Showing posts with label wool soakers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wool soakers. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The Many Faces of Wool Diaper Covers

This month Etsy Cloth Diaper Team is promoting Wonderful, Wonderful Wool and giving away Five Wool Soakers to one Lucky Winner! Enter our giveaway here:

http://etsyclothdiapers.blogspot.com/2012/03/march-team-promotional-giveaway-prize.html


Aside from the wool diaper covers that have actual faces, as in monster butts and sock monkeys, there are many styles of wool covers to try. They vary in cost, in care, and in construction.


COST


1) The most economical wool covers to buy and to make would be repurposed wool covers. These wool covers are made by cutting up soft wool sweaters and turning them into cloth diaper covers. Any style cover can be made with a repurposed sweater: longies, sorties, soakers, and wraps. These can be gorgeous because of the patterns in the wool or because of the adorable embellishments added. You can purchase a basic repurposed wool soaker very inexpensively for $8-12, and embellished ones in the $15-20 range. Obviously you may be able to find these for more or less expensive, these are averages. If you can sew, a wool sweater can net you 2-3 diaper covers, depending on the size of the cover needed and the size of the wool sweater. Wool diaper cover sewing tutorials are widely available on the Internet.


2) A more expensive option in wool covers is hand-knit covers. These vary greatly in price because they also come in soaker, shorties, and longies styles and require differing amounts of wool, time, and expertise. They can also be knitted from various types of wool: lambswool, merino wool, wool alpaca blends, organic and natural wools. All of these elements affect the price. Hand-Knit covers usually start at around $20 and can be more than $75 (for longies). Again, these prices are averages. If you know how to knit, there are also free soaker knitting patterns on the Internet and good quality wool can be purchased inexpensively if found on sale.


3) A third type of wool cover is made from Wool Interlock. Wool interlock is also quite pricey. The benefits of wool interlock are trimness and some wool interlock covers are machine washable. There are different types of wool interlock. There is 100% wool, wool Lycra blend, and washable wool. Opinions on which of these is best differ in the cloth diapering community.


CARE


1) Most wool covers are hand wash and dry. The reason for this is that heat and agitation causes wool to felt and shrink. This process often makes the cover unusable. If you have ever shrunk a favorite wool sweater by mistake, you know what I mean! In general, wool covers should be gently washed in warm water with a lanolin enriched wool wash or washed and then lanolized afterward.


Despite the hand-washing, wool covers are easy to care for because they do not have to be washed after every use! Depending on your wool, and the number of covers you use, a wool cover can be washed as infrequently as every 2-4 weeks. If the cover becomes soiled, often a damp cloth is all that is needed to remove a small amount of poopy residue. Wool covers should be washed and lanolized only when they become smelly or are no longer waterproof. The smell test should be done after the cover has had a chance to air dry, not directly after removing from the child.


2) Some wool diaper covers have be pre-felted. This means that they have been shrunk to where they should not shrink anymore and can be washed in a washing machine. A word of warning: If you are wanting to prefelt wool to make your own, it often takes more than one washing to achieve maximum shrinkage.


As I mentioned before, some types of wool interlock are machine washable.


Here are some links from Etsy Cloth Diaper Team and team members to help with caring for your wool:


From Etsy Cloth Diaper Team
From Fancy Cloth Baby
From LayBebeLay
From Zany Zebra Designs


CONSTRUCTION


1) Wool Soakers: Wool soaker is an old fashioned term for a pull-on wool cover. This can be either repurposed wool or hand-knit. These are often embellished on the backside. Some have elastic or drawstrings in the waist, other do not. Often times they have an extra soaker layer sewn into the wet zone. Repurposed soakers of this kind provide excellent protection for heavy wetters. I never woke to another pee puddle in the crib after I started using wool covers.


2) Wool Shorties and Longies: These are shorts or pants either hand-knit in wool or sewn from repurposed wool sweaters. They usually have elastic in the waist or a drawstring, but some have neither. Many repurposed wool shorties and longies also have an extra soaker layer sewn in.


3) Wool Wraps: These are simply wool covers which are sewn or knitted in the same style as a PUL waterproof diaper cover. They usually have snaps, but are sometimes left plain to be used with pins or a Snappi. You can occasionally find them with a velcro style closure. They come in both sizes and one-size styles.


