Mailbox Mondays 2/14/11 - Making Your Own Diapers, Materials & Wool

 

It's Valentines Day, my Dad's Birthday, and it's Mailbox Monday! Every Monday (if I have received a submission), I will answer reader submitted questions, and ask readers to weigh in with their opinions.

Questions don't have to be cloth diaper related, just email maria at change-diapers.com with "Mailbox Mondays" in the subject, or Fill out my contact form for readers, which you will always be able to find on my Contact Page.

Melissa says:

Hi Maria,

I know you usually purchase your diapers but I was wondering if you have any advice for making your own cloth diaper. I am currently pregnant with my first so I am still a newby with all this. I have found several great templates with step by step directions online and they all recommend using flannel as their main material. I was wondering about using fleece for the layer that touches that baby's skin, since that is what seems to be most popular with the name brand diapers. What is the difference between the fleece that I can purchase from the cloth store and microfleece? Is it really necessary to purchase microfleece?

Also, do you have a source for good wool soakers and longies?

Thank you so much for helping me wade through this world of cloth diapers :)

Melissa

You're right that I don't sew my own diapers!  I don't have a sewing machine and while I thought about getting one, I don't realistically think I'd have time to spend on that right now.  I think it's awesome that you are a) going to cloth diaper your first baby (why was I such a chicken??) and b) sewing your own!

So, when I had my bright idea that I wanted to try to make my own diapers, I joined the group Sewing Diaper Divas on Cafemom.  There is lots of great information there on materials, patterns and techniques, though my membership lapsed since I wasn't active there.  There are also a lot of talented WAHMs in the Cuties With Cloth Booties group on Cafemom, that can give you tips!

The benefit of fleece against baby's skin is that it will wick moisture away from the baby's skin into the insert or soaker of the diaper, while flannel will stay wet against the baby's skin. 

Microfleece and fleece are both polyester, but microfleece is made of smaller, and more tightly woven fibers.  It is a lighter "weight" than something like Walden Mills Fleece (which can be used as the outer of night time diapers.)  Generally speaking, water will pass through the microfleece more easily, and it doesn't get as pilly over time.

What materials you use will depend on what you want to make.  It's not a bad idea to just start out with some extra, or inexpensive flannel receiving blankets, and get some practice before buying materials.

I have three wool soakers: a Little Beetle Little to Big Cover, a Kissaluvs Kissa's Wool Lover Diaper Cover and a Mobums Wool Interlock Night Night Soaker.  Wool longies/shorties/skirties are often stocked in The Cuties with Cloth Booties Congo and The Bliss Congo, both of which are stuffed full of talented WAHMs!

I don't own any wool other than what I listed above, largely because wool is just out of my price range.

I think the readers would be better qualified to answer these questions this week!  How about you all?  Do you make your own diapers?  Do you have a favorite place to buy wool?

Monster Fluff Embroidered Fleece Soaker/Diaper Cover Review and Giveaway Open to the U.S. and Canada (CLOSED 11/6)

Long ago and far away, I asked (on Facebook) what you guys would like to see me review, and Monster Fluff was mentioned!  I had found Monster Fluff myself on Hyenacart quite a while ago when searching for monster stuff, but I hadn't pulled the trigger on a purchase yet! So, I was excited to get to do this review!

I love monsters but honest to goodness, it's not just me!  My son grabbed it from me when I opened it, just like he did with my (err...his) ooga diaper!

I received the Archie monster, embroidered on a size medium soaker.  The embroidered soakers retail for $22, and while the size chart doesn't give weight estimates, the medium fit my 18.5 lb guy just fine. 
 

The soakers are made with 100% polyester anti-pill fleece and each monster averages 14,000 stitches.  The soakers have an additional layer sewn into the wet zone, which also covers the embroidery backing.

Monster Fluff products are made by mom & daughter team Debbie and Amber.  Don't let the name fool you, they don't just have monsters.  They have tons of embroidery options available on soakers, shorties, longies and matching sets.



The craftsmanship of the soaker is really amazing.  I turned it inside out and inspected it, and the fleece is cut neatly and sewn impeccably.

The embroidery is clearly done by an embroidery machine, rather than by hand (Can you imagine?  Yikes.  Hand cramp!)  Even so, it takes skill!



The monster was centered and straight on the soaker, and there were no loose threads!

First, I tried the soaker on over the trimmest fitted I have, the Little Beetle Little to Big Diaper.

My son is about 18.5 lbs here and the diaper is on the largest setting.

I didn't have trouble getting the soaker over the diaper, and it fit very well.  The first time I changed his diaper when I was using the soaker, the fitted was wet on the outside, but the soaker seemed clean.  Gross maybe, but I sniffed it and used it again!  If I were exclusively using fitteds, I would perhaps use 2 soakers per day and air them out between uses, of course washing them if they got smelly or soiled.  Otherwise, I'd just wash them at the end of the day!

Next, I decided to try the soaker over one of my fluffiest, most absorbent fitteds, my Heartland Dreams Fitted.

