What Types of Wool are Diaper Approved?

[AndreaBash]

Hey all...

I'm new to this forum. I used to post all my diaper sewing questions over in the Diapering forum but I see we've been shifted here. I hope you don't mind the swift intro.

I am finally venturing into wool covers and I am SO confused! As far as I can see, there are 2 million types of wool.

I asked a diaper sewing friend and she told me wool flannel and jersey are both great for diapers. She also told me to steer clear of gabardine. Now I'd like to fill in the blanks.

I can tell from some of my reading here that merino is also good for diapers. Does anyone have a quick list of diaper-safe wool they're willing to share? I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

[BowNessMonster]

I think gabardine and other suitings are acceptable as covers; but they don't STRETCH. You'd also need to add a soaker panel, of something beefier like sweater knit or flannel. I think they make great daytime dress-up covers. They're just not as absorbent as traditional diaper cover woolens. I've used suiting as the outer layer and something more absorbent (flannel, knit) for the inside and gussets.

The only thing I won't use is scratchy things like tweeds et al.

Basically; anything that is soft, at least 90% wool, preferrably slightly stretchy and can be lanolized will work! imho.

[AndreaBash]

Thank you for the info. That was very helpful. I am so excited about my wool-on-the-way. I hope it comes soon or I may have to start cutting into my old blazers.

[lazydaisy]

I also use wool coating if it isn't too thick. My fave of late is flannel, it's by far the softest and doesn't shrink as much as jersey when felted. More bang for your buck

[BowNessMonster]

! ah yes. I use coating too, but usually only for single layer covers.

[AndreaBash]

Cool... Glad to hear flannel is a good choice -- that's what I have on the way. I'm so excited.

[WendyLouWho]

You can also recycle wool sweaters...felt them and then cut and sew as normal. You can get a wide variety of wools to try out that way.

I have a couple of sweaters I 'plan' to felt and try to sew. We'll see...I have so many projects going right now :

Merino is so dreamy soft!

Most of my diaper covers are flannel and one jersey.

[AndreaBash]

I've used suiting as the outer layer and something more absorbent (flannel, knit) for the inside and gussets.

I was thinking about this last night and I am confused. If I sew an absorbant layer into my cover won't I need to wash it a lot more frequently? It would almost be like an AIO, right?

[BowNessMonster]

no, no.

absorbent WOOL flannel or knit

[Sandra Dee]

Originally posted by lazydaisy
I also use wool coating if it isn't too thick. My fave of late is flannel, it's by far the softest and doesn't shrink as much as jersey when felted. More bang for your buck

Jen - do you always use flannel? (In other words, is my Celtic knot flannel?) I LOVE the weight of these. And especially the care!!!

I'm sure if I manage a couple pull-ons they won't be artistically as beautiful, though, and I'll keep you busy with customs!

[AndreaBash]

Originally posted by barefoot in the sand
no, no.

absorbent WOOL flannel or knit

Oh!! LOL... I am so clueless. OK. I get it now. Sorry!

[lazydaisy]

Originally posted by Sandra Dee
Jen - do you always use flannel? (In other words, is my Celtic knot flannel?) I LOVE the weight of these. And especially the care!!!

The celtic knot is flannel. The jersey is just too bumpy for an intricate embroidery like that. I do use both, but I'm considering going to more lightweight flannels. They're just so nice!