Cloth Nappy Making #2

Ummm... LOL... just cotton... hehe. And yeah for nappies.

Tanya

ETA... and what is the best type of elastic to use?

Just wanted to check something with you very knowledgable ladies before I start cutting. I have some hemp to make boosters for my nappies, and I just wanted to check whether I should what it bfeore I cut it. I am sure that I read somewhere that it shrinks heaps and I would hate to get happy sewing only to find it all shrinks!

Yep definitely wash at least 3 times in HOT water and if possible tumble dry in between to get it to the maximum shrinkage before you cut..HAve Fun

OK lets' get this sewing day up and running ;)
Maz would have to do a weekend right? Weekends are fine with me :D

Anyone have some tips for how best to prevent this happening...
The last nappy I made (with bamboo fleece & bamboo velour) the front wings drop down. All the nappies I have made have been the same pattern & I have no troubles so I am thinking its the material I am using. They nappy pattern is a similar shape to the sandman in that the front rise is very wide (I like to have abit to wrap around the front IFYKWIM) & its the sides that drop down. If i made them more narrow up the front do you think that might help? I think the Velour (which I am usin gon the outter) is too slippery & thats why its dropping. Any thought?

Sounds like wing droop to me FJ and most probably due to the slippery velour. Also the bamboo fleece is very stiff in comparison so it most likely can't hold itself up IYKWIM.
You could make the wings a bit smaller if you think it may help. Something that's just popped into my mind is every nappy I have that is made from bamboo velour is side snapping. Have you made a side snapping nappy yet?

No, but i will try that because even the one I tried with smaller wings did it too. I also think I need to make them bigger. Isla must have changed since I lastused this pattern. I have put it all away for now. I have decided I need to finsih the longies I have been knitting for like the last 3 weeks before I start a new project. Mind you making nappies is so much faster! I will be really proud once I finsih the longies but I don't think knittin gis something I will pick up again for a while, its too time consuming!

God FJ I have no idea...I cant get my head around making nappies like you lot Im just the cover biartch PMSL
Sewing weekend!!! YES YES please!
What about in 4 saturdays time? or the 22nd of September then it wont clash with Mel's markets

Is anyone interested in some Bamboo Velour? I have 2 metres of it that I got off buy for Baby & I really don't see me using it. I would be happy to swap it for something or cut it to a smaller amount if someone only wants a nappy cut worth. I paid $8 for 1/2 metre. So would be happy to pass it on at the same cost. Its white & I am pretty sure its Bubba earth stuff.
I would just rather use a nice printed flannel or something as the outter over this stuff. It sure is nice & soft etc but I have way to much of it.

Speaking of bamboo velour I dyed some yesterday with procion dyes and it looks soooo lush!!!
I am trying to upload photos now if want a squizzy......I also had a pyjama top that hubby washed with seomthing of his that ran and left it grey looking so I chucked it in with the fuschia dye and it came up reallly cool...very bright colour but still better than dirty grey. The pj bottoms are there to sow what the pjs used to look liike before hubby wrecked the top...I think I might stick the bottoms in some dye now that I know it works!

Maz the 22nd would be great for a sewing day.....shall we make that a date and organise everyone else's bums for them...hehe!!!?? That way you can plan your trip down as well and be hanging on us making a decision.

i can't make the 22nd, I'm going to the ballet! I might just have to come for a drive and pick up the fabric Mel.

we can make it the week before I don't have amarket that weekend...that is 3 weekends away....the 15th...MAz? how about you?

I can do 15th, but honestly don't change it just for me if everyone else is good for the 22nd

Rayray the ballet sounds fantastic :D Hope you enjoy it!

FJ I'm sure it will sell on ebay or B4B.

15th or 22nd is fine by me too ;)

Yeah I just thought I would offer to you girls first. I will proabably put it on Ebay later today.

Yes 15th sounds FAB~!!!!!!!! Woo Hoo girls im so excited now.. be a busy week for me ;) your place Mel???? *raising eyebrows* I so want to droll over your material stash
FJ - Oh po I just ordered 6 meters worth from a co-op and thank you for asking us first...will keep my ears open for you
going to mark the calender NOW!!!! hehehehehehe

What on earth are you going to use 6 meters for.
What can I use it for other then the outter? I like to use microfleece as the inner.

Prefolds matie, double layered ones and boosters

how are you doing the prefolds? it doesn't seem thick enough...
Tell me tel me, I might have to do that too LOL

didnt the girls at NC fill you in????? pmsl
2 layers (front and back) then with an extra layer in the middle

lol, just wasn't sure when you be back on.
so it would be 232?

Have you seen a prefold IRL FJ? Maybe you could order one so you can see how they go together. Maz has described it spot on or there is the traditional prefold that is made from two pieces sewn together and then then folded and sewn like a quilt to make the thicker pad down the middle (well it's not like a quilt but that's the best way I can think of to describe what I'm trying to say ;) )

someone posted a great link on NC so now i get it lol, wanna go to sl now lol

Linz what exactly do you mean? what kind are you getting made up? Fitted ones or prefolds?

ah ok.
Well you have a few options for covers. You could use Fleece, PUL or Wool. I bought some PUL online & fold over elastic that worked well & I thought was pretty easy. With fleece you can either buy Malden Mills fleece or use polar fleece from Spontlight & use to layers. Wool, do you know anyone who knitts? If you use 100% wool then you can make heaps of cute soakers & longies. these are my fav's at the moment but I am not that keen on knittins it takes too long!
I have a snap press if you wanted to have snap buttons rather then velcro put on them as well if you like. Would even be happy to make you some nappies if you give me some materials.

