[ColoradoKat]

I guess I need to learn to sew. $25-45 seems crazy for what seems like just a really cute cover. I understand that they are really breathable, but jeez. I did find a really cute pair of longies NB on the trading post for a steal but I want more and just can't justify the price.

Any ideas on how to get some more for less $$$?

 

[User101]

Good wool yarn is pretty darned expensive from what I've seen, and I'm sure when you work that in most WAHMs are working for less than minimum wage. Have you tried googling directions for making your own recycled soakers from old wool sweaters? That's probably most cost effective. Good luck!

 

[User101]

longies

soaker

Those are just the first two I found. I bet there's more out there.

 

[MsElle07]

Natural wools, like the kind used for soakers, cost upwards of $15 a skein. And then add in the fact that most WAHMs spend a MINIMUM of four hours knitting a soaker (much more for pants, not including embroidery), and there's your cost. A small soaker may use one skein of wool. Large pants may use three.

 

[MsElle07]

Also, let's be careful about the difference between one person not being able to afford something and the item being overpriced. Just because you (or anyone really) doesn't have the cash does not mean that the time and materials are not worth it.

I cannot afford to have my yard professionally landscaped with tropical plants. But that doesn't mean that landscapers should charge less for their labor, importing flowers, and for the use of their equipment.

 

[ibusymomto5]

I'll echo what the others have said about wool yarn being expensive. I took up knitting last winter and found that out myself first hand. Also, one important thing to point out about the higher cost is that most wool soakers will have a much wider fit range than cheaper pul type covers. For example, I paid $8.50 each for nb Bummis SWWs. They fit my dd for the first month. I also paid $20-$25 each for a few wool covers(some knit, some jersey). All of the wool covers fit her perfectly at birth(8lbs 7oz) and continued to fit nicely for a good 3 1/2-4mo, because they have such nice stretch to them. By that time, my dd was fitting into medium Bummis SWWs. So, basically the wool covers fit the range of 2-3 different sizes of pul covers. I'm sure some wools are stretchier than others, and maybe I lucked out with super stretchy woolies. But, it's something to think about anyway.

 

[rad]

Yup, Good wool is fairly priey. But IMO, so worth it. And the time and craftmanship it takes to knit a soaker and longies also needs to count towards the price. I'm not a great knitter and it can take me about 1-2 weeks to actually finish knitting a pair of decnent looking longies. Just knitting my own, gives me a real appreciation for WAHMs who are knitting these for their business. After I've knit a few, I really have no problem forking over the money for a beautiful soaker.

 

[bobandjess99]

while i do echo what the pp's have said about good quality wool being WORTH the money...if you can't afford it, that's the issue...

HOWEVER..i just wanted to say that i have NEVER, EVER seen a shortage of wool for CHEAP on the TP/diaperswappers/diaperpin.
Seriously..if I couldn't go now and come up with at LEAST 5 items under $15, I think i would eat my keyboard.....

Cheap, decent wool really is out there.....heck, i bought a $3 wool sweater at goodwill, sewed it up the sides, added a drawstring, and VOILA, a wool soaker!
All it took was like a line of stitching, which i did by hand, because it calms me and i like it.....really, not hard, even for someone with no skils..*coughs* like me!

What size?
I'll help you look, LOL!

 

[ColoradoKat]

Thanks everyone! I had no idea wool was so expensive! Or how long they took to make. I also can now see how they will last longer than other covers because of the stretch. Thanks for the info Annette Marie on how to make one from an old sweater. I don't have a sewing maching but may be able to sew it by hand. I am looking for newborn/small gender neutral long and short ones. I'll keep looking and may get creative myself. I'll post a pic if I actually make one to give everyone a good laugh!

 

[User101]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColoradoKat Thanks everyone! I had no idea wool was so expensive! Or how long they took to make. I also can now see how they will last longer than other covers because of the stretch. Thanks for the info Annette Marie on how to make one from an old sweater. I don't have a sewing maching but may be able to sew it by hand. I am looking for newborn/small gender neutral long and short ones. I'll keep looking and may get creative myself. I'll post a pic if I actually make one to give everyone a good laugh!

Now's a good time to check out church rummage sales and yard sales. Good luck!

 

[Jessica36]

Have to add I started out making mine because of the price then selling as I wanted to make the affordable for others.