A few fabric questions

[Candice2boys]

What kind of flannel can I use? The cheap stuff? Or quilters flannel only? What about Quilters fabric? I was at the store and saw so many beautiful patterns and was wondering if anyone has used them? Their 100% cotton woven I think? Just for the outer layer of course. Any info will help!!!

[Candice2boys]

: : :

[allnaturalmama]

The quick answer is - you can use ANY fabric to make diapers! What type of diapers do you want to sew? Prefolds, contours, fitteds, pockets, aios?

My opinion is - I only use 8oz per yard flannel or heavier for dipes. I use organic flannel I buy through co-ops online, but only for prefolds. For fitteds, I exclusively use knit fabrics so that the diapers will be stretchy, and therefore, more adjustable in fit.

Regarding quilter's fabrics - I'm sure you could use those, but I wouldn't, just because I avoid all wovens in my fitted dipes. If you don't mind sacrificing stretch, then I'd say, go for it!

[akmeg]

Quilter's flannel is usually thicker and it stays softer longer without pilling. I think it's because of the way the fabric is brushed. A lady at the fabric store told me it's usually double brushed and that's why it doesn't pill up. Regular cheap flannel usually will pill a bit even in the first wash. So I guess it depends on how much you're willing to spend for the good quality stuff. Some of the prints on the cheap stuff are super cute, but you have to expect them to pill.

I would love to buy all my flannel at the quilt store! Our local quilt store has the most beautiful batik flannels, but they're $$$$!

[amberthesugarcat]

I love woven cotton fabric prints! I make Darling Diaper fitted pockets and my favorites are woven outers and cotton interlock/velour inners. Flannel also works great for inners or outer. I have a huge variety of great prints.

I use wool or fleece covers over the fitted diapers.

[Jayneysews]

[QUOTE=amberthesugarcat]I love woven cotton fabric prints! I make Darling Diaper fitted pockets and my favorites are woven outers and cotton interlock/velour inners.
I would just it if you posted some pictures somewhere!!
I too am loving making the same combos!

[Jes'sBeth]

you can use any 100% cotton flannel. The cheaper ones pill (as mentioned) and lose some of their softness but still work and are cheap! Some of the darker colours also run so make sure you wash it a few times before you sew with it.

[judybean]

Originally Posted by Candice2boys

What kind of flannel can I use? The cheap stuff? Or quilters flannel only? What about Quilters fabric? I was at the store and saw so many beautiful patterns and was wondering if anyone has used them? Their 100% cotton woven I think? Just for the outer layer of course. Any info will help!!!

As already stated, you can use ANYTHING to make diapers -- but make sure that somewhere there is something absorbant Some hot diapers now have minky even in the lining. Minky is 100% polyester, so it's not absorbant, but would make for a nice, cushy tush, that's for sure! It could be used on the outside as well, simply for aesthetic (sp? gosh.. I'm tired and don't want to look it up!) reasons of course.

Flannel of course doesn't stretch. So, account for that when making your dipe (diapers made of stretchier materials, like knits and such, will give you a wider fitting range becuase of the stretch). Often the price you pay is indicative of the quality you get -- at least when it comes to pills. Cheaper stuff tends to pill like heck. The quilter's flannel (at least all I've used) just doesn't. But... quality diaper flannel, after washed up quite a few times, comes out feeling silky smooth!!! Of course it only comes in white though

I've used a lot of quilting prints on diapers. Well, at least a few One of my favorite things to do is go to the fancy quilting store and buy up fat quarters -- especially during a sale! I"ll use them for either an outer on a fitted or the inside of an AIO. ... or of course a gorgeous FOE-bound print cover!

[StrawHatBrat]

Don't use the cheapie stuff. You don't want pilly yucky stiffening flannel on babies so soft bum! Get quilters flannel.

[muttix2]

So the children's flannel and things like that (snuggle flannel, etc) at Joanns is bad? I buy it b/c its cheap but some of my diapers have been fraying... Does it have to say "quilters flannel" on the shelf or label in order for it to be good quality?

[StrawHatBrat]

I'd get it at a quilter shop. Joanns flannel is great for things like jammies and clothes that aren't going to be washed and dried a zillion times on hot. They just don't hold up like good flannel will. They tend to pill badly and stiffen. I've gotten a couple of flannels at Joann that have been good but it's hit and miss.

[muttix2]

OK, thanks.