Questions about PUL

[newdsmomma]

I can't seem to sell my girly trainers to fund new trainers for my boy, so I've started playing with sewing my own. I downloaded a couple free patterns and have been sewing by trial and error (lots of error!), so I thought I'd come to you ladies for advice:

1. When folks add PUL only in the wetzone on knit/cotton outers, how exactly do they do that?
I'm using FOE and have some scraps of PUL that I want to put to use, but don't know the best way to add it to soakers to minimize leaking. I know it won't be as waterproof as an entire PUL outer, but how do folks keep down the leaking/wicking?
Do they just sew a PUL backing on the soaker shape? Do they sew the PUL to the actual cotton outer? Does the colored part of the pul face the inside of the outside material or the opposite?

2. I'm considering buying the Tinkle Time pattern (after lots of trial and error and adapting the freebies I have with varying degrees of success), but don't really understand how wings of knit without PUL don't wick?
I love the idea of the stretchiness (the trainers I've made with PUL all the way around are a little tough for my little one to get on and off himself since they don't stretch as much), but can't understand how the inner absorbant layer doesn't wick right onto the wings.

3. How exactly does one apply FOE and is there a formula for how much to use at the waist and legs based on your child's measurements?
I've made some converted prefold trainers that are working well, but I ruined several pieces of FOE and a couple prefolds before hitting on something I can't find explained anywhere. When using FOE with all the layers of prefolds, it seems that you can't sew over the FOE while it is stretched or it doesn't gather much (all the instructions I could find said to sew while stretching). I found that instead, I need to stretch the foe on the fabric edge, hold tightly to the fabric encased in foe a couple inches out, then release the FOE, and sew over the already gathered fabric without letting it slip out of the FOE (which isn't easy!). Is this right? Is there another way?

Sorry for how long this is, but your advice and expertise will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Rainshine Designs]

Let's see if I can help:

For your first question, I really don't think adding a partial layer of PUL does much to prevent leakage, especially with a cotton knit outer...the liquid just flows over the edge of the PUL and to the outside of the trainer.

When I make the TTTs, I use a polyester for the side panels for just that reason. However, the idea of trainers is that they are changed as soon as they're wet so there isn't really much time for wicking (unless it's a night trainer of course)

As for applying the FOE, I do it like this...cut the length of FOE, sew a seam joining the two ends and then for the waist I divide in four with pins and stretch equally all around and sew with a 3 step zigzag as I stretch. For the legs I do the same but I stretch and pin in place, placing a bit more stretch in the "cheek" area to create a bit of a cup in that area, then sew, removing the pins as I go.

As for the amount of FOE to use, I think I remember something that suggests using your child's measurement and subtracting an inch but I can't guarantee that...I have measurements that I figured out a few years ago and just go with those.

[newdsmomma]

Thanks so much for the tips! I've been sewing away and have succeeded with a few cute trainers, but also have a few of the initial attempts piled up awaiting the seam ripper!

I've tried doing what you suggest, Rainshine Designs, joining the end of the FOE first and then stretching around the legs and waist. I've also tried keeping the FOE one straight piece and stretching and sewing (after heat sealing the ends) and then doing a tight zigzag/satin stitch over the end to finish and secure the end of the FOE. I've had both successes and failures with both methods! I guess it's just lots more practice I need.

I have another question about FOE. Where's the best place to good a good kind? I bought some of the packages at JoAnnes (Babyville, I think?) and it seemed pretty solid. It even survived being removed with a seam ripper and was in great shape so I could reapply it. I don't really know how it washes yet though. I also have a bunch I bought from diapersewingsupplies.com, which I thought would be top quality stuff for diaper making. It is the plush type and looks the same as the JoAnn's, but if feels thinner, snags really easily, and was in shreds after meeting my best friend, the seam ripper. It might be that it is really better stuff, but for this amateur sewer, it was a lot more delicate than the other. Thoughts or advice anyone?

[newdsmomma]

Still wondering if anyone has ideas about the best kind of plush FOE and where to get it? Anyone?

I'm getting a little better and getting more and more excited about cranking out trainers, so please tell me where to buy my FOE!!!

The stitches and stretch are not so even on some, but here's what I've managed so far:


And my favorite is the Sesame Street one. I had appliqued these infant prefolds when my son was born, but he never got to wear them, so I just serged them together and voila! Cookie on his front and Elmo on his tush!