Quick tips for PUL and Shar's Newborn with Umbilical Scoop

by Linda Klauck
(SoCal)

I just want to let you know that polyester thread sewn through the inner fabric of a pocket or aio and to the PUL WILL WICK. For my first set of newborn pockets (using the free nappy pattern Shar's Newborn Pocket with Umbilical Scoop) I had a hard time figuring out how long the lastin on the legs should be cut (I figured out that 10-12 cm, depending on where the lastin started and ended, was a good length), so I had stretched-out looking legs. I ripped out the lastin, thinking it was absolutely useless. In my frustration, I depended on my own experience and made a casing.

NEVER MAKE LEG CASINGS UNLESS YOU WANT YOUR DIAPERS TO WICK THROUGH THE THREAD!

I ruined 3 diapers this way, although I have tried to remedy the problem by following the original lastin directions (cut pcs at 12 cm and pulled very tight) and adding a poly fleece strip to prevent leaks through the holes I punched in the PUL. Also, when you test your diapers for leaks/wicking, first wash them (hot wash prewash your fabrics, yes, then wash each diaper in hot again) so any holes punched by your needle, especially in the velcro area, will melt around your thread a bit. Never forget that all-important cut of fleece or PUL behind the velcro, either.

BTW, lastin is Great Stuff! It can be pulled taut without seeming too tight.

A few more tips:
Wait till you have a finished pocket diaper before you cut your inserts up-might save you some fabric and time.

Cut one out and make it, first. Do a quality inspection on that one before you continue. I found that the hook velcro on the wings could touch the baby's skin if I put it on too loose, so I cut the velcro on the wings shorter, to increase the time I could use the diaper. I would personally cut the Shar's newborn a bit wider in the front to prevent potential rubbing of the hook velcro on the baby's hips.

That's all! Phew! No pics, but I will try to get some together.