Sewing PUL

[jessiehannan]

Do I have to use a special type of sewing needle for my machine when sewing it? I've got regular sharps and ballpoint needles. (My MIL bought me enough to make 4 diaper covers, and would kill me if I messed it up.) Also, I know there is a soft side and a waterproof side, which side faces baby's bottom? (soft or waterproof)
I've got a pattern I like already, and how many more do you think I will need?

[JulieBaby]

I dont know a thing about sewing, but as far as which side faces the babys bottom it is definately the soft side.

[Meredith]

The side that's shinier, that side will essentially face the baby's bottom, but you need to have a lining for it, usually a type of fleece or buttersuede, that actually touches the baby's skin. The softer, non-shiny side will face out.

I'm thinking you would use a ballpoint, but I've never actually sewn PUL, so I may be wrong.

[jessiehannan]

I'm not sure either. The sharp just makes a hole, but I'm think that the rounded tip of a ballpoint would make a bigger hole.

[Meredith]

Here's a few tips on sewing with PUL (http://www.celticclothswholesale.com/pages/TipsforSewingPULFabric.htm). It doesn't say what kind of needle to use, though.

[Meredith]

Here's an MDC thread (http://www.mothering.com/discussions/archive/index.php/t-69136.html) on it, too. One person recommends Schmetz Stretch needles, which I'll tell you I have worked with, and they're pretty good for knits.

[jessiehannan]

I don't have any of those needles, but I did buy the ball points to sew stretch knit fabrics.

[lilsea]

Definitely use a ballpoint. For my pul covers, I would do the pul on the inside (soft side toward baby) and put a nice fabric on the outside, like a minkee or something. You are making covers and not actual diapers, right?

You probably want to use another material inside if you want the pul on the outside.

Here are some pics of the pul covers I have made:





http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/all4my5/Otm/minkcover.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/all4my5/Otm/mc3.jpg

[jessiehannan]

Yes, it will be just covers. I have a whole bunch of flat folds and prefolds, and will be using those. I just want to pee proof them. :hugegrin:

[alejorge]

Those diapper covers are soo cute. I would love to make stuff like that. I am sure my DH would like it to!!!!!! save some money on disposable diappers!!!

[SingingMom]

I've made covers, but I put the PUL shiny side out and covered it with a cheap print fabric.

I like the plush fuzzy look, but it's too hot here most of the year to add another layer to my kid's bottom. I'm trying for the lightest cover I can make.

[Wildflower]

I've always put the shiny side facing in - if the fabric part is facing in, then won't that get wet? I like to reuse the covers several times, if possible, before throwing them in the wash. I even do contours with PUL shiny side facing the baby - so it's right against her skin on the hips. I was lining the inside with fleece at first when I started making them, but they were holding odors (and so I wasn't able to reuse the cover) so I stopped. Plus the single layer of PUL (I like the 1mm best) are so trim!

One thing I will just put out there, stay away from 1" fold-over elastic on covers! The elastic pills, snags and gets WET. I made all my first covers with that stuff and what a disappointment. It's better if you sew it on plush side down, but even then it still gets wet. The 5/8" stuff works way better for covers. JMO.

[jessiehannan]

I've always put the shiny side facing in - if the fabric part is facing in, then won't that get wet? I like to reuse the covers several times, if possible, before throwing them in the wash. I even do contours with PUL shiny side facing the baby - so it's right against her skin on the hips. I was lining the inside with fleece at first when I started making them, but they were holding odors (and so I wasn't able to reuse the cover) so I stopped. Plus the single layer of PUL (I like the 1mm best) are so trim!

One thing I will just put out there, stay away from 1" fold-over elastic on covers! The elastic pills, snags and gets WET. I made all my first covers with that stuff and what a disappointment. It's better if you sew it on plush side down, but even then it still gets wet. The 5/8" stuff works way better for covers. JMO.

That is what I was thinking. It is hot here most of the time, (we got up to 90 degrees last week!!!) I sew a casing and put the elastic in it instead of using fold over elastic. I can't get the fold over to cooperate. :)
I don't think that the shiny side in would be a problem, if there is a prefold or flatfold in bewtween her and the diaper cover.

[LivingLoveandLogic]

I like wool so much better than pul and even though wool sounds hot it isn't. The wool, like any natural fibre, allows air to flow through. If it gets a bit damp, you just lay them in the sun, they dry and smell fresh.

I found pul to be a pita to sew with, a walking foot or teflon foot helped, iirc.

[JulieBaby]

Oh, sorry, I am a butthead. I thought you were talking about diapers, not cover. LOL

[jessiehannan]

Oh, sorry, I am a butthead. I thought you were talking about diapers, not cover. LOL

It's ok. I've got plenty of diapers! (like 4 or 5 dozen, maybe 6 dozen!) A lot of people are using AIO's but I don't care for them.