what kind of elastic?

[brogansmomma]

Something about rubber dying with the constant water and heat. Wazoodle has this stuff. Is it suitable? I know about Lastin and may get some of that but I think I'd only use that for the legs. I think I'll start off with regular elastic anyway. (Looking for Canadian sources preferrably.) What sort of content am I looking for?? The stuff at my Fabricland is soft but I'm unsure about how much rubber is too much. What's the alternative?

[brogansmomma]

What type of elastic should I be looking for? Besides Lastin.

[earthenware]

I've used regular 'swimsuit elastic' from Fabricland (I'm in Canada, too) and had no problems. I used it in about 6 covers which were washed and dried on hot 2x a week for over a year now and no problems. I actually just ordered some Lastin and much prefer the Fabricland stuff. I buy 3/8" and find it's strong enough to gather 1 layer of MM Windblock fleece and a woven, or 2 layers regular thick fleece. I tack down the ends pretty good and find it does not shred with the perforations like the Lastin did. YMMV, though! I've just started sewing more dipes and covers and I'm going back to Fabricland today for more elastic and putting my Lastin back in the pile. HTH!

[Rachel Flores]

I totally agree with the previous poster. When I first started making diapers I thought you had to use something special like lastin. Personally, I find lastin hard to work with and more likely to break after using the diaper for a while. I now use stretchrite that I buy from Joann and Walmart. There is one type of strechrite that uses lycra instead of rubber, it works really well but is pricey. I now use the regular Strechrite polybraid or knit elastic. I just look on the back and it says good for temps up to 200degrees F and I figure I won't be getting it hotter than that. I have yet for the strechrite elastic to go bad in my diapers, but I admit I've only been using it for about 2 months.

[our3boys]

I use swimsuit elastic (the beige/natural colored one) b/c I like sewing with it. I have diapers that have been used 1-2x/week for 20 months and they are still going strong. I wash in hot, but usually hang the pocket covers to dry. I recently had a discussion with Kari Mom about it (she also usually uses swimsuit elastic), and she uses the polybraid elastic (Stretch Rite is the common one, it has lots of elastic "channels" running down the *length* of it) when repairing her Fuzzi Bunz b/c that is what is in those diapers. Also, another mom she had talked with uses only the polybraid b/c it last so much better.

I used the clear Lastin to make some diapers in the mid-late 90's. They did not see very much use b/c I had horrible covers. Well, I still have those diapers and the Lastin has completely lost it's elasticity in some of them. It was NOT lastin very long. I probably had bleached the diapers a couple times, so that may have had an impact. Anyway, b/c of that experience, I will not use Lastin in diapers - especially if I were going to store them for use on a future baby. Perhaps the other elastics will do the same, it's just that the ones with Lastin are my experience and they did break down in storage.

[brogansmomma]

Thanks! I'm planning to head to Frabricland today or tomorrow since I don't work again until Saturday. I'm aiming for the remnant bin and the flannel section (pleae have some awewome sales!!!) but I wanted to look at elastic first. If they have something suitable maybe I'll just get a small length and then compare to online prices. It might be very similar once shipping is thrown in. And Wazoodle is only listing woven elastic.

[earthenware]

The fabricland elastic I use is clear and labelled 'swim elastic' or something like that. It's sold by the meter ($0.98) and is on sale 20% off right now (are you a member?). At that price I'd buy enough to save yourself the serious hassle of waiting in the dreaded cutting table line-ups (I have serious Fabricland Blood Pressure and Internal Screaming Issues). I bought 5 meters yesterday... and only had to wait in line almost 20 minutes to get it cut... I tell you, the day they start a self-serve thing is the day I dance a jig and spend all my money there!

ps - printed flannel was on sale for about $3/m... and so was 80/20 velour!

[brogansmomma]

Originally Posted by earthenware

The fabricland elastic I use is clear and labelled 'swim elastic' or something like that. It's sold by the meter ($0.98) and is on sale 20% off right now (are you a member?). At that price I'd buy enough to save yourself the serious hassle of waiting in the dreaded cutting table line-ups (I have serious Fabricland Blood Pressure and Internal Screaming Issues). I bought 5 meters yesterday... and only had to wait in line almost 20 minutes to get it cut... I tell you, the day they start a self-serve thing is the day I dance a jig and spend all my money there!

ps - printed flannel was on sale for about $3/m... and so was 80/20 velour!

I'm not a member. Yet. Their memberships have a stupid thing where they run from August to August (or something like that) so if I were to join now I wouldn't get a full year, just until August even though I'd be paying the same price as someone who joined in August. KWIM? I think I'll find out exactly when their membership expires and remember to join then.

I truly think that Fabricland employees are among the rudest and most inattentive that I've ever met. Not every one and not all the time but I'm very often completely ignored in there and even when I ask a question, the response is vague and often unhelpful. Grrr!!

I was hoping to go today but Brogan is already down for his second nap so it'll probably be tomorrow before I get there. I have to pick up some milk and unfortunately, that's currently more important. I have to arrange my trips just so in order to appease His Royal Highness (too many in's and out's in the carseat and he tends to get testy).

[earthenware]

OMG! Yes, I don't know what it is with FL people but I tell you it is rarely a good experience. I understand busy, I really do, but going slooooow when it's busy? Taking time between each customer to return the bolts allll around the store when it's busy? That, I really do not get. And why not update your system to use the 'modern' barcode fabric labelling /scanner thing like Fanny's does?

BTW, I just checked with my co-worker who used to work at FL (even she agrees with the poor staffing!) and memberships run from dec 31 - dec 31. It's a bad system but at least it's a good time of year to buy one! I think they are on sale for $12 right now, too.

Good luck whenever you go... may the force be with you... pack a lunch and bring lots of spare diapers for your DS.

[brogansmomma]

Originally Posted by earthenware

memberships run from dec 31 - dec 31. It's a bad system but at least it's a good time of year to buy one! I think they are on sale for $12 right now, too.

Good to know! We're not that far this side of Dec. 31. I'll be sure to ask about that. Thanks!

[Jes'sBeth]

I LOVE wazoodle's woven elastic! I like it so much better than FL elastic. I like it way better than lastin actually. I've used it in lots of diapers (including ones that were in use for 5 months and they're all just fine.) A definate go for it. I buy it in 10 yd chunks.

[our3boys]

Originally Posted by earthenware

I have serious Fabricland Blood Pressure and Internal Screaming Issues

JoAnn's does that to me, too. I try not to go there, and really never to buy anything that needs cutting. Last time I was there, I thought the elderly ladies behind me were going to start a riot. And I was going to cheer them on.

and

Originally Posted by brogansmomma

I'm not a member.

Woaah! Membership to a fabric store???

[brogansmomma]

Yeah, you get discounts. Even on already discounted stuff, I think.

So I don't HAVE to use knit elastic?? I placed an order of a few things at Wazoodle but didn't buy elastic because it was woven or Lastin. I'll check at FL and if I can't find anything, I'll place another Wazoodle order I guess.