Making aio's- a few questions on materials!

[mamalara]

I have a few diaper-making questions... I'm very new at this!

Where can I find PUL? I tried to get it today at Joann Fabrics, and they really had no idea of what it even was! I also tried another fabric store today with no luck. Where do you get yours?

Also- what do you recommend for a soaker? I'm leaning toward flannel, since that will be in the body of the diaper anyway. If I do use flannel, how many layers would you recommend using?

Thanks so much for your advice!!

[Jenlaana]

I've never seen a single place that was not online, that sold PUL. The only places I've found are either co-ops on sites/groups that are specializing in diaper making supplies or diaper making material websites like diapercuts.com, hyenacart.com/kaylasclothkits, etc. If you do a search on PUL you can find it, but I would be suprised to see it sold locally. As you mentioned, a lot of fabric stores just think you're crazy when you ask for it.

[ReneeC]

There are a bunch of tutorials, patterns, and information sites in the first sticky. That's a good place to start

The second sticky has online stores that sell diaper-making supplies. You won't find PUL locally, and the people at your local stores have likely never heard of it. Or if they have, what they'll show you is the "pleather" version of PUL, and it won't work for diapers.

Nice fabrics to use for a soaker section of an AIO and how many layers to use:
flannel--use 6 to 8 layers
terry--use 3 to 5 layers
birdseye, twill, or gauze--use 6 to 10 layers depending on thickness

You can also use microfiber (the best place to get it is the auto department of WalMart or Costco or BJs or Sam's Club, where they sell microfiber car washing/drying/detailing cloths) but not in direct contact with baby's skin.

For my AIOs, I like to use 2 full body pieces of flannel plus a soaker section of 4 layers of flannel and 2 layers of microfiber.

HTH!

[mamalara]

Thank-you! This is great advice. I now think I'll be off to the right start... I also really appreciate knowing how much flannel you'd use for a soaker- that's what I'm leaning toward to start.

[tschecter]

be aware, if you use just flannel in your soakers, they will take FOREVER to dry... something about the solidity of the soaker... for some reason, terry seems to dry quicker, even if it looks thinker, I think it is the pile of the terry letting air in between the layers or something, but not sure exatly.

[ReneeC]

Originally Posted by tschecter

be aware, if you use just flannel in your soakers, they will take FOREVER to dry... something about the solidity of the soaker... for some reason, terry seems to dry quicker, even if it looks thinker, I think it is the pile of the terry letting air in between the layers or something, but not sure exatly.

This is very true...that's why I like to use flannel with microfiber sandwiched in the layers. It keeps the flannel layers from "gluing" themselves together. I like terry for contour diapers, but not for AIOs, because the problem with terry is that it can get "crunchy" and stiff over time, especially if you line-dry.

[Jenlaana]

What I've had issues with lately is that the aio's I make tend to wick like crazy if they are flannel on the top inside, instead of some sort of stay dry material (microfleece, suedecloth, etc). I think the stay dry material keeps it soaking in towards the absorbant stuff underneath, instead of out towards the edge of the diaper and towards clothing. Since it doesnt actually absorb, it doesnt spread, if that makes sense.

[ReneeC]

Originally Posted by Jenlaana

What I've had issues with lately is that the aio's I make tend to wick like crazy if they are flannel on the top inside, instead of some sort of stay dry material (microfleece, suedecloth, etc).

Are you sewing your elastic to the wrong side of the outer (waterproof) material so that the legs "roll in"? It keeps the absorbent and bad-wicking flannel tucked inside the dipe. I also don't topstitch the legs of my AIOs, just the tabs and tummy panels. Less holes for wetness to escape through I agree that "stay-dry" materials seem to direct the wetness in towards the center.

[amberthesugarcat]

Originally Posted by Jenlaana

What I've had issues with lately is that the aio's I make tend to wick like crazy if they are flannel on the top inside, instead of some sort of stay dry material (microfleece, suedecloth, etc). I think the stay dry material keeps it soaking in towards the absorbant stuff underneath, instead of out towards the edge of the diaper and towards clothing. Since it doesnt actually absorb, it doesnt spread, if that makes sense.

Like ReneeC said, you have to sew your elastic on the seam allowance of the outer fabric. Plus I cut the inner and outer the same size, but then as I pin them together right sides together I pin the PUL in about 1/2 inch or so between the leg elastic points. The PUL will look bulky. But then once you turn and topstitch (I also don't topstitch usually around the leg elastic) the legs will roll in since the PUL is slightly wider between the legs and has elastic sewn on it.

Just a trick that really helps!