was so unhappy about that, as she would drive 1 hour just to go there!

Anyway, we're back from Hancocks and... They had 80/20 velour!!!!! Woohoo!!!! They even had about 5 colors! I got 1 yd of navy. It cost $7.50 with the tax ($6.99/yd pre-tax), but that's still less than I could get one single yard anywhere online. So I'm happy.

:

[judybean]

kari_mom... that's a super list!!! I've been pondering the same thing myself lately... while a lot of things I'm liking now are pretty much only online... and the closest Joanns is 3 hours from here... it's still a good thing to know!!

[Kari_mom]

It really is amazing how many fabrics you can use to make great diapers!

Vera, I'm glad you found the velour. Navy sounds nice, I might go check it out. My dd loves velour yoga pants.

[SaraMama]

Hey, Kari_mom, at what store can you find Dritz pins? I need a few pair and hate to pay for shipping on such a small/lightweight item.



TIA!

[Kari_mom]

I bought my Dritz diaper pins at JoAnn's, with the other pins and notions.

[SaraMama]

Thanks! I'll have to stop by my Joanns to see if they have them too!

[SaraMama]

I looked at JoAnn's, but they didn't have them...

Then I went to Hancock's and they had them!!! Yay! Only $1.69 for 4 pins! I was about to pay that much plus shipping for 2 pins online!