I hate hemp

[Nothingbutbreast]

So what are my other trim options?
I am using cotton fleece right now and it is trim but hard to find.
Sherpa isnt as absorbant.
Flannel-i'm scared of since It needs so many layers.
BKT is so bulky
So what's left help!

[onediaperinmama]

I wouldn't be afraid of flannel if you get the good diaper flannel stuff. It won't get stiff. Regular flannels will get stiff. Birdseye is great too. Both of those need 6 - 8 layers in the soaker plus 2 more full body layers. Really thin and trim.

You might like regular interlock cotton knits. Not jerseys, but interlock. Stays super soft. 2 body layers - maybe 4 - 5 soaker layers.

Have you tried cotton stretch terries? Also trim - 4 - 5 layers in soaker pad, 2 more in body layers.

HTH!

[Nothingbutbreast]

Is the diaper falnnel at walmart quality flannel? Or do I need to order kingston flannel?
They have birdeye weave at hancocks I might pick some up to put in my AI2.
I love organic cotton fleece it's pretty trim absorbant but it cost alot compared to hemp and sherpa.

[boscopup]

You can usually get OC via co-ops for about the same price as you can get hemp/sherpa retail. Of course, if you got your hemp/sherpa through co-ops, that's a different story.

[Seie]

BAMBOO! I dont know why this is not more used. It is SUPERP for diapers. It is super soft - and when I say soft - I mean SOFT. It is like silk - even softer than cotton. It is highly absorbant - absorbs 60% more than cotton. It is ecofriendly - it is antibacterial and therefore needs no pesticides or the like in the grow-process.
I dont know where to buy this in the states - but try making an internet search on bamboo fabric.
You could also check Babeco . It is in the UK though.

I dont know how to get my point across. But bamboo really is an amazing fabric and I cannot praise it enough. I promise you will love it! For testing maybe try ordering a bamboozle diaper from Tots Bots (bamboo fitted - made of 90% pure bamboo fabric)- you can get them via ebay UK with reasonable international shipping.. Then you will see what I mean..

[AinNJ]

Originally Posted by Nothingbutbreast

Is the diaper falnnel at walmart quality flannel? Or do I need to order kingston flannel?
They have birdeye weave at hancocks I might pick some up to put in my AI2.
I love organic cotton fleece it's pretty trim absorbant but it cost alot compared to hemp and sherpa.

Yep, the diaper flannel at Walmart is awesome stuff. It's only 27" wide, which kinda sucks. But it's WONDERFUL! It's thick, soft, double napped (fuzzy on both sides), doesn't get stiff (well, it might if you let it air dry). I'm not a flannel dipe kind of girl, but I love diaper flannel wipes!

OV is a WONDERFUL diaper fabric. Join a co-op (or run one) to get decent pricing. But I'd definatly compare the absorbency of OV to hemp.

Regular (meaning non-organic) 100% cotton velour is also a great option. I can usually find it at Joann's and stock up with their 40% off coupon. I haven't been able to tell the difference in absorbancy between organic velour and non-organic velour.

Lately, I'm a huge fan of birdseye. I've been using birdseye flats (I use and love both dsq flats and cheapie gerber flats) folded up as lay-in soakers. They are absorbent, they're easy to clean, and they dry super fast.

How about making a diaper w/2 layers of velour in the body w/a soaker made from birdseye wrapped in velour? mmmmmmmmmm....

[amberthesugarcat]

AinNJ, where do you buy your dsq flats, and is there much of a difference between those and the gerber flats? I also found that those cheap Gerber PFs (not the ones with poly) and flats are perfect to stuff in pockets or use as doublers. Why didn't I think about that before??? I am trying to decide whether to buy more Gerber flats, or order some Indian ones from Diaperware. Do you see much of a difference between the two?

I am retiring most of my microfiber and PFs and using the wonderous birdseye. That stuff is so soft, trim, and cleans up and dries so quickly.

[peekyboo]

Originally Posted by Inca

BAMBOO! I dont know why this is not more used.

It's just now hitting around here in the US. There are a couple bamboo co-ops, but I've thought about buying a set of bamboo sheets from Target and using that as material, lol!

[Seie]

I mentioned before that bamboo can be bought on babeco (see website in my other post above). I have tried to calculate shipping to the US of a pack of 5 60x60 bamboo terry squares and squares and shipping and all would be 20£. I just bought one of those packs and payed 16£ including postage to Denmark - so it is not a whole lot more to have shipped to US.. Just for those interested..
And I promise it is well worth it to try!

[discojoy]

Originally Posted by peekyboo

It's just now hitting around here in the US. There are a couple bamboo co-ops, but I've thought about buying a set of bamboo sheets from Target and using that as material, lol!

Yeah, I signed up for some Bamboo on one of the yahoo co-ops. I can't wait to try it! It might be a few more months until there are enough orders, though.

I've also thought about the bamboo sheets. . . but $40 for something to cut apart to make diapers? I don't think so! But if anyone else tries that, let me know how it works.

[Serras_sis]

Originally Posted by Inca

BAMBOO! I dont know why this is not more used. It is SUPERP for diapers. It is super soft - and when I say soft - I mean SOFT. It is like silk - even softer than cotton. It is highly absorbant - absorbs 60% more than cotton. It is ecofriendly - it is antibacterial and therefore needs no pesticides or the like in the grow-process.
I dont know where to buy this in the states - but try making an internet search on bamboo fabric.
You could also check Babeco . It is in the UK though.

