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Leaks and cloth diapers?
I made some cloth diapers and we are having trouble with leaks. Wetness seeps through the cover around the legs, the rest of the diaper is fine and nothing else is escaping so I think that the fit is good.
The diapers consist of a jersey knit inner, a PUL middle layer, and an outer made of flannel. The soaker in the pocket is made of 3 layers of zorb in a terry cloth cover. I used cotton thread.
Any experienced diaper sewers out there have an idea of what might be happening? Is the thread really wicking that much liquid? Should the outer-most layer just be PUL and ditch the decorative flannel? If I dry them on high heat to close up the sewed holes in the PUL, will that help?
If it is the thread, do I have to toss the dipes or is there something else I can do to save them? A waterproof spray for the outer layer perhaps?
Thanks
More info:
My baby boy is 4 months old and around 20lbs if that helps any.
They are fitted diapers. I have elastic around where the pocket is at the back of the waist-band and also elastic around the legs. The diapers secure with aplix at the front.
I pulled the elastic as tight as it would possibly go. I have a lot of sewing experience, just not with diapers. :)
4 Answers
- E and S's mamaLv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
I don't have experience with sewing them but do use multiple types of cloth diapers. I don't think the problem is the flannel over the PUL as I have "minky" diapers that would be comparable to that style. Any time I have leaks it is because the rise is too large. The tabs should fit under the Buddha belly - if it fits over/on it then when they lay on their stomach or move around the diaper on a whole shifts down and opens up the leg gaps even more.
Depending on how big of a wetter or how old your child is you might not have enough stuffed in the pocket either. I wouldn't recommend using high heat on PUL. Stay away from any waterproofing spray (chemicals, yuck!).
- 76jules79Lv 51 decade ago
I have a feeling it may be the cotton thread. I use polyester thread as cotton is too absorbent and the wetness wicks straight through. I doubt the outer layer has anything to do with it as you have the PUL in between. You could re-sew around the stitching using polyester thread and see if it works. Or just unpick and re-sew. I always air dry my cover too as heat can effect PUL and sometimes make it loose it water repelling qualities.
- Bird Flippin'Lv 71 decade ago
I use cotton thread for the diapers I make and have never had a problem with leaking. My question is are they fitted or contoured pockets? If contoured, turn them into fitted by sewing in an elastic around the leg. If fitted, how tight did you pull the elastic when sewing it in? It could be that there's too much slack in the elastic. Stay stitch the end in place, put the needle down and pull as hard as you can then zig zag it in place. I say if your fingers aren't cramped from pulling, it's too loose.
- 1 decade ago
it is definitely the thread you used that is the problem! Cotton thread wicks moisture something shocking and if you want to prevent wicking through the stitching you should use a fully synthetic thread such as a polyester one.
If you can, unpick the thread that passes through the PUL and restitch it using polyester thread, the number of nappies I had to unpick while learning to sew them was something shocking!
