more ? about microfleece

[see_lisa]

Okay I know there has been a lot of discussion about microfleece and using it as a liner in pocket diapers. I have ordered mocrofleece and PUL from Wazoodle and made several diapers (I am making them in the Fuzzy Bunz style). I tried them out for the first time today and they seemed to fit well, ie not gapping or anything, but as soon as she peed (she just so happened to be on my lap!) they leaked :
So whats a girl to do? I was trying to investigate what could have gone wrong and I poured some water on the fleece and it just seemed to pool up and not absorb into the fleece.
Oh ya I was using microfiber as the insert, and I have washed the diapers and dried them in the dryer (without fabric softner).
Any ideas on what to do - besides throw the darned things out!
I would love to do CD, but this is pretty discouraging!
Please help,
Thanks!

[mkmb129]

It takes a few good washes and drying to get microfiber to absorb well. I've used walmart microfleece and pul and made pockets, with microfiber inserts and they've worked so wonderfully. I'd try washing them a few more times for chucking them. I've only ever had a few leaks with cloth, and with sposies I had at least two a day. Don't give up! Good luck!

[kbstanley3]

You did use a ballpoint needle when sewing right? And 100% Polyester thread? Also, did you wash and dry the diapers on hot after you sewed them (before you used them). You have to wash and dry on hot in order to seal the holes made by your needle when you sew them. Sometimes when fabric is manufactured there is a residue left on it that can cause it to repel rather than wick. Try washing with just a tiny bit on dawn to strip it of any residue. Let us know what happens!!!

[Jenlaana]

I dont use a ball point needle and I have no leaking problems with my homemade PUL/microfleece diapers.

I think you should definitely wash them a few times though. I have found that if I topstitch at all mine wick for the first few times until they've been washed enough.

[kbstanley3]

Jenlaana - Really? Every dipe I've made using a standard needle wicks, but when I started using ballpoint on PUL it stopped the problem . . . strange! Maybe it depends on the fabric?

[ReneeC]

I had better luck with a standard needle on the Wazoodle PUL too. The ball point needle didn't cut through the laminate as cleanly. The stitching holes sealed up when I hot washed and dried. Regular PUL (not Wazoodle's stuff that's done with that interfacing-type web adhesive) does better with a ball point, IME.

I always use ball point needles on my fleece covers though, or else I get leaks.

ETA: sounds like your problem might be the microfleece repelling. You might need to strip it to get out whatever manufacturing residues are on it. When you poured the water on the microfleece, did you have something underneath to absorb the water? And did it go through if you pressed with a finger?

[see_lisa]

OK, so I have tried washing the diapers in dawn in super hot water, and drying them in the dryer, then washing them again in hot water (because they still repelled water) and nothing.
So I went back to my pile of fleeece (I ordered 3 meters of the stuff that I am now finding repells water and a sampler pack of fleece), and I try pouring water on one of the pieces of fleece that was in the sample pack......and low and behold the water absorbs right into it! Arrrrrggggg. Good news is that I have three pieces if fleece that I can use (not really the colours I would like), bad news is that I think I have 3 meters of fleece that is useless : . The worst part is that I have already cut out about 1.5 meters of the fabric for diapers. What to do now?
Should I call Wazoodle and try to order the fleece that absorbs? or do I bite the bullet and order from Malden Mills?
If I order from MM can you tell me exactly what to order? I have gone onto their web site and the have sooooo many different type of fleece. I notice one called 'power dry' is that the one to get? or is it the 200 series? I don't want to get the wrong stuff again, this cloth diaper making is getting expensive!

[Lynski]

Just jumping in on the MM fleece. Go with the 100 series. The 200 weight is water resistant and you'll have the same problem you're having now. I know some people do use powerdry, I've never used it myself though. It's very thin and not fleecy at all, more like the fabric athletic clothing is made from.

[ReneeC]

I had problems with stuff from Wazoodle being not what they said it is too. In my case, supposed organic french cotton terry won't absorb water, after 12 hot washes with Oxyclean.

I hope you didn't use Wazoodle PUL for pocket diapers. Mine delaminated and tore. I got one cut of "fine film PUL" in my sampler that is usable for pocket diapers, but the other 4 pieces aren't.