This Week's Promotional Feature: Wool Wraps! 

The following feature article on Wool Diaper Wraps is contributed by Etsy Cloth Diaper team member Amy from MamaBearBabyWear. Check out her shop for wool wraps and lots of other great items! 

'Wool Diaper Wraps from Etsy Cloth Diaper Team' by ClothDiaperClub

Wool Wraps in Easter Egg Colors!

<><><> 
Sweet Striped Easte...


$27.60
MamaBear One Size W...


$22.00
cloth diaper cover ...


$25.00
MamaBear BabyWear O...


$18.00
Thick Wool Custom W...


$36.00
Wool Fleece Diaper ...


$21.00
MEDIUM "Try Me...


$25.00
Try Cloth Diapering...


$32.95
Wool Fleece Diaper ...


$21.00
FREE SHIPPING - Han...


$24.00
MamaBear One Size W...


$22.00
cloth diaper cover ...


$25.00


Wool diaper covers have been around for hundreds of years, but are only now regaining in popularity as more people become concerned with the environmental and financial impacts of disposable diapering.

Wool is a renewable, and healthy alternative to plastic or PUL diaper covers. Wool breathes great keeping baby cool and dry and preventing diaper rash. When cared for properly (occasional lanolizing and gentle washing) it is a great moisture barrier since it is able to absorb up to 40% of its weight in water before feeling wet. High performance athletes have chosen wool because of it's great temperature and moisture regulation properties.

Wool diaper covers do NOT need to be washed every time they are used. The natural properties of wool prevent odors and bacterial growth. They only need to be washed every week or two or when they are soiled. Simply hang damp covers to dry and use them again! The lanolin in wool neutralizes urine leaving a fresh-smelling, leak-resistant cover time and again.

Wash in cool to warm water with a detergent made for wool. Every second or third washing you should add a dime-sized amount of all natural Lanolin (you can use Lansinoh or PureLan if you have it) or a Lanolin product made specifically for wool such as MamaBear Wool Wash or Eucalan.

The best thing about wool wraps is they enable you to use ANYTHING as a diaper, save money by laying in soft absorbent dishtowels, folded receiving blankets, old t-shirts, any absorbent material you have on hand! Snap, velcro, or pin the cover and and voila! The cover holds the soaker in place.

Because MamaBear covers are one-size fits all you could potentially spend less than $100 on MamaBear wool wraps and take care of all of your little one's diapering needs using soaker materials from around your house! With care these covers have been used on two or even three babies, tripling your savings!

All MamaBear wool items are pre-felted and then washed and lanolized upon completion so that when you get them they are ready for your BabyBear to wear right away.



Don't forget to enter our great March Wonderful, Wonderful Wool giveaway:


Monday, November 28, 2011

Meet the Team--Emilie from GotEmCovered

After reading what Emilie has to say about her shop and cloth diapering visit her Etsy shop to see her quality hand-crocheted wool diaper covers.

Where did you get the name for your shop?

I mostly make and sell cloth diaper covers and based on the idea that whatever your need, whether it is diaper covers, feminine cloth, or any other handmade items that I have it covered.

Is it big business or a hobby?

My craft started as a hobby to make one of a kind, custom fit diaper covers and items for my children and family, I found myself enjoying it so much that I wanted to continue crafting and sharing with others. Although it is a source of income, it is still a hobby for me. I put the same care and attention to every piece in my store as I would a gift for a family member.

Why do you like selling on Etsy?

I enjoy selling on Etsy because it is a community of craftspeople creating and sharing handcrafted goods.

How long have you been sewing and crocheting?

I learned the basics of both sewing and crocheting at an early age from my grandmother. But it was not until I later had my first son (5 years ago) that I really started doing both on a regular basis. Since then I have honed my skills and learned many new techniques. I really enjoy creating new sewing and crochet patterns to meet the needs of my family and clients.

What is your favorite thing to make at the moment?

I have currently learned a new technique to add designs onto my wool covers and I am really enjoying creating different themes and trying new ideas.

