Two questions about making mcns...

[MrsBeee]

Firstly, what difference does it make if the leg seams roll in or out? I've been making my nappies using the Darling Diapers pattern, with legs rolling inwards. I think this looks nice and tidy :) but I have a friend that recently went to the fairy fabrics nappy making class and they made their nappies with legs rolling outwards. What advantages/disadvantages does each way have???

Secondly, if you're doing a cotton/minky splice, should you use an iron on interface or something on the cotton panel to give it a bit more stiffness?? I've made a couple with a front cotton panel and I'm finding that sometimes the front slumps down a bit because the cotton's not stiff enough (though could this also be because they're a little bit big around her waist still?)...

Help please!!!! :xmas:

[jimmysmummy]

Regarding the rolling legs, the idea is to ensure that the area around the legs has no natural fabric on it, to minimise the risk of wetness wicking onto clothing.
So, if you are making a cotton outer nappy, you would use some kind of man made inner (fleece or suedecloth) and have the legs rolling OUT so that some of the poly fabric is touching the legs, and if you have a natural inner and poly outer, you make the legs roll IN.

I generally use minky or PUL outer with poly inners and roll the legs in just because it looks nicer.

As for the cotton/minky splice, so far I haven't had any problems. Make sure that you are using quilter's cotton and not just any old cotton from the general fabric section as QC is thicker, stiffer and more durable.
Another thing you could do is to cut a whole body layer of minky and then attach the cotton part to that, instead of cutting different pieces out and sewing them together to make one body layer.

Hoep this helps. I love nappy making! Except I had a disaster tonight...I was trimming the seam allowance on a gorgeous minky PUL tie die and accidentally snipped a hole in the fabric! Gah!

[peanutbutter&jelly]

First question... no idea! I've never really debated the legs rolling in vs out thing, but if you're not having problems now, I wouldn't worry about it ;)

And second question.. minky/cotton splicing... Are you doing front fastenings or hip or side fasteners?? For side snappers (in my case), elastic at the front makes all the difference in not drooping! Front/hip's are different though, then I'd say its just that they're a little big for her... I would have thought that between the cotton, PUL/fleece and inner it would be enough to prevent that :)

[babygiggle]

I can't help with the leg elastic bit, but with the cotton/minky splice thing, are you joining the cotton and the minky together or are you sewing the cotton over the top of the minky layer?

[MrsBeee]

Regarding the rolling legs, the idea is to ensure that the area around the legs has no natural fabric on it, to minimise the risk of wetness wicking onto clothing.

Another thing you could do is to cut a whole body layer of minky and then attach the cotton part to that, instead of cutting different pieces out and sewing them together to make one body layer.

Except I had a disaster tonight...I was trimming the seam allowance on a gorgeous minky PUL tie die and accidentally snipped a hole in the fabric! Gah!
Thanks, that makes good sense. Will keep it in mind if I notice my splices start wicking I might have to do the rolling out thing.

And the reason I do the splices (and yes, quilters cotton :))is to make my minky go further :laughing:, so making a whole panel and then putting the cotton over it would kind of defeat the purpose!!

Oh no!!! How about doing an applique of a littlle something over it to disguise it?? ;)



Are you doing front fastenings or hip or side fasteners?? For side snappers (in my case), elastic at the front makes all the difference in not drooping! Front/hip's are different though, then I'd say its just that they're a little big for her... I would have thought that between the cotton, PUL/fleece and inner it would be enough to prevent that :)
They're side snaps. And I do my opening for turning through at the front, I dont think I'm talented enough to do front elastic AND opening! Though I suppose I could turn through the wing at the back... Hmm, something else to think about. What does it look like with elastic at the front of a ss??
I think the weight range for the size I'm making is actually bigger than she is at the moment, but I have some nappies made by a WAHM business on the same pattern/size and they fit quite well. However, they are full minky, not cotton, which is why I thought maybe it wasn't stiff enough. But it could just be my dodgy sewing!!:p

[MrsBeee]

I can't help with the leg elastic bit, but with the cotton/minky splice thing, are you joining the cotton and the minky together or are you sewing the cotton over the top of the minky layer?
Joining them together - trying to save money on the minky :D

[babygiggle]

The cotton should sit better when sewn over the top of the minky :)

[peanutbutter&jelly]

Not the greatest photo, but that's with elastic in the front, back and legs obviously :) My own pattern, the second testing round for fit... needed to be a little higher at the back!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=167977&id=509179390&l=e9ea048497

[jimmysmummy]

Haha, I do the splicing to save minky, too! I find the best way (ie to minimise wicking) is to put my cotton panels at the top and bottom of the nappy only, never around the legs. I never have any problem with the fabric sagging.

I always close through one of the back wings- sometimes with front elastic, sometimes not. Usually if it's just a plain PUL or minky nappy I will use front elastic but if it has a cotton panel I won't because I think the cotton looks neater if it's not bunched up. But if you are having problems with your cotton sagging, it would be worth trying some front elastic.

[MrsBeee]

Thanks for all the tips guys, will try some of these, and maybe just time will help as she grows :)
I'm def going to try closing through the back wing though, as I find it difficult to top stitch the front neatly while closing at the same time, and it's the bit you're always looking at!!! :laughing:

[Anyanka]

how do you make your own. And is there a pattern you can buy to start making your own. And where from??

Anyanka