Making Hemp Flats Questions

[marimara]

I want to make some hemp flats. I bought 2 yds of Hemp/organic cotton terry fabric and want to get it right the first time. I don't have a serger so I plan on zigzagging over the edges. I will use organic cotton thread if I can find it. I want to do 2 ply, one side smooth, the other side terry so I can decide which I like better. Which size is the most versatile? I want to be able to stuff pockets and lay in wraps. I have a 25lb toddler. I was thinking 14x17 after shrinking. I should wash and shrink before I sew, right? Does 14x 17 sound like a good size? or bigger? Thanks!!!!

[autumnfairy76]

Hi! Not sure if I can answer your question on sizing, but I have worked with hemp terry and hemp fleece to make flat foldable pocket inserts. And I can say: definitely wash and shrink first. A note on zigzagging the edges too: For some reason, at least with my machine, this fabric gets all wavey on the edges when you zigzag on them and its kind of a pain to work with. But after a few washes and uses, I don't think it's as noticable.
I never have the hemp fabric next to baby's skin as in flats, it seems kinda stiff after air drying. But I always put the loopy side up in the pockets. Not sure if it makes any difference, but it makes me feel like it's more absorbent that way anyway.

[marimara]

I wonder if it would be better to turn and topstitch because of the wavy-ness. Maybe I will try one of each at first and see what I like better. Thanks for the info!