Doublers

[rolenta]

I'm sewing my own cloth diapers for my baby due in June, and I'm not too terribly experienced when it comes to sewing. I've cut out several pieces of diaper flannel into contoured liners to put in for extra absorbancy if needed (in addition to the 24 diapers I'm working on making) and I'm wondering... how many layers of the flannel should I use for the doublers? There's a total of 8 layers already sewn into each diaper, so how many more layers would I need just for nighttime or whatever other situation warrants the use of a doubler? Also, is it necessary to hem around the edges of the doublers, or can I just serge them? My diaper pattern doesn't come with a pattern for doublers, so I'm just kind of making it up. Anyway, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[mihrimah]

You shouldn't need to hem anything if you serge it, the threads go over the edge so the fabric won't unravel. As for layers of flannel- In my dipes, I used 3 layers of terry cloth and three of flannel, then in the doublers I used only two layers of each. So, I'll bet you could get away with 1/3 or 1/2 fewer layers. Too bad you can't try them out yet!!

You could try a couple different solutions and have them all on and when the time comes!

[boscopup]

I'd guess 3-4 layers of flannel for a doubler. You probably won't need them at night for a newborn - you're up all night nursing and changing diapers anyway. But if you have a power peer newborn that pees through everything, the doublers might be needed on a daily basis! But if you have a serger, you can always whip up more pretty quickly if needed.

I definitely say SERGE the doublers if you have a serger. Fast and easy.

For later, when baby actually sleeps at night and you need nighttime diapers, you may need a more hefty doubler. But that'd be well beyond newborn size. I use a hemp/velour tri-fold as a nighttime doubler for DS who is 20 months. But he's sleeping 12+ hours in the same diaper.