Cloth Nappy Making #5

[Salsa]

Hi, just introducing myself.
I used kooshies on DS and sold them when we moved house.
Now Im having #2, and cloth nappies seem to have changed alot in whats popular and materials etc since DS was using them.
A friend has said to make my own, so I`m gonna try it out...but wondering if it is really all worth it? I have a sewing machine, overlocker and think i will buy a snap press. Im guessing from what i have read its cheaper to buy the right materials from online shops, is that right?
....oh, so much new terms and info to learn about nappies since our lovely days with our old naps.
Im hoping to get ones that are 1 size fits all. the ones we used to have lasted 2mths -12mths then 12mths -24mths.
I have heard wee weka is a great pattern too.

oh, and when people talk about hook and loop - what is that? is that velcro?

[~Kim~]

Hi girls,
I've never ventured into here, but with #2 on the way I thought I might have another go at making my own. I have a couple of questions though.

1. Which do you find better - turned and top stitched or overlocked (I do have an O/L but it's a love/hate r'ship)
2. I'm undecided about whether or not to get a snaps machine so can snaps be added when nappies are already made? (figured for a littlie I'd use snappies).

THanks in advance....

[~Raven~]

Salsa hook & loop is the same as velcro. Velcro is a commercial brand though and there is H&L that is better than it.
I puchesed both the honeyboy and very baby patterns and also drafted my own using a few elements from my fav nappies. I didn't get around to using the free ones for a silly reason - my printer broke and I decided to buy a pattern instead of buying a new one

Kim I prefer turned and top stiched cos my overlocking seems to go crazy when it's going to be out on display, though I should persist as I need the practice

On the snaps machine I would say that depending on how many nappies you want to make will determine if it's worthwhile. I chose not to and use H&L or borrow one that I had use of (I bought my own snaps) but I will be getting one soon.
If you're using a snappi you need to make it from a fabric that the snappy can grip to so a terry type fabric is best.

[Salsa]

Yes, I found snappys to work well - but only on the right material - something with grip factor like terry towelling. Otherwise they are useless.



I have found a whole heap of merino in my fabric box, so I thought I could make some wraps/covers with it. I`ll need to lanolise it wont i? And has anyone else tried using merino ? is it effective as a cover?

I read that wool is popular for covers now, but have never tried it.

[~Kim~]

cool thanks...so if I use flanallette for the outers the snappie won't work?

[Salsa]

flannel/brushed cotton does not work - however the type of material used to make flannels (faceclothes) does

Im not sure what else would work -

[~Raven~]

The fabric needs to have a loopy texture so the little grabs on the snappi can hold onto it so flanelette is no good for snappis. You can use pins or the tie on snibs for flanelette.
Terry towelling or french terry would work. Even micro terry. They sell all of this stuff at SL.
You could get away with only using a terry type fabric on the areas the snappy needs to be but it would create a bit of work adding them on I would imagine.