covers out of sweaters?

[Kerrie]

I have a ton (maybe 10-20) beautiful wool sweaters just waiting to be transformed into diaper covers but I'm stuck. I don't like the look of a 'butt sweater' where you use the cuffs to make leg holes and the waist to make the top of the cover, also I like to make pants out of the arms. Any other ideas/patterns out there to use the body ONLY of the sweater to make covers? TIA!

[jlwagner]

I have the Very Baby fitted pattern, so I just made a T & T side snapping wool cover using that. I added about and 1/2 an inch to the pattern so that the cover would fit over the fitteds. It turned out great - it's one of my favorite covers.

[LeosMama]

There are four ways that I make wraps:

1 - one layer bound w/FOE
2 - two layer T&T
3 - two layer serged
4 - one layer w/casings (use an extra wide seam allowance to fold over for casings)

[Kari_mom]

I make pants from the body of the sweater too. I just make two arms, lol, and sew them up. I like them better because they don't have the taper like leggings, I think they look more like regular pants.

Otherwise I use a wrap cover pattern. I don't like the way most 'butt sweaters' look either.

[courtenay_e]

I traced my favorite cover onto "pattern" paper, and then used that as a pattern...it works REALLY well!

[Kerrie]

I like the idea of using my favorite cover pattern but I always use FOE and wouldn't that defeat the purpose of the wool and start to smell?

[guitarmama]

I'm new to sewing, so bear with me. i've got some ???

1) What is FOE?

2) I've got some old cardigans I want to make into covers, but I'm not sure how to keep the edges from unraveling. I thought about cutting strips from the sleeves to make edging, but I'm not sure how to sew that to keep it from unraveling. Should I make the strips into 'tubes' by sewing the edges together and turning them right-side-out, then running the elastic through?

3) Do I need special thread for sewing wool, or will polyester work?

BTW, I don't have a serger, but my machine does over-edge. Thanks! I think those are all the ??? I have for now.

[LeosMama]

Guitarmama:

1) Fold Over Elastic. you can see it in action here: http://www.chloetoesboutique.com/store/WsPages.asp?ID=3 and buy it here:
http://www.diapershop.com. Keep in mind that isn't the least expensive way to get it, but they are a reliable company.

2) FOE would keep it from unraveling. Also serging or an overlock stitch on your regular machine.

3) I would recommend polyester thread for sewing wool.

Kerrie, I haven't had any trouble with my FOE wool covers, but I do see your point. Of course, they get lanolized when the rest of the cover does and that may help a bit. If you're worried about it, do one of the casing techniques or a two-layer cover.

[karen_w]

I've traced fitteds that fit my DS well and added 'some' to the entire diaper and I've been known to trace a wool cover (that I've purchased) or two that I really like.

I use 100% poly thread, two layers of sweater (may be overkill, but my DS is a heavy wetter), and just sent some off for the first time to be snapped as opposed to using applix (DS is 2, takes things off).

[mehndi mama]

I use FOE on my sweater wraps, and have no problems with stink. I do tend to wash them oftener than my pull-on soakers and such, but that's, say, washing every 2 weeks rather than every month or so

[mommyof3andcountin]

I have a WAHM made wool cover that has FOE and it never stinks. I wash maybe once a month.

[morningloria]

i've made quite a few soakers from the bum wrap pattern.

http://www.bumwrapdiapers.com/pages/pattern2.php

i've felted the sweaters very very well before cutting them up. the soakers fit perfectly, and i've never paid more than 2 bucks for one.

[lllmomma]

:

[~pi]

:

[courtenay_e]

Nope, I've never had a problem with my elastic stinking. I do use gussets in my covers, and felt the wool really well, and then lanolize at the end, so the elastic on the gussets gets lanolized, too...I also use just plain poly covered elastic on the wool covers, on the outside of the gusset, so that the wool takes in the fluid, not so much the elastic. It's not as EASY as FOE, but I like it better for the wool covers. Don't know if any or all of that contributes to the non-stink factor, but I really think that the wool just soaks up the stinky stuff before it reaches the elastic.

[blueberrymama]

Do you HAVE to use wool wash to felt sweaters?
I have Lanolin to lanolize them, but I was wondering if you can just use the regular laundry soap to get them felted and to wash when needed?
Also do you know what type of store I might find wool wash at locally?
Thanks!
Julie

[Kari_mom]

I use Dawn dishwashing liquid to felt wool sweaters. A few squirts in a hot wash, cold rinse and tumble dry in the dryer gives me just the right amount of felting. I like lightly felted but still stretchy.

To wash wool, I use a bit of hand soap followed by lansinoh to lanolize. I've used different wool washes, but they cost more and IMO don't seem to clean better, they just smell more. Since I am sensitive to fragrances, I find it better to do my own thing.

[blueberrymama]

Thanks for that quick response Kari mom!
So you only wash them 1 time?
I washed/dry a couple of other sweaters about 4 times before for this and it made them so small and thick that my 7 month old wouldn't have been able to wear them as sweaters!
I was wondering how people that make and sell them could keep them looking so light weight!
Have you ever made your own soakers out of sweaters?
I want to make some like WoolyBottoms.
I just purchased 8 really nice wool sweaters today at the Salvation Army for 99 cents each! Score!!! One even has an American flag on it in country colors.
I can't wait for them to come out of the dryer!!!
I guess I just sew them and then lanolize and I'm in business. )
Thanks again!!!
Julie

[sabrinat]

I really like that bumware pattern, but as shorties and not longies, I think I'll experiment with that and some foe aroung the leg openings. I'll let ya'll know how it turns out. I got a few sweater for $1 at the bargain box.

[Kari_mom]

Have you ever made your own soakers out of sweaters?

I've made shorties and longies from sweaters, but not soakers. My son in diapers is two, and I think he looks best in shorts and pants. I want to make some wool wraps next, as soon as I have some sewing time.