My Love-Hate Relationship With Wool

Although there was never a time that I doubted I would cloth diaper my children, I have not always relished every second of it. Wool diaper covers have been the bane of my existence as a cloth diapering mother. Washing them is something I always procrastinate – mainly because it requires some extra TLC. I love them more than I hate them though. And in this case the good does out weigh the bad.

Pros

Breathable

Do not absorb odors

Naturally anti-bacterial

Wick away moisture and heat from baby’s bum

Cons

Can shrink

Require washing by hand with special care products

Not machine washable

Kind of expensive

Make Your Own Wool Diaper Cover For $2.00 Or Less

There is a way to make wool diaper covers for near to nothing with all the benefits of the fiber but without the huge price-tag. The neutral tones in covers like the aristocrats are beautiful, but the bright colors that can be found in thrifted wool sweaters are lots of fun and pretty too.

Below are photos and instructions for how I made a wool soaker for only $2.00 (cost of sweater).

Sizing is as follows:

Premie…..cut three sides of triangle by 10 inches (26cm)

Newborn….cut three sides of triangle by 12 inches (31cm)

Medium…..cut three sides of triangle by 16 inches (41cm)

Toddler….cut three sides of triangle by 20 inches (51cm)

Super……cut three sides of triangle by 24 inches (61cm)

(sizing chart taken from Borntolove.com)

Materials Needed:

1 wool sweater that you can cut up, the larger the better

scissors

sewing machine

thread

measuring tape or ruler

straight edge

Felt Wool Sweater:

You want the wool to be thick, soft and shrunken so it will contain moisture. If the knit of your sweater is already thick then you may be able to skip this step.

Wash the sweater in the washing machine in hot water to felt the wool. Place your sweater in an old pillowcase that you knot closed before washing to prevent your washing machine from getting filled with lint balls. Use a small amount of a gentle, unscented detergent. Dry the sweaters on high in dryer. You may need to repeat this process until the wool is properly felted.

Measure & Cut:

Measure baby’s waist and see sizing chart above. All three sides of your triangle will be the same length.



Cut off the cuffs of the sweater – these will be the leg cuffs for your wool soaker.

Pin and Sew Soaker Base:

Fold up your triangle like an envelope per above photo.



Pin your edges together. Do not pin the whole length to leave room for where you will attach the cuff. (see above photo)



Sew pinned length using a zigzag stitch. Then stop and cut your thread.

Above is what it should look like thus far.

Add Cuffs:



Grab your cut wrist cuffs, right sides facing out, and put them inside your base like above.



Pin them inside the two holes/spaces left for them.



Sew all together. My seams were 3/8″ wide using a zig-zag stitch. Be careful as you sew this part since it is very easy to sew over something that you didn’t mean to. I try to avoid the seam ripper at all costs! 🙂



Turn cover right side out to see your almost finished wool soaker. Above is what the leg cuff should look like now.

Fold and Sew Down Cuffs (optional) :



Fold down cuff.



Sew by hand the folded cuff to itself on the seam.



Here is the finished soaker. Congratulations!

*Before Use* Lanolize and air dry.

Learn the ins and out of caring for wool from experienced cloth diapering parents at this Diaperswappers.com forum.

Zany Zebra Designs has very thorough instructions for how to care for your wool, including making how to make your own wool wash.

I made mine 16 inches, without measuring, and that’s why it came out way too small. Mr. Happy Feet is not a medium size baby – what was I thinking?

I guess it’s time to make another one! No big deal since these are so easy and quick to make. What to do with the medium one I made though…

Next I want to try making a wrap style wool diaper cover using touch tape closures.