When you have a hidden layer of PUL....

[Shanaynay]

......can you then use anything as the outer?

Can I just go into Spotlight and pick anything that takes my fancy?

Ie. those velvetey fabrics, or satin, or quilting fabrics?

Sorry to innundate this section lately,:o but I'm very new to this but very keen :D
(Couldn't even sew a straight line two months ago!)

[Two Little Buggalugs]

Hi Phineas,

Have you tried the NC site? I've been trying to figure out how to do this too.

From what I can gather (keeping in mind I'm still to try any of this!) if you overlock the three layers together (liner, hidden PUL and whatever outer you choose) it's fine. Or if you use FOE over the three layers to join them, that is also fine.

But, if you sew them together and turn them, this puts the seam allowance of the outer fabric between the lining and hidden layers. This gives the potential for wicking, especially if it's an AIO, less likely with an AI2, but still no guarantees.

Does that help? Also some fabrics, like velvet, may be harder to sew with.

[Zada]

im thinking cotton will wick. Ive only always used fleece to act as extra waterproof of the pul wicks KWIM?

[Kells]

I made a cover yesterday using FOE and just some quilting fabric cotton (they have such GORGEOUS prints!). I had it on DD with a BBH for a 4 hour nap and it wicked a little, but on closer inspection was in a spot where I'd just sewed the elastic and not the fabric :o *ahem* ...very new to this..(and a bit out of my league I'm thinking :D )

But I so want to make a pocket nappy using the cotton outer!! I'm going to give it a go over the w/end and let you know how it goes.

With the FOE joining them together, could you join the PUL and outer layer fabric with this, then make the pocket as usual by sewing this to the inner? :confused:

I'm confused. Sorry for the ramble......

[Zada]

im confused :laughing:

[Kells]

Ok, will try and clarify :o ... It's really hard cos I usually talk with my hands and I cant do that online!

If say, I sewed together PUL and cotton for an outer, using FOE, eg - I'd basically have a cover for a fitted with that, - THEN, if I used that to make a pocket nappy by joining it to some fleece in the usual way, would it work? Or wick where my sewing holes are??

God, I'm just going to have to try it and get back to you :D

I have confused myself so much trying to explain it my head hurts :laughing:

[Zada]

it would work if u sewed all 3 layers together edged with FOE. Not if u just put FOE around the pul & outer then sewed the inner on KWIM?

[Two Little Buggalugs]

Maybe... I guess the cotton isn't touching the inner - it's got foe and the hidden pul between it. But how would you attach it? You could iron the seam allowance under and stitch it straight to the other layers. But if you try and stitch and turn it to the other layers, sewing it to the foe doesn't give much seam allowance. Hmm, although the other way you'd still want to stitch it to the foe without a seam allowance otherwise the stitching is joining it to your cotton outer. I'm not sure how durable it would be without a bigger seam allowance?

Is this making sense?

OK, why don't you foe them all together except at the top for the pocket entrance. Then, if you can manouvre it under the machine (or hand stitch) the last bits separately...?

[Kells]

OMG I didnt think of that! Well done Zada!! :smiliedance:

Hmm...now I'm gonna have to change the way I sew my nappies. I could be back with a further 60 questions! :laughing:

Thanks heaps :thumbsup:

Sorry Phineas about the hijack....;)

[Kells]

Maybe... I guess the cotton isn't touching the inner - it's got foe and the hidden pul between it. But how would you attach it? You could iron the seam allowance under and stitch it straight to the other layers. But if you try and stitch and turn it to the other layers, sewing it to the foe doesn't give much seam allowance. Hmm, although the other way you'd still want to stitch it to the foe without a seam allowance otherwise the stitching is joining it to your cotton outer. I'm not sure how durable it would be without a bigger seam allowance?

Is this making sense?

OK, why don't you foe them all together except at the top for the pocket entrance. Then, if you can manouvre it under the machine (or hand stitch) the last bits separately...?


Thanks Nix! We posted at the same time. I think that's what I'm going to try - all 3 with the FOE.

I just hope my machine doesnt bugger up cos it's too thick.

Thanks guys. :)

[bekkyboo]

Zoe, the green nappy that you got has the hidden PUL, and i have never ever had an issue with leaks or wicking with my hidden layers.... Ive used fleece, flannel, cottons - the list goes on... The only nappy that has a leg leak issue was before i learnt not to use pins....

Might be the difference in PUL's as well tho...

