slightly scratchy wool--how can I made a softer cover with it?

[caedmyn]

I got a wool shirt at a garage sale and it's a really nice weight to make a cover, but it's a bit scratchier than I'd like. If I put a binding/bias tape around the outside, would that keep the scratchy parts off baby's skin? My DD's been out of diapers for a while so I don't really remember how covers fit over diapers.

[gabysmom617]

That's kind of tough. Have you tried felting it? I know sometimes felting it (washing it warm/hot water and drying on warm/hot) can sometimes soften and fluffen (is that a word?) up a slightly scratchy sweater. If it's *too* scratchy, this hasn't always worked for me.

If you went to the thrift store and found a thin sweater made of a wool/angora blend (angora is rabbit hair) which, in my experience, is always very soft, or maybe find a cashmere sweater (I found two at my thrift store for $1.99/peice), or some other soft wool, you could put it with your wool and make a turn and topstich cover with the soft wool on the inside next to the baby.

I'm kinda hesitant about using wool that I perceive as scratchy on a baby, though, because even if the inside is soft, the outside will still touch the tender senstive parts of the thighs.

I'd say definetly try felting it first, see how it turns out, and then go from there. Sewing wool diapering is all about experimentation!

[caedmyn]

I haven't tried felting it. I'm a little afraid it will shrink too much for the size I want, but I can see what happens. I do have a couple of really soft (and really thin) merino or cashmere sweaters so I could definitely try a T&T cover, or maybe even just a two layer cover with the soft stuff on the inside and bias tape on the edges for binding. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Roxy2007]

it wont shrink i think. i hv a few scratchy wool from a sports jacket and blazer. cant make diaper covers from them..to scratchy, i took a swatch and try lanolizing it but still scratchy.

its not like ridiculously scratchy but not for a baby's bum. i will be making baby shoes out of it and lined it with something soft.

[mamasneedlove]

Ooh, baby shoes? Is there a pattern for that somewhere? I have some great wool I can't use for a diaper cover, tell me tell me!

Jen

[Nourishma]

I have heard that soaking a sweater in hair conditioner before you felt it or even if you aren't going to felt it softens the fibers which makes sense to me....going to try it with a few scratchy ones I have...I imagine you could even do it after you make the cover before washing and lanolizing.