Tempted to make some MCN's: Guidance Please.

[my-three-monkeys]

Hi all,

I have a 2 DD's still in nappies and have always used disposables, but I have recently seen some MCN's IRL, and I think they are a fantasic idea.

I am itching to get my sewing machine out: some advice would be greatly appreciated first though....

I have made a pattern based on my huggies but I would like to know what materials a newbie should use for her first MCN, and what order the layers should go?

We are in QLD, does the temp/humidy here affect what you use?

At this stage I don't want to spend too many $$$$, so spotlight would have to stock it.

Thanks in advance.
Toni.

[HotI]

I don't think you will be happy with the outcome if you are limited by only using material that Spotlight sells. For absorbancy you need bamboo (or hemp) and to stop leaks you need PUL or something similar- unless you are going to buy covers.

If you want to try MCNs, you are probably better buying a few on sale or second hand and trying them rather than home made ones first off. Else you may just get frustrated and give the idea away before you see if cloth is right for you.

[Cherished]

Hi, I looked into making some too but I am not the best on a sewing machine and I don't even have one so I would need to buy one of those too... I ended up buying some from coolababy on ebay which are all in one's, watreproof on the outside so you dont' need an extra cover plus they come with one booster in them and I purchased and extra booster for each too. I got to pick what colours I wanted and I am really happy with them (so far... I don't have a baby yet to try them out on) they are from china I think (I guess most BB'er would frown upon that) but they worked out to be about $10 each including the extra boosters. I have since looked at loads of MCN and to be honest the ones I got look very similar to pea pods but mine are adjustable for newborn through to toddler so you only need one size. As I said I haven't tried them out so I don't know if they would end up being too bulky or anything but looking at them they seem fine and good quality. I will consider buying (or making) some hemp or bamboo boosters if the microfiber ones they came with don't do the job too well. HTH

[my-three-monkeys]

Thanks Guys.

I have looked into buying the bamboo fleece and PUL on snaps.

But for my first attempt I'm going to use microfleece with towelling inner. Hopefully Spotlight have some sort of waterproof fabric that will do the trick if I can't get PUL.

If the pattern works out I am going to buy some bamboo to make some boosters.

My DD is nearly 2, and my last bub, so can't really justify the expense of purchasing a full set at this late stage.

[Trillian]

From the little that I know, you really need to do it right, with the right fabrics otherwise you do your money anyway kwim? Maz gave me a link to a place that sells everything you need for nappies but I can't for the life of me remember what it was called now.

ETA - greenbeans is what the shop is called. it is a NZ site

[Indadhanu]

I made my own pads, not mcn, so not exactly the same but i really like nappiescovered for materials

I'd be very VERY hesitant of any waterproof material from Spotlight, as it just won't breathe! PUL isnt too expensive really and if you make fitteds and covers rather than AIOs you'll be able to reuse the cover for a few nappy changes before having to wash it. When we used fitteds and covers I'd only have to use two, MAYBE three, PUL covers through the course of a day.

[my-three-monkeys]

I have that uncontrollable urge to sew.

Ok, I've been to spotlight, and they had ABSOLUTELY nothing. I should have listened...

Investigating the sites now.

[my-three-monkeys]

but i really like nappiescovered for materials

Awesome site! Thanks Leasha!

[HotI]

I checked out nappies covered too! Has anybody used the chloe toes nappy pattern? They are selling it for $27.50. Any feedback appreciated.

thanks

[my-three-monkeys]

Changed my mind AGAIN!

Darn internet: information overload!

BabyBeehinds have magic-alls snaps on sale for $17, I think that is going to be the most cost effective option for us.

However, I have still ordered a few bits and pieces to make my own.

Kate: I found a tutorial on youtube that was great 'how to sew a cloth diaper' with Caitlyn, it had a link back to the free pattern she had used.

Toni.

[HotI]

I like baby beehinds! You can always make boosters if you want to do some sewing. From Spotlight you can get a material called 'Little additions' that is good to use as a liner (makes cleaning easier). Just cut pieces about 10 cm x 30cm, no need to hem.

[maz]

I was going to say that is your using terry as an inside layer on a bigger child get ready for nappy rash. You really need a stay dry layer so that things so go festy

Glad to hear BBH's are doing the job for you. They are a good nappy for those who can use them. Unfortuneately they use microsuede and microfibre boosters which my children dont react very well with and ended up with extremly bad NR and ezcemer. We do use BBH bamboo fitteds and love them for night time nappies.

Let me know if you venture down the nappy making road....Id love to see

[Doing my best]

Toni,

maybe we should get together one day and have a go . I need inspiration some days, just more than my DH saying he has faith in me to get some made before we go away at Easter, LOL.

I have a pattern, just lacking the motivation, LOL.

[my-three-monkeys]

I am totally addicted to making MCN's! I ended up using the Ottobre nappy pattern online in a size L to fit my 2 and 3 1/2 DD's. The pattern is snug fit on my girls. No bubble buts or leaking leg holes.

Bought some gorgeous poly PUL from nappiescovered and fairyfabrics. (Used a cut of cotton PUL but it is too hard and uncomfortable on DD's: like wearing cardboard!)

PUL with 3 layers of bamboo fleece inner (prob not enough, but ok for home or with a booster) and suedecloth lining. Velcro fastening. At DD's age I figure they will be more a toilet training nappy anyway.

BBH are great on DD#3, I use 2 boosters in the pocket at night . No nappy rash bar the first day I used them, and I think that may have been because it was one of those really yucky humid days we had.

Will have to post some pics MAZ, I'd be interested to have an expert opinion

Heather: heaps of motivation here, just not enough hours in a day!! Easter will be here before we know it: I can't believe they put out the hot cross buns in january....

[~Raven~]

Well done on making some nappies!

3 layers of bamboo is all you really need for the built in booster. Anything thicker than that would take too long to dry and would also be pretty hard to sew due to the thickness. A lay in booster of 3 layers will compliment it well and make a very good nappy! And really that is how most of the top nappy makes do them anyway

[maz]

Will have to post some pics MAZ, I'd be interested to have an expert opinion

best not show me

great to hear though that you have made something that works so well for you. so I gather the PUL your using is gthe 1m and not the 2m. I dont like using cotton PUL either...tis to hard to work with (for me)

[my-three-monkeys]

Maz: does 2m just mean the PUL coating is thicker? There is definitely an art to making mcn's!

Raven: I've bought extra bamboo to make some lay in boosters aswell. Hopefully it will turn up during the week.....On a first name basis with the postie again.

Toni.