greenbeans
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Product Reviews
Forum Name: Cloth Nappy Discussion
Forum Description: Are you new to cloth nappies? Looking for washing tips? Want to rave about a great new nappy you've tried? By popular request a board especially for all our cloth Mums!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=25241
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Topic: greenbeans
Posted By: first
Subject: greenbeans
Date Posted: 16 March 2009 at 11:51am
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I am wanting to make some inserts for my night nappy. I want to use bamboo and hemp layer but what is the difference between
sherpa/velour/fleece ? Which is like the inserts to a itti bitt?? Which would you use or what combination? HELP its so complicated. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: weegee
Date Posted: 18 March 2009 at 10:05am
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Sorry nobody has gotten back to you on this one! You're right, it is complicated, but check out the FAQ on the Greenbeans site and the DIY section on TNN. The itti bitti has a bamboo insert.
I'll do my best but may get some details wrong - anyone feel free to correct me! Terry is like towelling on one side and is smooth on the other. Fleece is the same, only the towelling loops have been brushed so they're broken and fluffy. Without being able to see the 'other' side of an itti insert it's hard to tell which it is. Velour is thinner, velvety and fluffy on both sides. Sherpa is thick and heavy, so is really absorbent but takes a while to dry - as far as I can tell most people use that for bibs or wipes. Hemp is great but you need to prewash it (by itself) loads of times to get rid of some of the natural oils before it will be absorbent. It lasts well and only gets more absorbent, but can stiffen up over time. Bamboo is great too but doesn't last as long as hemp. The 100% bamboo stuff breaks down faster so if you get one of the types with a little cotton in it that will mean it wears better. When you say inserts do you mean for a pocket or as boosters for fitteds/AIOs? For pockets at night I like to use two trifolds folded together, one that's hemp on one side and microfibre on the other, one that's a double layer of bamboo velour. So when folded that's 6 layers of bamboo folded together with 3 layers each of hemp fleece and microfibre. (I understand that's on the light side though, you may need more layers than that.) The bamboo and hemp give you the long term absorbency, the microfibre soaks up the pee really fast IYGWIM. HTH  ------------- 
Mum to JJ, 4 July 2008 & Addie, 28 July 2010 |
Posted By: myfullhouse
Date Posted: 18 March 2009 at 12:10pm
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You also need to wash and dry hemp several times before making your inserts because it shrinks a bit.
From what I have read bamboo takes longer to dry than hemp. ------------- Lindsey 
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Posted By: first
Date Posted: 18 March 2009 at 1:30pm
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Thanks so much for this and yes it is for pockets at night. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/">
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Posted By: Skyflame
Date Posted: 18 March 2009 at 9:21pm
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bamboo will shrink a bit to start with too and also needs to be broken in with several washes.
I am not entirely certain that bamboo wears out faster than hemp unless it is a 100% bamboo fabric. You should get a pretty similar lasting rate out of a 70/30 mix as a hemp. Fleece is brushed and terry is loopy, although not always as soft as towelling but a similar weave of fabric. they are the same fabric although one has had the loops cut open and brushed. In the end it really comes down to personal preference, Hemp does tend to go a bit crunchy when dry but can easily be softened but scrunching it up or a quick stint in the drier, while bamboo does seem to stay soft. I haven't really noticed any difference in the drying time of my hemp and bamboo inserts of similar weight fabric. only my very heavy weight does take a little longer to dry. Just one thing on the sewing theough if you are making your own is to make sure you preshrink the fabric first with a hot wash/hot dry if possible (goes for both fabrics, or any natural fibres) and velour can be a right pain to try sew up so if you are new to sewing I would not recommend it. Hope that helps |
Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 31 March 2009 at 1:20pm
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Velour is horrible frustrating maddening grrrrrr stuff!!!!! Its a nightmare to sew!! Lol ok thats me done...
Oh no uhm I use bamboo terry backed with microfibre as boosters and also in my fitteds (I use fitteds and covers). Its great, very absorbent and keeps Jake dry all night which is a job coz hes a heavy wetter!! All in all theres about 9 layers of bamboo and 4 layers of microfleece I think. -------------   
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Posted By: first
Date Posted: 01 April 2009 at 1:48pm
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Thanks everyone. I made my purchase yesterday so I'll be happily sewing in the next day or two.
------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://pregnancy.baby-gaga.com/">
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