[shanz]

I have made a pocket that had cotton outer, hidden PUL ans Anti Pill polar fleece inner and can easily go 4 hours without wicking.

[Kells]

Shanz and bekkyboo - how did you join it together? Did you just sew the seams and turn inside out like a GK style pocket nappy?

[Shanaynay]

That's what I've been doing with fleece pockts, just sewing them inside out. No probs yet, but would there be probs with wicking since it's all fleece?

So you're saying if I did the same with a fleece inner, cotton outer and hidden PUL, I'd prob have some wicking probs?

Bek, I'll have a closer look - btw Evie wore it this morning and it performed brilliantly :smiliedance:

[bekkyboo]

Kells, i havent seen a GK, so i cant really say.... I put the outer fabric and the liner together and the PUL on top of the outer iykim??? and then just sew as normal, treating the PUL and outer as one...

As soon as i get a overlocker, ill just overlock the whole nappy...

Zoe, i have used a fleece inner, pul and a cotton outer, and havent had wicking.... So dunno ... It might be in the thickness or suitablity in the PUL for hiding...

[Shanaynay]

Bek I think your nappy and a GK are sewn the same, except GK only has the PUL, it's not hidden iykwim. So just pul sewn to suedecloth, turned inside out.

Maybe stuff only wcks if the insert is saturated? :confused:

[bekkyboo]

Nope, G wears them overnight without issue...

Meh - maybe im just special ;)

[Kells]

Thanks guys. :hugs:

Bek - the way you described how you sew is the way I meant :thumbsup:

Phineas - I think you understand me! :D


All this curiosity is killing me - I'm going to go make one now to see if it works.

Hmm...I may need to bump up my quantities on the PUL and suedecloth co-op - there could be a few practice runs!! :laughing:

[Shanaynay]

Maybe you are :p

That pink nappy, Zara INSISTED on wearing last night, even though I told her it was Evie's :rolleyes: (She still wears a nappy at night).

Chucked a hemparoo in it and it went great :smiliedance:

[bekkyboo]

Yeah, ive found that the water resistant fabric is still awesome at night... Makes for a lot better breathing nappy as well :)

If you look at the PUL i use, its thicker... Ive been looking at the peapods that i have and no wonder it leaks, it just doesnt seem to have the strength that mine do... Mine may thicker and not as good looking - but when its hidden and does an awesome job, who cares !!!

[HoopDeeDoo]

I've used cotton on the outside with a hidden layer of PUL with no problems, sewn inside out, the regular way you would sew any other pocket. No wicking, they are actually better than the cotton PUL prints I have. They have just faded a lot because the quality isn't great but they are cheap sesame street fabrics, and not made to be washed on hot

[theycallmemum]

What is FOE?

My goodness this nappy sewing caper is difficult with all the water proofing stuff! I am actually a really good sewer (could whip you up a dress do probs) but there is so much to think about, where to put elastic etc. My nappies look great, well finished etc but I didn't get them right with the elastic around the legs and if he wets too much the clothing gets wet too. ARGH!!

[Two Little Buggalugs]

What is FOE?

My goodness this nappy sewing caper is difficult with all the water proofing stuff! I am actually a really good sewer (could whip you up a dress do probs) but there is so much to think about, where to put elastic etc. My nappies look great, well finished etc but I didn't get them right with the elastic around the legs and if he wets too much the clothing gets wet too. ARGH!!

:laughing: I know! I can follow a pattern, even alter stuff or make my own simple pattern and am really anal about finishing it all neatly etc.

But trying to get my head around wicking problems and what layer goes where is daunting!

FOE is fold over elastic. You can get it from Spotlight but apparantly it's not as good as the stuff you'd get from the nappy supply places. :wave:

[theycallmemum]

:laughing: I know! I can follow a pattern, even alter stuff or make my own simple pattern and am really anal about finishing it all neatly etc.

But trying to get my head around wicking problems and what layer goes where is daunting!

FOE is fold over elastic. You can get it from Spotlight but apparantly it's not as good as the stuff you'd get from the nappy supply places. :wave:

I tell you what, no wonder people just BUY cloth nappies! I thought they were rediculously expensive but when you take into account that if you pick a well reputed brand you are guaranteed a great nappy and you didn't sit there all day making the thing that may or may not work. I don't actually think there is much profit at all in these things for the WAHM's, they must really love making them, they are sooo labour intensive.

Think I might just buy a few :thumbsup:

[M&M'sMummy]

There was a discussion about theis with some WAH mums and most of them said they get about $10 an hour! I think thatd be about right with the cost of all the fabrics needed to make one nappy!

