Whew. Busy but FUN!

It's been a busy week around these parts. This week we got ready to begin preschool (which includes several projects I'll share next week), we ate some yummy chicken nuggets from you-know-where, we thoroughly enjoyed watching the U.S. in the Olympic games, I experienced technical difficulties with my blogsy app, and little boy blue had his 6 month check up.

He's clocking in at 22 pounds 12 ounces and 28 inches long. In case you're wondering he gets his stature from his father. He wears size 18 months clothing, and has for months now. If you are a cloth diapering mom and are wondering, he wears a Flip cover on its largest setting now, his Thirsties Duo size 2 fits on the middle setting, and we are still loving our Softbums Omni diapers. We still have some room to spare in the Softbums, and I even ordered an Echo to try this week. Little boy blue also loves rolling, scooting backwards, trying to lift up and rock, calling "da da" when he gets frustrated, and trying to get in his top teeth (his bottom 2 are already in).

We'll put this weekend to bed now. Happy Back-to-School for those of you in the South.

 

Reviews

Welcome to the first edition of Review Thursdays! I hope to review a new product each Thursday so check each week to see what's up next.

This week is the Thirsties Duo Wrap. For you non-cloth diapering folks out there, this is a waterproof diaper cover. You put it on over a cloth diaper or even a disposable if you have leaking problems.

Thirsties Duo Wrap size 1 and 2. Prince charming has used both sizes of this diaper cover and we have been pleased with both.

PROS:

Only 2 sizes to buy. No need for a new sized cover every few months.

The size 2 is bigger than most one-size covers on the market. If you are looking for a big cover this is pretty big.

Size 1 gets really small, smaller than most one-size covers. Great for new babies. I found out by trial and error that pairing this with a fitted diaper works good for newborns, much better in my opinion than just an insert inside. The extra elastic on the fitted contains more runny mess. ( I was also a cloth diapering novice at the time too though, and I question whether or not I was using enough absorption inside).

Wipeable on the inside, so you can reuse the cover several times until it gets soiled.

Gussetts keep all the mess in pretty well.

Price is great at around $13.

Cute color choices and cute prints.

Front flap that holds prefold or insert in place.

CONS:

Snap doesn't fit all that well, at least for us, but I'm really not a snap lover on any diaper. We got a much better fit on my rolly polly baby with the Aplix version. I also enjoy the ease of using Aplix fasteners.

Aplix (Velcro) gets a little worn. It has not affected its use, but after a few months does not look as nice as it once did.

Does stain, but I feel like it would sun-out if I attempted to.

No back flap, like flip has, but it hasn't affected the functionality at all really.

 

Overall, I liked the size 1. I had 5 Aplix and 2 snap. We outgrew them at around 15 pounds (this is less than the 18 pounds listed on the tag). I then was able to resell these and recoup much of my money. We liked them so much that we ordered another cover in size 2. I have not been disappointed in the size 2 either. It fits prince charming on the middle setting at around 22 pounds. This does only give us 1 more setting to go, but he is pretty round. In comparison to the flip cover which now fits completely open, we do at least still have some growing room in the Thirsties.

If looking for a low-cost cover, I would buy the Thirsties Duo Wrap again, in Aplix of course.

 

T-shirt Flip Style Prefold

Flip prefolds are my favorite insert to use in Prince Charming's cloth covers. They are a bit pricey however at $8 each. I did pick up some NWOT on eBay for $5 each and felt I got a good price, but I've learned to make them for just pennies!!!

All you need is a BIG t- shirt. I used my husbands 2XL undershirts he replaced with new ones I gave him for Christmas. Old and stained t- shirts are perfect for this.

1. Line up bottom edges of t-shirt and lay flat on table.

2. Cut the bottom hem off, making a straight cut. Measure up 14.5 inches and make another straight cut. You now have a large ring of fabric.

3. Fold this piece in half, folded edge to folded edge. This may take a little fiddling to get it to lay flat.

If adding extra absorbency layers you should mark this fold line with a pin. Now open the fold back to the right and find the center of the left side (between the pin and left edge). Now lay your extra layers on the center of the left side. Stitch down with zig zag stitch and fold back closed. If you want the extra layers to go the short way on the insert then center the end of them on the uncut edge before zig-zagging. This is what the zig zag stitches look like on the other side. - see further instructions below.

If adding a decorative outer layer you should do it at this point - see further instructions below.

4. Sew a straight stitch along the left open side.

5. Find the center on the short edge and measure 2 1/2 inches from the center on each side. This is where you should use a straight stitch to stitch through all layers and make the fold lines. Stitch parallel lines 5 inches apart from short edge to short edge. In the photo below there are 4 lines stitched so far, 2 on the long edges ( note if not using a decorative outer fabric you only need to sew 1 long side) and 2 fold lines. I'm using pins to mark the centers of all 4 sides.

6. Find center on long edge and measure 2 1/2 inches from the center on each side. This is where you should use a straight stitch to make fold lines. Stitch parallel lines 5 inches apart from long edge to long edge.

This photo should make it about as clear as mud.

7. Trim up raw edges making them even. Zig zag or serge both raw edges.

8. Fold and place in your cover. No prepping needed if you are using upcycled fabrics. If using new fabric, I like to wash and dry it five times prior to cutting and sewing.

Flip organic insert fully prepped measures 13.5 inches wide by 14.5 inches long

Mama's frugal insert

Cost: less than $1 for thread and cute decorative fabric

Front side

Back side

Folded the short way

Your finished width will vary based on the width of your t-shirt. This doesn't really matter, but the wider it is then the more absorbent it will be. You want to keep it at or less than 13.5 inches wide so that it folds nicely.

• Variations

Add a decorative outer layer. If you choose to add a cute outer fabric, choose one that is a knit jersey to match the t-shirt fabric. This keeps it comfy and cozy for baby. They really do feel soft. Cut the piece 1 inch wider and the same length as your folded t-shirt piece. Turn under 1/2 inch on both the right and left sides and pin on top of the folded t-shirt piece. Stitch both sides with a straight stitch. You now have 4 layers of t-shirt fabric and 1 layer of decorative fabric. Continue to step 5.

Add extra length. One way to add absorbency to this insert would be to cut the t-shirt at around 18.5 inches high instead of 14.5. Use your discretion to get the fold you want. This would work best on larger babies so that you don't get too much bulk added to the front. Use the insert in the same manner except fold over the extra length in the front or back as needed.


Add more layers of absorbency. Another way to add absorbency is to cut extra strips from the unused top portion and sleeves of the t-shirt and sew them into the center of the insert. These should measure 4.5 inches wide by 15 inches for use the long way or 4.5 inches by 13 inches for use the short way. Layer them on top of each other and zig zag the edges down in between the t-shirt layers (between the fold). Then stitch the first straight stitch holding all the layers together. You do not want the extra layers to reach into where you stitch the fold lines. It will add extra bulk and made it harder to fold. I've added up to about 4 extra layers and they do work well, but they also increase the drying time. The inserts with the extra layers are the last to dry in my diaper load and I usually just hang them over something to let them finish drying when everything is dry (I use 1 long high heat cycle). With these extra layers added, I feel like they work just as well as a Flip Organic Insert. Flips work really well, and never leak for me. I have no problems with the t-shirt flips made without extra layers either. They work great for normal daytime use, I just feel like a flip organic would hold a little more if put to the test.



If you use this tutorial, please let me know how you like it. I'd love to improve it based on your feedback.

Happy T-shirt Flipping!!