It wasn't difficult to get the soaker over the diaper, but I did have to work it a little, it didn't just slide right on.  Fleece isn't as stretchy as wool, but it fit really well over both a very trim fitted, and a fluffy one!



The suggested care for Monster Fluff fleece is:  Turn inside out, machine wash warm, delicate cycle. Tumble dry low.  They suggest washing their fleece items with your regular laundry.  Oops.  I saw this after I washed, used and washed it again!  I didn't turn it inside out and I washed it on the regular cycle with my diapers, so cold, then hot.  I hung it to dry with my shells/covers.  I'll be more careful in the future!



I think the Monster Fluff soaker is awesome.  Not only is it a well made, very functional soaker, but it's adorable too!  I'd love to have a custom with longies and a matching shirt!

Giveaway:  Monster Fluff is offering one reader a soaker in his/her choice of size, gender and monster! 


Here's how to enter: All entries go in the form below.  I'd love for you to leave a comment (great way to remember you entered!) but comments don't count as entries.  Mandatory entries include name, email address and your favorite Monster Fluff item.  You may receive a bonus entry if you are a new or current "liker" of Monster Fluff Studio on Facebook.  Post will be updated regularly with the # of entries received.


I will accept entries until Saturday, November 6th, 2010 at 9 P.M. Eastern.  I will select a winner using random.org's true random number generator and notify him/her by email.  Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen.  View my giveaway rules page for complete details.  This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada. Monster Fluff Studio also offers free shipping to Canadians!

Entries as of November 6th, 2010 at Giveaway close: 205



FTC Compliance: Monster Fluff sent me the pictured soaker at no charge, for review purposes.  I was not requested or required to write a positive review, I was not otherwise compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.

Bagshot Row Bamboo Hybrid AIO Review & Giveaway! CLOSED

Bagshot Row Bamboo were the first bamboo snappiable/pinnable fitted diapers on the market.  They're very popular, quickly selling out after each store stocking.

Like most other cloth diapers, Bagshot Row Bamboo (BSRB) diapers were created when Joyce wasn't able to get quite the right fit with the snapping bamboo diapers she was using.  Her two-part soaker was also unique at the time, though many imitations have followed.  She made them extra long to allow for folding to gain more absorbency, and they were sewn in two parts for faster drying.

For those of us that prefer a waterproof diaper, Joyce created the Bagshot Row Bamboo Hybrid All In One.

This is a great example of why I think diaper names are confusing

.

The BSRB Hybrid AIO has two full layers of non-pill fleece, and a decorative layer of cotton knit in the outer shell of the diaper.  Note that there is no PUL, so it's a great alternative for Mamas who want a waterproof diaper, but have babies with PUL sensitivities.

There is no absorbent material sewn into the shell.  The diaper comes with a two part soaker made with bamboo/organic cotton fleece which snaps into the shell.  This is what I would call an all in two.  However, as I've discussed before, some people feel that only hybrid systems like the flip, where the shell can be wiped and reused for multiple changes, are all in twos.  Anything that can only be used once before laundering (in the opinion of some) is an all in one, despite being made up of two pieces.

I had no issues with wicking on this diaper, and I think that's because the decorative cotton outer is sewn toward the back of the diaper, and not in the wet zone, where the legs would be prone to wicking.

The soaker is purposely made extra-long, to allow for double, or even triple folding.  If you double both soakers over, you will have 12 layers of absorbency.

This diaper is closure-less, meaning it does not have snaps, Velcro or another closure method built in.  You have to use pins or a snappi to secure it.  The benefit is that you're not constrained by rise or snap settings; the fit is infinitely adjustable.  I only have one other closure-less diaper, so I'm really not the best at using snappis.  I am sure if you use them more regularly, they will be easier to use.  I'm getting better at it already. 

Even so, I still prefer snaps, and Joyce offers snaps as an option.  However, they are done by another WAHM, so you would need to contact her for a quote, pay, and wait for Joyce to send your diapers to her for the addition of snaps.

Not too bad for my first attempt!  My subsequent attempts were better, I swear!

Even though these diapers are waterproof, you should not let your baby wear them alone (no clothes) and also follow Snappi Baby's safety instructions to NOT use a Snappi fastener on toddlers who have the ability to undo their cover and take off their diaper and/or clothes.  Snappi fasteners do have somewhat sharp grippers, and the plastic tabs could potentially be chewed/choked on.

The first time I used my BSRB AIO, the soakers were hardly wet when I changed it.  The second time, he pooped in it immediately (soakers didn't stain at all by the way.)  So, the third time, I purposely left it on him longer than usual, so I could really test the absorbency.  I was quite surprised when I realized I could have left it on him even longer still!  There was no leaking, no wicking, and the soakers had tons of absorbency left.  They weren't even fully saturated.

If you want your own Bagshot Row Bamboo Hybrid AIO, you'll have to stalk her Hyenacart store.  She stocks each Friday at 4 and 6 P.M. central time.  Her diapers sell for $20-$25 depending on style. 