Also, I wouldn't get the FOE from spotlight, Its the same stuff used in fitted sheets and PVC pilchers, Really harsh. Greenbeans have awesome soft stuff in colours.


Can you top stitch with hidden PUL, Would it wick out the stitching holes do ya think??

[bekkyboo]

Yep, it can be really time consuming, and i know i make bugg3r all from them.... and there is alot more to it than just the cost of making the nappies, there are insurances and such too... not a great deal of money to be made.

M&M, im not sure... as Em said, she and i have never had a problem doing the PUL hidden with wicking and such... so i cant even really think where it is coming out - because mine have never done it.

[Shanaynay]

Yup, you get cr@p all from making nappies!

They take aaaaages too (altho I'm new to sewing so I prob take twice as long as all the WAHMs).

The only way you'd make a decent amount is to charge the normal amount per nappy $25-$33 or so, but use cr@p cheap materials - which afaik no one does (thank god!)


Sewing FOE looks hard - is it? It's so narrow.....

[Zada]

it takes me about 1/2 hr max to do a pocket nappy(not inc cutting out), I charge $15 each.

[bekkyboo]

same here Dani, although when i get these insurance quotes back i might not have a choice but to increase...

[Zada]

yep i dont have a proper site yet just on buy for baby, but when i do ill have to look into all that:yes:

[Shanaynay]

What is the insurance for? Is it postal insurance incase stuff gets lost in the post? Or something else?

[bekkyboo]

Product liability insurance, you need it when you set up the business incase someone decides to sue you over your product... At the moment i am struggling to find someone who will... and it might kill it all together.

[Kells]

:D Right.....so I have been struggling to get my layers to stay together and have unpicked once, and yelled at my sewing machine about 20 times,..........and you guys make them to SELL!!??!! :banghead:

If I had realised that I would've just placed an order :laughing:

BTW - I still havent finished it. Life is just getting in the way this w/end! :shame:

[theycallmemum]

Product liability insurance, you need it when you set up the business incase someone decides to sue you over your product... At the moment i am struggling to find someone who will... and it might kill it all together.

Who do the other WAHM sellers use? Honestly, I don't think I would bother with insurance unless you are going to be a really big player. I asked dh whose whole company is business development and he agreed, it would cost you more than it's worth and the chance of being sued would be really low. What are they going to sue you over? Nappy rash or a pin left in a nappy, neither would get far in court.

[bekkyboo]

True, but the chance of loosing everything over a nappy - well we arent sure we want to risk our livelyhood just for me to make some money.

To set up the business i need to get register my business name ($100+), get the site (not too much with contacts) and i honestly didnt think of getting insurance till talking with another WAHM mum, and she gave me this step by step set up guide from lesiely at CK, and this is what she does recommend. SOme insurance companies might not even touch me, as its baby related...

Im still in discussions with some other WAHM's to see what they do, so yeah, hopefully soon i can get it going.

[veve]

I asked dh whose whole company is business development and he agreed, it would cost you more than it's worth and the chance of being sued would be really low. What are they going to sue you over? Nappy rash or a pin left in a nappy, neither would get far in court.

well .. I just dont know about that ... I think it would GREATLY depend on the injury that occurred... as a cloth user - and someone who is friends with several WAHMs I would say that insurance is pretty damn important ..

just for one example - I had a snap fall off a nappy - that snap .. if in a cot .. is a choking hazard ... unless you have some disclaimer on that nappy - you could be in trouble ... these days we live in a very litigious (sp?) world ... and selling to the gereral public you just never know ..

xx
Jen

[bekkyboo]

Thats right Jen.... For J and I, we decided that, if insurance is too much - its not worth the risk. We could loose everything...

So when you think that prices are quite high for a nappy, there is a very good reason behind it - and i bet it isnt "lets make huge profits"

[Shanaynay]

Wow that's very true and very scary :eek:
Not likely to happen, but if a baby did choke on a loose snap and died - well there goes everything :eek:

So I wonder if all WAHM's have insurance or do they just take a gamble?? If most have it, there must be a company that does it for a reasonable price Bekky, hopefully you can find them :fingerscrossed:

[Zada]

that would be scary come to think of it:yes: something i never even thought about

[Shanaynay]

Or what if a certain material you were using was later found be be toxic and cause infertility or something :eek:

So scary.... sometimes the world we live in sux - people sue people for everything :thumbsdown: