Make your own nappies

[karen99]

Hi all, I was toying with the idea of making ds his own nappy specifically for his requirements! but I'm stumped on the first hurdle of where you can buy cheap terry on the net. Have thought about purchasing some cheap towels from somewhere but thought there must be a better way of doing it.. any ideas?

Also, I've read it's a help to use a nappy pattern first time so you know how it all pieces together etc. Can anyone recommend one? [honestly I have looked but could only find on an american site which looked nothing like our UK shaped nappies!]

Many thanks

Hi motherp, shocked you didn't spend Friday night counting threads. Thanks for letting me know that at least they appear to be good. I think they're larger than other ones out there which sounds sensible to me: more area = more coverage = less dribble / vom on me / cot / floor etc.

I did read someone suggesting 60cm sq. is a better size for use as muslin liner in a nappy... anyone care to express an opinion ?

So, we both seek clarification that muslins used for nappies are OK as muslins for dribble (following 60 degree wash)... any nappy experts out there ?

Maybe sew a smallish red dot / cross or something on the nappy muslins ? Or use one of those indelible pens and label it 'explosive poo only' ?

Oh my goodness - I've only just discovered that people have been posting on here since me! I thought I'd killed it - Fantastic! Alux, Hub, thanks for those links - I'll have a look tomorrow - too sleepy now. I'd been thinking about buying a pack of those Little Ewe ones from The Nappy Lady - but I'd rather just buy one!

Hub - it's a long story re my washing machine - due to a lack of communication at the distributor's along with interference by dp. A very brief synopsis - they sent the wrong machine - still a Miele, but one with only 1400rpm spin and 5kg capacity - I wanted 1600 spin and 6kg capacity. Didn't notice until it was plumbed in, so it's sat in my kitchen until the replacement arrives next week. So that'll be over 4 weeks I think with no machine I can't believe you're asking q's about thread count - it's exactly what I'd've been asking! I want to know about gsm (grams per sq metre) though too. I assume a weightier muslin will absorb more moisture? Or does gsm only apply to terry as muslin is too lightweight. I guess this might be answered when I look at those links tomorrow.

BTW, I'm sure I saw a pack of 24 70cm muslin squares for about £14 on the Little Lamb website? Again I'll have a look tomorrow. I would prefer to just buy the muslin and make my own though, even at that price.

i think that a 60degree wash kills everything, so it may be ok to use the same squares for the different jobs between washes. i just tend to use them as makeshift breastpads at night and vomit catchers.

Morning nappy nuts. cp: Shame about the washing machine. Hope 1600 / 6 arrives soon and you will be delighted.

I don't think the Little Lamb brand is the same as Little Ewe, FWIW.

Hark at us ! Thread count and absorbency. We're nuts I tell ya.

Thanks misdee too. OFF THOSE FAGS.

Being dragged to Bister Village Outlet Shopping Centre Hell thingy this AM. Good Petit Bateau shop there apparently and I am reliably informed by a neighbour who worked in the industry for 26 years that their stuff doesn't shrink as much and lasts longer than other brands... not sure how important that is considering baby will outgrow any clothes in 2 seconds flat.

i havent smoked in days (weds i had one) ffs. when i say i smoke occasioanlly i literally mean the odd one every few months. during very stressful times like when Peter was called for transpalnt i actually had a whole 10 pack over the course of the week. i think in similar situations most people would've had a large drink to steady their nerves, i was shaking so much it was unbelivable. but i dont drink, we dont keep alcohol in the house as peter cant drink due to meds, i dont think its fair to keep alcohol in the house.

sorry hub2dee, am rather stressed atm. didnt mean to snap this morning.

No worries, luckily I was out all day so not in the least bit upset by your (mini) snap. I know stuff is super hard. Wouldn't like to see someone I 'like' from MN, doing themselves even the teensiest harm. Take care.

Hi Hub - your can get a pack of 24 70x70cm muslin squares here at link{http://www.littlelamb.co.uk/itemlist.php?clasrefr=products\little lamb}, they also do half price nappy kits if you buy direct from them.

Misdee - I wish my dp would do like he promised when I got my BFP - he said he'd stop drinking along with me for the duration. Hmmm. That lasted literally an hour - just time for him to go to Majestic and load up the fridge (and it's been very attractively stocked ever since) and celebrate. I'd LOVE a few lagers or glasses wine, or even a pink gin especially now in this weather whilst sitting in the garden....

damn it

Thanks cp... not sure these are Little Ewe, and not sure I either give a damn or it matters a jot.

Are you getting a pile of Little Lamb nappies then ? What have you decided for your sproglet, nappy wise ?

I e-mailed Erica at Simon's Custom Cloth in the States and despite saying 'sold out' on her instock products, she has advised she can make nappies / wraps up if I want any. She has an awesome selection of fabrics / prints.

I will liaise with the Nappy Lady to understand what our best options may be for newborn and beyond... but Erica's nappies and wraps look fab. Oh, and mustn't forget the Starbunz wraps either. ... trying to decide if it's plainly ridiculous to get pretty nappies when they will be covered up by a wrap !!!

Hmm....

Hey, does anyone speak nappyease ? Can't understand the options / implications / preferences in this mysterious nappy description / selection text here ... Any nappy geniuses care to comment on what might be best (or indeed what all these damned options mean ???)

ok... was quite bemused by this thread previously but have now decided to have a go at a nappy.
Just bought 2 fuzzibunz nappies and they are FAB! I wish I had got some before, because they are the best nappies I ever tried.

BUT, at around £10 a pop quite expensive so thought I might make my own.

Anyone done a pocket nappy? Any tips for me?
Have had a look at the links on here already... but where is the BEST place for PUL material? (am wanting funky patterns!)

Just thought I would add that I have just received some samples of PUL from UKfabric. It looks like the kind that wraps are made from. Has anyone tried this stuff. It only cost 4.99 a metre, but the colours are ghastly, v.bright! COuld cover it with a nice cloth though?
I need to learn to sew better before I can make nappies. Can anyone recommend a good book, website??

I forgot about this thread (how could I??) It seemed to drop off my "Threads I'm On" jolly quickly.

Hub - this is an area I know absolutley nothing about and sadly I just don't know which way to turn. I have in my possession 2 x Tot's Bots which are very sweet - but like you (and like I have said to someone at The Nappy Lady) - what's the point of a really cut fluffy nappy when it's covered by a wrap? Those wraps on your links are adorable aren't they? but again, apart from in the very height of summer, when will you see those?? Did Erica give you a price for the wraps by the way?

Also I think the Tot's might be a bit bulky between the legs? I'm dying to try out the absorbancy of different muslins and will get right onto it as soon as I have my new washing machine, which I have been told today is coming on Wednesday.....

Starlover - which nappies have you compared the Fuzzibun with? Why do you like it so much?

Masiemog - Let us know if you come across any fab websites for sewing your own!

hub, I looked at that nappy site. It is a bit aargh! I can translate a bit. You probably know
that a snap is a popper?

Preshrunk hemp/cotton fleece - I'm not sure about cotton fleece, but hemp shrinks by up to a third, after washing.
Sherpa is like a velvety towelling, instead of loops it has a kind of short soft pile.
Look at this site for pictures of these peculiar American fabrics
The soaker is a pad made of layers of cloth, it is either sewn into the nappy or is like a tongue that is only sewn at one end so it can be dried hanging out of the nappy - like tots.
I reckon the snap in soaker is like a poppered booster - like in motherease nappies.
A doubler is American for a booster.
That's all I know.
Did you read the bit about her little boy that died on site info?? Sad. That must be the baby pictured with the nasal tube thing?