PUL suggestion

Ok, I dunno much about cloth nappies & theer users but I thought I would make a suggestion. Its probably somethign someone has already thought of years ago!
While I was pg I was looking at the idea of making fitted nappies but the cost of PUL put me off. Anyway I bought a mattress protector today & its made of a terry towelling /PUL material. I paid $35 for a double bed size. That would make a HEAP of covers. Just thought I would share that, I thought it would be a cost effective way of getting the PUL material.
Do people already do this?

Interesting...what brand was that? I'll have to go sus one out!

are you sure it was pul and not pvc??

Yep, I didn't want to put PVC on the bed so when I fpuind this I grabbed it. I have thrown out the bag it came it but I am 100% sure it was a Polyurethane backing.
Ok hang on, I have pulled off the care label, Its "Tontine" brand. Cotton Polyester upper (80% cotton 20% polyester) with a polyurethane backing fabric.

ETA- I got it from Big W, but have seen them in best n less as well. Also they have a bit of the material attached to the outside of the packet so you van feel & see it as well.

That is interesting. I have slept on allergy free protectors in the past and foudn them horrible as they dont breathe. Perhaps a PUL one wouldbe different??

FJ - this is a master stroke - not only as a source of PUL but also because I've been wondering what people put on their beds in late pregnancy in case their waters break during the night. I might use it as a mattress protector first then cut it up for covers later.

Brilliant.

LOL thats a good idea!

What a fantastic idea! :D

i might have to go have a look and try it out

Since getting into cloth, I think the PUL covers would work but its much thicker then nappy PUL. But I still think it could work.

I'm a very very new beginner of making cloth nappies!!! lol....

Just a quick question
- can you get PUL from Spotlight or only on the net? seems like its expensive stuff...
- does the PUL make the outside cover of the nappy or does it go 'inside' as an inner layer? sorry i am sooo new at this....
- can you get nappy patterns at spotlight? i've seen them online for free anyway....
- how many layers does a fitted nappy need??
and
- is flanelette ok to use as the inner? cheaper?

thanks

No you can't get PUL at Spotlight.
You can use some PUL's as your outside layer. Wildchild Day Dreamer Nappies use a PUL outter. Peapod are another but hold the two together & they feel different. Although I believe Wildchild are about to change the PUL they use on their prints.
You can get PUL from Bubba Earth thats plain white & some people use this under (hidden) a nice outter layer.
You probably can find nappy patterns at spotlight, I know I have seen baby patterns that are for little suits, hats etc & will have a nappy pattern also. But there are some great free ones online anyway so I wouldn't bother with trying to find them at spotlight.
As for how many layers it depends on what material your using as your absorbant layers.
You can use flannel as the inner. Do you mean the inner absorbant layer or the inner layer thats against the babys skin? If you mean the layer against the skin then yes you can but you would need to use a liner to get that staydry effect. Microfleece is good to use for this.
Now is a good time to get your fleece cheap. Go to spotlight & see what they have left. If you can find the "Little Additions" range of microfleece this is nice for nappies. They also stock a Micro POLAR fleece. This is ok, but I found it a bit harder to sew with. Not sure why but my machine didn't like it.
Spotlight don't keep fleece stocked over the summer months which is why you will need to either ask if they have anything left of seach for it BUT if you can find any it will more then likely be reduced to clearence prices so if you find a heap grab it because come winter those prices will shot from $4 a meter to about $12.
Another nice nappy useable material at spotlight is the Cotton Rich Fleece. Its absorbant & makes a nice outter layer & is nice for wipes are well. I have about 8 meters of it! lol

MMMMM I want to go to spotlight now but I know my local is out of the fleece etc, I bought it all already LOL

FJ -thanks so much for your help.... ! its a bit scary when you have no idea where to source all this stuff lol i looked at your nappies they are so cute! :P

My first project is a Cotton Fitted. I've got cotton for the outer layer, then in the middle i'll have microfleece (will try and see if spotlight have any left today!) and on the babies skin, i'll try the flanelette... might also head to Kmart and grab a pack of the terry flats to use as another layer of absorbency.... or maybe cut them up to use as liners...!??

its all experimenting i guess hey... i havent sewed in 13yrs! got my first sewing machine yesterday from Spotlight (it was on special!) Brother. and i am already hooked!!

oh, and Lastin or FOE? what's best to use??

and is Microfibre the same thing as microfleece?? same thing? different word?

No No, Microfibre & Microfleece are different. I fyou use Microfleece in the middle it wont work. Microfleece isn't absorbant. You use it as your stay dry liner so the layer thats agains the skin. So you couldhave a nice cotton outter then say your terry toweling for your middle layers, which you can just do 1 layer that is the full shape of your pattern then a rectangle soaker panel in the wet zone then Microfleece as your inner.

Microfibre is a absorbant material. if you have alook in the cleaning isle at the supermarket there is all those wizzbang cleaning clothes, these are microfibre. You can use microfibre as your absorbant layers but it sbest to beck it up with something else because if you squeeze it the liquid will come out. so if you have it between a some layers of say bamboo or hemp or even terry towelling it will give you a very absorbant nappy. If you look bacj though my blog there is a photo "how to" for making a nappy.

For a fitted napy Iwould just use elastic, Swimwear or Braided & about 6mm minimum width, I think most use 12mm. FOE is good for covers or AIO's but its bugger to work with so save that for when you have had a few goes.

Thanks FJ! Sorry to be a pain hehe
I went to spotlight earlier today and got a few supplies - (it was a new store opened near us so lots of clearance specials and cheap prices ont he materials!)

6mm braided elastic i bought... and i got some flanelette (pattern one and just plain white one) few metres of each to play around with, also got some Polar Fleece (pink) - i hope thats the right stuff? for the middle layer?!? :dunno: reading above, now im confused! lol ---- its called "little additions micro polar fleece" thats what i bought, thats all they had the lady said.....
i'll check out your blog for sure....
ive been reading all the nappy making websites trying to learn as much as i can its just all a bit confusing at first hehe

I guess i cant really make one now until i have got some PUL from the net? is that right??? sorry for all the questions promise its the last one!!!!! :D

Its ok, I don't mind at all. Ok Picture this Your otter layer can be PUL or even your Flannel (but will then need a cover) then your Middle layer is something absorbant. Then the inner (which is touching the baby) you can use the Microfleece (little additions is spot on!).
You can make a water restant layer by using 2 layers of Polar fleece (the thicker fleece at spotlight) it wont be fantastic but it will work for at home. Good to make covers from.

Believe me I was just as lost as you to start with tnow 6 months later there is no stopping me LOL.

How do you plan on closing your nappy? Velcro?

Yep - just sticking to the velcro at this stage!! seems the easiest way for a beginner....?

ok i pictured what you said and it makes sense... kinda :D hehe

This is what i have to work with -

Flannel (outer)
Polar Fleece (inner)
Absorbent layer (in very middle) - terry towelling (I bought a pack of 12 cotton towel flats)
(correct me if im wrong with what im about to use please!)

as for template, and copying something, i went to BigW and grabbed one of those cute little $5 white cotton cloth nappies to use as a sample one to copy and so i can see where they have put the elastic, the velcro etc etc.... also cut out the absorbent pad in the middle and it looks like 100% polyester fibre (microfibre) they've used... I think :dunno: hehe i did grab something at spotlight but then put it back wasnt sure if i should have taken it now...

i guess i can just make the nappy then run some water into it to test it out!!! :cryinglaugh:
and like you said, if they are cr@p then they can always be used for a "stay at home " nappy! hehe
i want to make a good one soon for my niece before she gets too big!

**EDIT**
whats an Overlap? is that a cover that goes over the nappy that you make or buy?
&
Can i buy PUL online only? :D thanks!

Yep Online is the only way I know of to buy PUL OR you can send your own material away to Wildchild & they have a PUL service where they will have your material laminated but I think thats about $19 a meter to do, but if you had something you really liked & wanted to make a nappy from then it would be worth it.
Your set up sounds good. If your using the towelling as your absorbant layer just do one piece that is the full pattern size then do a few layers as a rectangle booster to add to it (explained better on my blog) I think 3 or 4 layers would be good. Then you can make a lay in booster to add extra to your nappy once its done. So you could make a rectangle of say 4 more layers of towelling & top it with microfleece & then you have your lay in booster.