Or, you can win one!  Joyce will make one lucky blog reader a BSRB diaper in their choice of style and print!

Here's how to enter:  The first entry is mandatory, the rest are optional.  You may do as few or as many as you like.  Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Please make sure to include your email address in at least one comment, if it isn't viewable in your profile.  Giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only.

1. Visit Bagshot Row Bamboo's Store and tell me what style and print you would choose if you won.  If there isn't much in the store, you can see the items that will be stocked shortly here.

2. Follow my blog.

3. "Like" me on Facebook.

4. Follow me on Twitter.

5. Tweet about this giveaway.  One tweet per day.  Please be sure to link to this post.  You may use this tweet if you like: @chgdiapers has a #giveaway for a Bagshot Row Bamboo Hybrid All In One #clothdiaper http://bit.ly/cNuQcV ends 6/24

I will accept entries until Thursday, June 24th, 2010 at 9 P.M., Eastern.  I'll select a winner using random.org's true random number generator, and notify him/her by email.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and another winner is chosen.

Bagshot Row Bamboo provided a diaper to me at no charge, for the purpose of reviewing it.  No monetary compensation was given and all opinions are honest and my own.  BSRB also will provide a diaper to one blog reader at no charge.  Thank you BSRB!

Preston's Pants One Size Pocket Diaper Review & Giveaway CLOSED

 

Preston's Pants makes perfect size and one-size pocket diapers (my favorite, as you know by now!)  You can get solids, prints and even embroidered designs.  They come in breathable fleece, PUL, cotton prints with hidden PUL and minky.

I am of course grateful for any review diaper I receive, since I'm evaluating the fit and function, not the cuteness.  I do have to admit that I was very excited when I opened the package and saw the cute cow print I had spotted on the Preston's Pants website!

The perforated poly mailer made it that much faster to get to that fluff!  I much prefer this type of mailer to the kind that requires digging out the scissors and cutting carefully.

The package came with printed care instructions.  I really appreciate this, since each manufacturer/diaper maker has their own instructions.  Some are pre-washed, some aren't, some suggest line drying, some machine drying.  It makes it nice and simple to see it right there with the new diaper. 

The sheet also had warranty info.  Yep, Colleen has an official warranty!  Most WAHMs would stand behind their product if you complained, but I like that it's official.  I am leery of being a "complainer" but for some reason if the product were under warranty, I would feel less awkward about the complaint.  No complaints here though!

The diaper has a care tag sewn into the pocket, and this was on the reverse.  It made me laugh because cloth is an obsession!  Something I didn't know when I started out.

The snaps were evenly applied and the stitching seemed fairly even and consistent.

The diaper came with a microfiber insert and a doubler.  I believe the doubler is organic cotton.  They are used by stuffing them in the pocket opening, not laid on top, I just did that for the picture!  My diaper has a microfleece inner, which is my preference.  Preston's Pants can also be purchased with a bamboo inner.

Here's the diaper on the small rise setting.

Stretched:

The large rise setting:

Stretched:

The medium setting is about the same as the medium setting on a Flip.

I usually like to try diapers out a bit before I use them for a nap or car ride, but I put this diaper to the test right away.  I stuffed it with the doubler and put it on my son as we were riding to the airport to pick up my husband.

Looks like he should be saying "Howdy Pardner!"

I got a good fit, and the snap configuration was very simple.  Easy to put on a baby on the move.

My son wore the diaper for more than four hours with no leaking or wicking!  Preston's Pants can definitely give the "big name" pocket diapers a run for their money.  The one-size pockets start at $19.95 for solid PUL; prints and embroidery are more.  I love supporting WAHMs!

Want your own Preston's Pants pocket diaper?  Buy one.  Or, win it.  Colleen at Preston's Pants is offering a one-size pocket diaper to a lucky blog reader (Colleen picks the color.)

Here's how to enter.  You may do all or some of the below.  Leave a separate comment for each entry.  Be sure the leave your email address in at least one of your comments if it isn't visible in your profile.

1. Visit Preston's Pants and tell me what you like.

2. Follow my blog publicly.

3. "Like" me on Facebook

4. "Like" Preston's Pants on Facebook

5. Follow me on Twitter

6. Follow Preston's Pants on Twitter.

7. Tweet about this giveaway.  One tweet per day.  Please include @chgdiapers and @prestonspants in your tweet.  You may use this tweet if you like @chgdiapers has a @prestonspants #clothdiapers #giveaway ending 6/18 http://bit.ly/d15g8g

8. Grab my button for your blog.  Leave me a comment letting me know where I can find it.

I will accept entries until Friday, June 18th, 2010 at 9 P.M. Eastern.  Open to the U.S. only.  Winner will be chosen using random.org's true random number generator and will be notified by email.  Winner will have 48 hours to respond.

Preston's Pants generously provided a diaper for me to review however, the free item did not influence my review.  All opinions are my own.  Results may vary, blah blah.