Intro & questions from a newbie!

[twin_momma]

Hi! my partner and I are expecting twins this fall.

So far we have 36 unbleached indian infant prefolds. 26 cpf's infant.
18 newborn proraps
4 newborn imse vimse covers
4 newborn litewraps
2 newborn wool wraps (currently being knitted myself!)
5 newborn wahm fitteds

21 unbleached indian prefolds premuim
8 small proraps
2 small wahm wool covers
4 small imse vimse covers
one small litewrap

8 med proraps
6 med dappi's (not sure about these)
one medium bummis snap
5 medium litewraps

one large diaperap

And about oh lets see...... 10 yards of flannel, 5 yards of microsuede, 5 packs of microfiber shop towels, several yards of fleece, 2 yards of felted wool interlock, and several pairs of jammies cut up for wipes, 6 balls of merino wool, and a bag full of felted sweaters from thrift stores to make bum sweaters not to mention the very baby fitted pattern. I have a brand new sewing machine and serger too!

My questions are I was planning to tack down the soaker instead of placing snaps, has anyone else tried this? like sew it to the top layer of flannel in the diaper so it is loose for quick drying, but tacked down for easy diapering on squirmy twins.

Next, I bought microsuede for the top lining of the soaker, I read it wicks away moisture for a dry butt, however it seems a little itchy to me and I don't know if I want polyester against their skin, could I hide it under a layer of flannel and still get a good result? should I just skip it? I am planning to make the booster layers out of the shop towels for absorbancy, that works well right?

The fleece I bought (only about a yard worth of scraps on clearance) I was hoping to make reusable liners, is this better than the ultrasuede?

We will prefold with covers when they are little, simple, and effective. I am not making any NB diapers, I am making some smalls, a lot of medium and some large. I am hoping to then use the infant prefolds as doublers later. As they get a bit bigger I am hoping to use a lot of wool as well.

AM I off to the right start? Please feel free to comment on anything, I would love tips, tricks and advice. I am so excited! I have been cutting up a storm the past few nights! Can't wait to start sewing!

[Kari_mom]

My questions are I was planning to tack down the soaker instead of placing snaps, has anyone else tried this? like sew it to the top layer of flannel in the diaper so it is loose for quick drying, but tacked down for easy diapering on squirmy twins.

Sewn-in soakers work great, but I would sew them to more than one layer of flannel. The seam gets stressed in the washer, and the flannel will tear.

Next, I bought microsuede for the top lining of the soaker, I read it wicks away moisture for a dry butt, however it seems a little itchy to me and I don't know if I want polyester against their skin, could I hide it under a layer of flannel and still get a good result? should I just skip it? You mean suedecloth?

I don't like it, lots of mamas do. I would take the middle ground if I were you, until you know for sure what works for you. Try sewing it as a stay-dry layer on top of some doublers, rather than in the whole diaper. If you want it, throw it in. If you don't, leave it out. Or turn the doubler over if you need absorbancy but don't want the suedecloth.

Layering it under flannel will not give the same effect.

I am planning to make the booster layers out of the shop towels for absorbancy, that works well right?

Yes, it does. Make sure they are hidden layers, away from baby's skin. Some mamas think that microfiber soakers lose absorbancy over time, so be aware of this as you plan your bigger diapers that will be worn for a while.

The fleece I bought (only about a yard worth of scraps on clearance) I was hoping to make reusable liners, is this better than the ultrasuede?

Not better, just different. Suedecloth works better sewn to something, it is thin and the edges roll. Fleece will lay alone better.

In the category of 'other comments', I think you should consider premie size prefolds. Infants were bulky on my 9lb, 8oz baby at birth. Twins are so much smaller and tend to stay smaller longer, do you agree? And premie prefolds work better as doublers too, I think infant prefolds are too bulky as doublers.

Good luck with your sewing, come back as you have more questions!