Now the nappy you cut open from Big W uses wadding its not absorbant at all. If you tipped a cup of water onto that it would go straight through. Don't worry about it for yours, not worth it.
Cheap alternatives for extra absorbancy are the microFIBRE cleaning clothes I mentioned earlier. You can usually buy a square of it from junk shops & you just fold into 3 & there you go, an extra booster for your nappy. But don't place it aghainst the babys skin, people say it drys out their skin. What I did was bought a heap & folded them into 3 then sewed on a layer of micrfleece & I use that as my booster on a lot of my nappies. Its good because it adds some fantastic absorbancy & by placing it ontop you get a faster drying nappy with good absorbancy. Once you have gotten the hang of things get your self some Bamboo or Hemp to use. But again only available online.

Where abouts are you?

eta - overlap??? Um unless your talking about having the wings so they overlap so you can close the nappy smaller? So if your using velcro to close you could have some ont he outside of one wing to you can close it tighter & it will have a place to join KWIM? Wildchild overlap, itti's are another that do, um I think BBB's do as well??

Thanks for that info! :D

Overlap - yeah that is probablywhat they meant... ikwym... velcro on the outside to make it smaller...
i might do that on mine...
ok i'll do the full pattern size in terry towelling and then cut up a few 13x30cm (approx) pieces for the booster pad/liner that comes out of the nappy. i understand now why this is done so it makes the nappy itself less bulky hence easier to wash and dry faster...
ok so PUL buy online only and Hemp/bamboo (will get into that once i know what im doing hehe)

thats terrible about the BigW nappy, i wonder why they sell them then if they are useless? yeah they arent very thick at all! hhmmm maybe not a good example for me to use then! hehe

as for MicroFIBRE cloths, yeah i know what you mean i think we have some in our kitchen so i might try and get a hold of some of them...

with the 4 layers of terry towelling & microfleece, i'll use the polar fleece (that i have) instead with the 4 terry towelling.... that should do the trick? if not its all good practise for me anyway :D

im in the gold coast ;) are you in Vic?

Still do maybe 2 extra layers in the wet zone attached to your middle layer. So cut out your bits then sew on a panel in the center of the middle layer. Then Also the extra lay in bit.

Im In NSW. Pretty much up in the Blue Mountains.

ok so pretty much 3-4 full size sheets (pattern size) and then 4 inners at least! in the "wet zone"... i get it ...
oh blue mountains - nice part of the world!

I've been looking at nappycino a bit thats got some great info about diff types of materials/fabrics and their advantages/disadvantages.... that along with your very helpful info is making it more clear for me :D
thanks soo much for your time i really appreciate your help and guidance.... its a fun project making nappies hey!!! keeps my mind busy anyway whilst ttc!i'll check out your blog now...

Yep so 1 layer is our outter, 2nd layer is your middle , 3rd layer is your inner (baby) & then add 2 o3 extra bits to your middle layer. Have you looked at my blog? Its onthere what I mean. back in the october posts I thnk.

Hey!!
Yeah i checked out your "october" blog last night and it makes perfect sense! The photos and the way you explain it is easy to understand..... definitely much clearer now ;)
I can't wait to finish this first nappy and upload a photo of it! its soo fun i'm already hooked!!! finding the time often is hard but i am trying to do bits and pieces here and there each night and on weekends ;)
also going to order some PUL and hemp/bamboo online in a week or so, for my 3rd nappy to give that a go!!! as i get better :P

I'm new to the nappy making game as well - I bought a Honeyboy pattern online to use as it comes with full instructions and pictures and I like the tabs. My newborn size nappies are going to look like this:

Outer: Microfleece (for aethetics only)
Hidden Outer: PUL (for waterproofing)
Soaker pad: 2 layers of 100% terry toweling sewn to a full layer of flannel
Inner: Flannel

Additional lay-in booster:
Back: Flannel
Inner: Terry toweling
Front: Microfleece (should theoretically wick moisture away but that might be polar fleece)

I'm using standard braided elastic as its what the pattern calls for.

