pul-backed cotton?

[OllieMama]

Ok, so I recently joined a yahoo sewing group that focuses on diaper making, and they organize co-ops for buying fabric and notions and such, but they also have a DIY laminating co-op coming up in april, which I think is just the coolest thing ever. Basically, you send in whatever fabric you want to turn into pul, and they send it off to laminate the back of it and send it back to you. AMAZING. I'm so excited. But my question is this... I know polyester would probably be ideal for laminating, since it isn't really absorbent. However, what do you all think about cotton? Sure, it would be laminated on the back, but would stitching through it to sew your diaper together potentially cause major wicking issues? I don't really want to waste the money and energy if it's a bad idea, but oh, the possibilities for cuteness if I can use cotton! I would post this question in the yahoo group but I'm not terribly proficient when it comes to list-servs, and I'm just more comfortable around here anyway Thanks for your input...

btw, the group is This-End-Up if anyone wants to join and get in on the co-ops!

[MyLittleWarrior]

Polyester makes the best covers, but cotton definatly makes the cutest. Using PUL backed cotton opens you up to minor wicking issues IMO. I still use it for most of my diaper covers and pockets, because it's so darn cute. If the diaper underneath is saturated, then yes, I've had some wicking around the aplix. But that rarely happens (think baby falls asleep for nap time in not the most absorbant diaper and you don't want to wake them up by changeing them) I use a homemade cotton/PUL cover for night time, and as long as I have enough absorbancy in his diaper, I have no wicking problems.

Also, it helps if you wash in hot and dry on hot after sewing before use to reseal any holes the sewing machine made.

[mommyddeville]

I have almost the same answer as the PP. I use the cotton PUL for day time, but at night, I use polyester. My kids just wiggle enough that they end up with wicking if I don't use something like polyester.

[jerri]

I really like how cute the cotton prints are, but I've learned that it is not worth the time or expense of laminating them and using them. I don't want to spend my time making a diaper that I cannot use at night too. Or, for a heavy wetter they almost always wick even in the day. Cotton pul is great for wetbags, bibs, mama pads, etc. I just figure that I'd rather use the polyester- you can find some prints- just not a great selection.