What's the Future for Cloth?

[Rover]

Gosh, I hope my OP didn't offend anyone. FWIW, I have bought BBs, and am also waiting on some Whizz Kids and a Rollicking Rascal. I didn't mean to vent about how I couldn't get any good nappies! It was really a theoretical question about whether smaller producers who are making the "hits" of the moment would get bigger. While I'd love one of Katanya's longies, I've bought one from Fully Wooly in the meantime, and I cannot WAIT till that arrives! It's truly groovy.

I also think anyone new to cloth might actually start by trying to find a good night nappy. My daughter is a stupendous wee-er at night, but I hadn't thought of leaving her in disposables ...

Sorry to anyone I offended.

[Lucy]

some of the 'high demand' nappies are not only hard to get because they are
(a) popular because they are great
(b) made by a mum of 8, 4, or even 1 kid + DP
(c) made under licence meaning that only the person with the licence can make and sell that design of nappy, and the seller can't outsource someone to sew for them at risk of breaching licence conditions unless the new sewers get a licence to make the same nappy to sell (I think VB, HB and CB are all along these lines - Poochies are too I think... oooh, any others... Wooly Wonder, Fern & Ferie...). As Lesley said, the licencees often have pretty high standards and limitations on who can purchase a licence to make nappies for retail, and will come down hard on people who breach copyright by doing it anyway.

And/or any combination of the above.

so, what I am getting at is... sometimes there's not much a WAHM can do about it, especially if they are sewing til 3am, caring for 8
kids and sewing a licensed design... very well...

For those who design their own, the decision to branch out isn't an easy, cheap or simple one... (have you read Davina's profile - via the nappycino.com homepage, really insightful!)

Not having a go back, just giving my 2c, most of which has already been said.

[twinmama]

I also think that there are a lot more cloth users now, than say 12 months ago, due in part to forums such as this, and displays and expos now becoming mainstream.

There's also a lot more people making and selling modern cloth too.

[Katanya]

well I think there will be more poeple heading BB's direction and outsourcing their manufacture. It is really the only way people seem to be able to keep with demand.

as for me where do I see wool products in this? well I know there are least half a dozen knitty WAhms ready to bring forward new woolies..and the need is so there!

where do i see myself? I have been thinking alot about it, and to be honest I am already @ the stage I wanted to be when I started out..a few of my commericial textile design friends suggested getting some soakers/longies to my designs made up in china etc..and they have textile connections, but you see what i love is doing it myself! I love making it..I really dont want to be admin store owner..what I'd love is a business mamanger that does all that for me and I can design and knit but really dont know anyone that I trust that would do that for me? plus the financial investment is HUGE!

so for the time being I will keep on as I am because I love what I do, and while people like what I do then I'll keep @ it

I would LOVE to walk into Big w too and see MCN..but good quality cloth!..but do I think it will happen? well look @ the fate of eenees..gone overseas because they apprently didn't have a market here??

anyhow I hope and pray the "industry" grows and grows!