contour diapers from old towels?

[Incubator]

I've been looking at patterns online, and all I can really find is fitted diapers, with elastic, which I don't really want. I just want something diaper-shaped that my husband can easily snappi and then put a wool soaker over.
Any thoughts on this? I already know I need to put a layer of flannel on the outside, because the snappi doesn't "bite" into the towel fabric.
I'm thinking a layer of flannel and a layer of towel, with a towel soaker stitched in the middle for faster drying. Will I have to worry about blowouts? Has anyone attempted something like this? Experience?

[LaughingHyena]

I've had no problems with a snappi on toweling fabric. We use mostly terry flats with no problems.

We had some (omerial) shaped nappies which sound very much like your plan.
The issues we had were that when DD was tiny it was hard to get the legs tight enough. I also felt they took to long to dry.

Ours are pretty much the same shape as the motherease one size.

[cjarvis]

Have you seen the MatNap?

http://catalabella.com/2007/06/29/the-matnap/

I haven't tried it yet, but looks good

[AngelaVA]

Don't want to hijack the thread but I think this is a great idea and had a follow up question: what if the towels have been dryed with fabric softener? Should they not be used for a diaper at all then or is there a way to strip out the fabric softener residue?

[IncompetentHousewife]

Hmm, it seems like a Snappi would hold onto the towel just fine. Ah, I just tried in and see that it doesn't. It slips off the shaggy threads. I thought it would grab onto them.

Anyway, yes, your idea would work fine. As long as the cover holds in the stuff, the diaper doesn't need to be fitted. I have used all kinds of materials to do just this: leftover stretch terry from making a robe, old cotton sweaters (not a great idea as they stretch out too much when wet), old polo shirts, etc.)

Regarding fabric softener, I think you could get it out just by washing without it. We strip our diapers by using extremely hot water and that might work. My husband cranks up the water heater and runs a hot load, and also boils water on the stove to dump in to make it even hotter.