I figure with a newborn I'll be changing frequently anyway so the main issue is poo containment, not wee absorbtion. I'm going to get some hemp or bamboo or microfibre for the soaker pad for the bigger sizes - which is the most absorbent?

leebee - your nappy sounds wonderful! :D how much was your pattern? I might have a look at that one...

yeah im using 6mm braided elastic also. and velcro... im about to attach the velcro on my nappy tonight!!!! yay!

one thing i did wrong, was the ELASTIC attachment! oh my gosh, how is the easiest way to do it? i sewed it on tight and all but then had to sew on the outer layer last, should i have done this first?? lol i couldnt sew outer layer on properly (now its crooked!!) as the elastic was pulling tight if that makes sense haha silly me... DH suggested i sew the nappy and then unpick at the top and add the elastic in that way and feed it thru - was he right? he seems to remember heaps from sewing class in school whereas i dont!

so my next question is - (related to the thread anyway!)

where do i purchase the PUL material from? Bubba earth? I have registered with them anyway.
and how much do you think i should purchase to start off with? I might do what you are doin and put it just under theouter layer. so its notseen but is there as waterproofing.

mmmm not sure what you have done there Renstar. mmmm you need to have all 3 layers sewn together before the elastic goes on. So have your Middle layer on the table then lay your inner layer on top with the right side facing up then place your outter layer on top of that with the right side facing down. Sew it together leaving a hole big enough to put your hand in.
Now before turning it right way out, add your elastic. Once your elastic is added turn the nappy right side out. then sew your hole closed.
I might make a little video & add it too my blog. Might be fun LOL.

Bubba earth sell it, um tiny toosh sell it also. you can buy nappy cuts of it also. You need about a 50 by 45cm bit for 1 nappy so use that as a guide of how much to buy.

what you just explained to me, is what DH was trying to explain to me earlier!! lol... ah i see... well, um this nappy is no good then! lol i had no idea that i needed to sew from the inside then turn it outside woopsies... it looks cute anyway... just shows the stitches on the outside.. but its yellow fabric with polka dots and white thread so you cant really see the thread anyway! might be a good 'home' nappy one day lol.... its a start!
im about to buy some PUL from bubba earth, thanks.

and with the video, please dont hassle yourself with it unless its something you want to do for yourself anyway... if you do it, let me know and i'll watch it ;)

yeah I was going to do one anyway just for fun.

and sorry but I just have to say it, Derrrrr at sewing the nappy the way you did lol.

:cryinglaugh: you're mean!!!! I haven't sewed for 13yrs mind you!!! lol... i still think it looks pretty tops!!haha

I've just been reading this thread... and I make mine with Terry (touching the baby), 4layers of terry sewn to the bit touching the baby and just a cotton print on the outside to look good. I don't really use covers, I like to know when he's wet. I've made a few and they work fantastically well on Jensen. I'm trying to sell one on eBay now, but I've only got watchers... No-one wants to buy it. I gave one as a christmas present to a lady at mothers group, and they all think I should see if I could sell any at the markets... How well do you think I would go?

My materials I use are mainly the ones we have at home(or in most cases, at MIL's), which is her old stuff and stuff thats been donated to us... We don't have a big selection, and most of it is a bit girly.... Can't put it on a boy!

Is there anything that I should do differently?

Thanks!

sconeonamission
I make my own nappies too. PUL outer, flannel soaker(taken out to wash), microfleece inner. I used to use polarfleece as the outer, but then tried the PUL, and will never look back. I tried to sell my nappies at the local market, but found that ppl were too lazy to wash them and stuck with the diposables. No matter how much you tell them that it isn't hard to wash them, they dont believe you. Will check out your nappy on ebay.
If you use mircrofleece next t the babys skin instead, they will always feel dry on their skin (unless they are soaking wet that is) You can still feel if they are wet through PUL as it isn't fully waterproof. As you can imagine, it breathes so you must be able to feel the moisture at some stage.

Hi there,
I'm about to give nappy making a go too. I have been thinking and looking for ages and have to say, FJ you really inspired me!!! I looked at your blog pics and yep, I reckon your photo instructions are ace! Even I could do that hehe. Thanks so much for your time and patience letting us beginners get the know how from you.

Off to fossick in my fabrics cave.... might find my way out by tomorrow hehe.