I dont know how to get my point across. But bamboo really is an amazing fabric and I cannot praise it enough. I promise you will love it! For testing maybe try ordering a bamboozle diaper from Tots Bots (bamboo fitted - made of 90% pure bamboo fabric)- you can get them via ebay UK with reasonable international shipping.. Then you will see what I mean..

SOOO... Bamboo more absorbant than Hemp??

[Seie]

YES- more absorbant than hemp!

[ladle24]

Yahoo co-op

[QUOTE=discojoy]Yeah, I signed up for some Bamboo on one of the yahoo co-ops. I can't wait to try it! It might be a few more months until there are enough orders, though.

Hi- Which Yahoo co-op would that be?? Thanks.

[discojoy]

ClothEssentials co-op is getting bamboo: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ClothE...guid=156930051

I think that the Fabric Farm is also doing bamboo:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thefabricfarm/

[Seie]

I really really love bamboo and think you should all try it. Here is if anyone should feel tempted to try the fabric before buying it for diapermaking then you can get a Bamboozle from Ebay It is pure Bamboo. I think only stitching and brand-tag are made of polyester.

Including worldwide shipping it would be 17$

Love those diapers it is the softest in my stash as well as the most slimfitting - without compromising on absorbancy. Highly recommended..

[Nothingbutbreast]

Originally Posted by discojoy

ClothEssentials co-op is getting bamboo: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ClothE...guid=156930051

I think that the Fabric Farm is also doing bamboo:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thefabricfarm/

joined both

[AinNJ]

Originally Posted by amberthesugarcat

AinNJ, where do you buy your dsq flats, and is there much of a difference between those and the gerber flats? I also found that those cheap Gerber PFs (not the ones with poly) and flats are perfect to stuff in pockets or use as doublers. Why didn't I think about that before??? I am trying to decide whether to buy more Gerber flats, or order some Indian ones from Diaperware. Do you see much of a difference between the two?

I am retiring most of my microfiber and PFs and using the wonderous birdseye. That stuff is so soft, trim, and cleans up and dries so quickly.

I got my dsq flats from Granitesmith on ebay. The dsq's have a *really* tight "birdseye" weave. The Gerber flats have a much looser weave, almost gauzy. Even after washing the dsq's for (gosh, I'd say at least) 8 or 10 months, they aren't as soft as my Gerbers. Since the weave is tighter, they are a little stiffer too. I almost think the looser weave might work better. I could be wrong, but it seems like the absorption is slower, so instead of having the wet spot soaked and the rest of the diaper dry, the whole thing is evenly wet (seemingly) holding more. Does that make sense? I usually grab the Gerber before the DSQ. I found mine at Baby Depot on sale. So they were alot cheaper than buying online plus shipping.

I got a pack of the 100% birdseye Gerber flats for a shower gift (no poly pad) and at first I thought they were too thin to be useful. Boy was I wrong!!! I grabbed one in a pinch to use in an AI2 shell, and I was shocked at how well it worked!

[amberthesugarcat]

AinNJ, I was so inspired by your reply that I went to Target and got one pack of the dozen Gerber flats and a 6 pack of the Gerber PFs (with no poly). It is amazing the difference between the new ones and the ones that I got when my ds was born and used as burp rags and washed a million of times. The old ones are so incredibly soft. But I have washed the new ones 3 times and they are getting more soft and I have stuffed all of my pockets with them.

I decided to just buy those rather than order. It was $10.50 for a dozen flats, so it was pretty reasonable. I think you have a point about the looser weave absorbing faster. They really keep my pockets so trim and from what I have seen from using the older ones I have, they really work great. I have retired all of my microfiber (well, most of it) to the rag pile for cleaning. I am really excited to get such cheap cotton inserts! I think I am going to make some AIO's and just tack them down on both sides so I can fold them for wonderful cheap soakers. I can add a top layer of velour. So much cheaper than buying hemp or sherpa. And it will be quick dry!

[boscopup]

Inca - That Babeco price is *expensive* for bamboo to go to the US. I ran the exchange rate, and to get 1 meter of fabric, it'd be like $15!!! That's not including shipping!

But don't worry... I put in a 5 yard order of bamboo in the FabricFarm co-op. It's only $5/yd (plus ship to her and ship to me). Looks like they have a little under 200 yards of bamboo fleece to fill up, and then they'll be able to order! So anyone wanting to try bamboo... Go put your order in for some fleece! They've already met the minimums for french terry.

[Seie]

Boscopup: Thanks for checking prises. I ofcourse know nothing about US-prices on fabrics - I just had the impression that it was unavailable in the US and thought if someone was interested in getting some NOW - then babeco was the only place I know who carries it. They also have flats made of bamboo readymade to ship. I still recommend the bamboozle though

Ofcourse fabric and flats are heavy and quite expensive to ship overseas.. I have thought about ordering some flats and prefolds from the US because we dont have all the nice tie-dyed and embroidered ones here - but then decided it was too expensive to have shipped so now I will do some dyeing of my own