Spot on FJ! 232 but I totally agree with Sammi - I bought one so I could see how they are. If you get the chance ask if someone around you has one you can have a looksie at mate. Good luck...ive got a mountain of them to make now

hey guys I am look at buying some nappy patterns, any suggestions (on which to buy) since it will be my first go at it? I have a free ottobre pattern but its supposed to be huge..

I've got VB AIO and Honeyboy. Both are quite different.
VB is quite small and I've messed about with it a bit to get the fit right for Caleb. I got the honeyboy as I bought some and liked the fit but the pattern isn't made for snaps which I prefer due to them being harder to take off if they are just in the nappy.

i dont have a nappy pattern, ive got a cover pattern though...will have to show you at the sew up

thanks! VB and honeyboy were the ones I looked at online today. I will def. get a VB pattern cos I really like side snapped (hmmm it that the right terminology) nappys for milo as he is a tummy sleeper.

So, is the sew up location confirmed?

Well I am happy to host the sew up if everyone is happy to come to downtown "Langy"

Mel honey sounds perfect!

heeh I might even clean the house for you guys....so consider yourself very privileged.......

Hi girls, I hope you don't mind me jumping in!

I am going to jump on the MCN bandwagon and I don't want to buy them, maybe one or 2 so i can get an idea on what they look and feel like. I hope to make my own soon.

Has anyone made any AIO with any success? I am reading the 1st thread to try and catch up but I haven't seen anything yet. I am curious as to what makes them so absorbent. I am not a fan of pilchers..

I look forward to getting to know you all! Hope you are all having a great weekend!!!

I

Sarah - I havent made an AIO but I use fleecie and PUL covers. PIlchers...oh yuck!!!! Have you had a look at all the types of MCN's out there? Your better off to trial and error before jumping in to quickly...Some girls make a pocket nappy and stuff it with a booster, i use pea pods. Yo have to find the right type so to speak, of nappy you like before jumping in and making some. Good idea to get a few first like you said. Some have different height's in the waist, snap finished, velcro finish or snappy finish. I hope im not being to confussing (my head is now spinning lol) come back and let us know what exactly you have looked at and tried and we'll see if we can help.
Mel - one more week. Im so excited!!!!!!!!! Dont bother about cleaning the house...Ive got thread everywere here all over the floor, in the kids stuff...ah Vy had some in her mouth before. DOesnt matter mate!
On a nappy designer/legend (as some refer to her as) wavelength, I must tell you I have had the absoluet pleasure of meeting Lori who makes VB's. I was in totaly ore of her wednesday when she came to MY HOUSE!!! sorry for the shouting but she is the most amazing woman i have yet meet. She has 7 children, her eldest has autisum, she is at Uni and tafe and running her business. It was so good to talk to someone here that can relate to having
a) a child with a disability
b) a hectick mummy schedule
c) your own business
d) plus trying to keep you house ....well sort of clean
She offered for me to come to her house for a sew up...I learnt so much from her in the 2 hours I talked with her. I have a new super hero...Lori
Enough Maz *Maz slaps herself in face*. Must go...sewing some delishious new covers that I'll show off to you all at Mel's next saturday.

okay peops time to get a show of hands as to who is coming to my place next week.

I think Maz might be (heheh) anyone else...Sammi, Cat, Nelle, Tracey, Ray, Jols......anyone????

Tracey said she would come and make coffees and drool........you still up for that..I have a pressie here for zyon too if you are coming otherwise I will pop up for a visit. I have been waiting to hear you are a bit less frazzled before turning up on your doorstep!!

Ray if you are coming I have your precious microfleece for you too hun!!

SarahBarah if you are in the Melbourne you are ,most welcome to join us for our sewup too.

I also have a portacot if anyone bubbas need nye nyes and stuff like that.........
I am going to double post seeing as this thread doesn't get as much traffic so apologies in advance

Aaah. I never read this thread (well, not often). We're lunching next Sat with some friends so can't come to Langy (runs away and hides in shame).

Hi Mel, I am in Horsham, so not far away except for the fact I am too scared to get my P's :lol: I would have loved to come to the sew up but maybe some othertime.

Maz, I guess the reason I want to jump right into the AIO's is the convenience. I really love my disposables, they are not too bulky and only one layer to fuss with. I guess in my mindset the more layers you put on the bulkier the lot gets, am I mistaken? I think I have a lot to learn still....

What is PUL? I know I saw other abbreviations that I don't know, if any others can be clarified that would be great.

Well time to start coming up with some money so I can fund my new project :lol:

PUL is polyurethane laminate. Its a type of waterproof stuff but it breaths. So sort of the same effect as your yukky plastic pants but much nicer for bub & you can get it in a massive range of materials. Check out Wild Child nappies, they have a laminating service where you send in your own material. So really you could get what ever you wnated as far as patterns go.

MM is Malden Mills Fleece. Again another waterproofing layer. Comes in a range of different weights. Makes nice covers & used in AIO's. - first AIO I made was of MM outter hemp internal soaker & microfleece inner. Its the black & white check one on my blog, works really well. Fast becoming one of my fav nappies.

FOE is Fold over elastic. I have used it but not that fussed with it only because I don't need it for how I made my nappies & covers. Its like a thick bit of elastic that has a crease in the middle so you can fold it over. so you end up with elastic on both sides of your material, you use it to bind the edge of something. Have a look at the Baby Behind PUL & wool covers to see what I mean.

MF could be Micro Fleece or Micro fibre. Mfleece is what yiou have as your liner or inner of a nappy to keep skin feeling dry. M Fibre is very absorbant material.

ummmmmm thats all I can think of right now.

I made my first nappy last night. Think i did pretty well however i'm having one problem. The elastic i put in the legs isn't making the material bunch up, if that makes sense, so it's not stretching much. When i'm sewing the elastic on it's stretch as far as it goes but then when im finished it just doesn't, i don't get it. What am i doing wrong?