Finding fabrics

[Wildrosebella]

I went to do some research into fabrics seeing as I can't even tell you what fleece, PUL, etc even LOOK like let alone what they feel like =P So I went to Spotlight and said to the girl that I wanted to make some cloth nappies and I'm really new and wanted to see the kinds of fabrics for myself. She said that cloth nappy makers only use terry but I said no, they use other fabrics too like fleece, PUL, hemp, bamboo, etc. Out of all those I listed she had only ever heard of fleece! I said that PUL stood for Polyurethane Laminate and tried to explain what it was as it had been described to me but she had never heard of it and assured me they don't stock it and that Lincraft would definitely not stock it either. I don't get it... How can you work in a major fabric/craft store and not have heard of so many fabrics? If I can't get PUL from Spotlight or Lincraft, where on earth can I source it from?

[mum2miya]

You can source PUL at a number of online stores. Check the NC directory The ladies at Spotlight will have no idea what you are talking about

Donna

[Beanie]

Yes it is all pretty much online still. Many of the online WAHM stores sell PUL and hemp and bamboo, just not the real life ones...YET!!

[Wildrosebella]

Oh okay! Thanks for clearing that up, I'm a bit nervous that I may have wandered into something that's going to be too hard I'll go and start researching sites

[Lexi]

Hey Hun! [not stalking, promise! ]

Spotlight will stock lots of the stuff you need/can use;

- Cotton Flannel (inners, layers, outers)
- Cotton Wovens (outers)
- 100% or high-cotton content stretch knits, terry or velours (inners, layers, outers)
- Denims & Cords (outers)
- Micro-Fleece (liners) and Polar Fleece (covers)
- Rip-Stop Nylon (me, I pref. this to PUL in pocket nappies if one must use nasty plasticky stuff, as it's marginally more breathable, the microfleece inner, a layer of this then outer fleece like the SS's, they were made-of-awesome)
- Gutterman thread, yes, you must!

You won't be able to get Janome specific needles from Spotlight or Lincraft (bastards!) and the generic are awful, but try the sewing machine shop directly next to the Mt Gravatt Spotlight for these (can't remember name) - pretty sure they stock them. Grab some ballpoints, standard blue points (11's) and some 16's.

On-line you can buy Hemp, Bamboo, PUL (nasty stuff *cough*), Malden Mills Fleece, Wool (yay!) and other lovelies. Ummm, they're only as necessary as you think they are if that makes any kind of sense? You can make beautiful and functional nappies without, but it's totally up to you. I'd probably make my first few ones without, play around with it a bit until you get into the swing of it then splash out on the fancy, 'cause it's an expensive fabric to learn on - y'know?

You will need a pattern too - some freebies on-line and I have a stack of patterns here, most of which have never been cut into as Lolly was dry before I got my arse sat down to sew them for her.

Oh, and plus, we love our Honeyboys too much, and I am mega-slack for letting other people do the sewing work for us.

Can't remember the advertising policy of the moment, so I won't go listing names or links. But PM or email me or phone me or whatever and I can send you a list of links. Ummm, and I'll be down your way in 3 weekends time and can bring all of the above to show you. Or get thyself to a Brisbane meet-up, because the ladies are *lovely* and have much better stashes to flash then mine.

[Bek]

plus there's a nappy fabric store opening in Brisbane in the next month or two, so depending on how soon you need stuff...

[Mandy]

There is Bek? really? cool .....I'm soooo out of the loop, lol. Can't wait!

[Wildrosebella]

Yay Lexi!! *pounce-huggles* Thank you SO much for all that advice!! I'll be sure to keep the weekend of the 16th/17th free for when you come down I really hope to do a meet-up with the gals here, we're trying to organise one in June atm, maybe we should tee it up for the same weekend so you can come? Beats driving from whoop-whoop to here twice I'll PM you now for linkees

Bek, thanks for the hot tip!