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about self/personal expression. I feel that everyone should feel the freedom of self through art, craft, music, personal belief or appearance. I believe everyone has a creative outlet and should feel open to the ability to share it with others

What is your favorite thing in your shop at the moment?

My favorite items in my shop currently is the one size wool snapping tester covers. They are made with the tunisian/afghan crochet stitch which mimics the look of a knit item, but has the density of a crochet item. this stitch has sometimes been referred to as 'bullet-proof" when it comes to wool diaper covers. I originally learned this technique specifically as a solution for my own sons night-time diapering. Since then I have been working and testing numerous designs to make a great fitting covers for a wide range of babies and toddlers. The current design is the result of years of work. It is a 2 part system that allows the rise to be adjusted, snaps along the waist for adjustment, and a contoured backside and thigh for a better fit. I still have these at a reduced price and offer a refund incentive for feedback given in the form an online survey. Although this design has proven to have a great fit and performance, I still appreciate more feedback to ensure that it is the best for my clients. I know that wool covers are an investment and I wanted to find way to make sure that it would be usable for the long term and for every unique child.

Who is your inspiration?

My grandmother is my inspiration. I remember as a child I was sure that she could make that my heart desired or fix anything that may have broken. She was a loving, caring, and generous woman to anyone she met.

Why is cloth diapering important to you?

Cloth diapering is important to me because of so many reasons, but name just a few: it is healthy and comfortable for your baby (any woman who uses disposable feminine pads may be able understand the discomfort a disposable could potentially bring), it is good for the environment, and it is good for the budget - I could not imagine having to pay the large and ongoing expense of disposable diapers especially in the tough time many are facing . I have learned inexpensive ways of cloth diapering and even took the flats hand washing challenge to support the idea of inexpensive cloth diapering. I am more than happy to help anyone get started or just answer questions in a pressure free, non judgemental environment. please feel free to contact me!

Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GotEmCovered?ref=pr_shop_more

Facebook/web Address: www.facebook.com/GotEmCovered

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Wool Covers from Baby Snickerdoodles



Heather from Baby Snickerdoodles makes wonderful wool diaper covers.  Learn more about them in this interview by Denise from Naps and Scraps...


Did you design this pattern for your wool covers yourself?
For longies, and this Skirtie, yes I did...but that is somewhat of a trick question :) I don't actually have a pattern I go to for them, just measurements I keep documented from my own experience with children/sizes. This leaves creative flexibility to be able to do different styles depending on the customers needs, and also broadens the possibilities for each upcycled sweater I use. For my wool soakers though, I love to use the "Katrina's pattern" most of the time.



What is unique about your product?
I know there are fantastic wool-cover makers out there, but I love that with Etsy, we can offer different options, ESPECIALLY when it comes to one-of-a-kind items! I really like being able to offer my longies in a "pants" style, so that they can be worn for warmth and cuteness, as well as functioning as a diaper cover...creating something useful for daily life, and making it affordable for families.


How did you get started making wool diaper covers?
My Boys were super-soakers, and were constantly waking up drenched, even with their pocket diapers STUFFED! I was about to throw the towel in on cloth diapering, when I found an online forum where other mamas explained their solutions to a super soaker...WOOL! :) 



I knew how to sew, so I bought a wool sweater at our local goodwill, and made all of my 3 boys longies out of it (it was and XXL, tee hee!). I was blown away at how well it worked! Dry bedding, even when their diapers were still drenched..the wool was an answer to my prayers! I shared my experience with family, friends, and online groups, and started getting many requests for orders. The rest is history!






What made you decide to sell on Etsy?
I had heard about Etsy from a friend, and got on to buy supplies for making gifts for my family for Christmas. When I started venturing out into WAHMhood, my customer base got too big to keep track of things via e-mail, I decided it was time to launch my own shop, and Etsy was the perfect fit!



I hope you enjoy checking out Baby Snickerdoodles yourself and looking at all her cute soakers and longies as well as the other fun stuff that Heather sews!

Friday, November 4, 2011

November!

'Turkeys & More!' by NorthernMom

Tune in for the November theme for the Etsyclothdiaper team. I've expanded this months theme to include Thanksgiving, pumpkins, fall colours and birds that may be migrating south for the winter!


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