Making MCNs

My MIL has kindly offered to make up some MCNs for us, using the patterns available on The Nappy Network. So what I am after, if possible, is some ideas on just which fabrics to use. I am off to Spotlight today to have a look. From what I've read, I've come to the conclusion that pockets will be the best option, as you can add more inserts if needed (particularly good with newborns who wet more than older bubs). Sooo, I will look at PUL for outer dry layer, microfleece for the absorbent... The bit that I get a little confused about is the order. You have PUL on the outside, then microfleece...is microfleece what is next to bubs bottom? Or is there another layer? Also, can you buy hemp fabric to make your own inserts, or do you have to buy them readymade? One day hopefully I'll see a bum with MCNs on them so I can see the intricacies of how MCNs work!!

Sorry for the novel.

lol i seen my first 'real life' bum with a bum genius pocket nappy yesterday at the bumbles store in christchurch and they are CUTE! im going to buy some today :)

Thanks gandt - am looking at them now. Even if I have to buy the PUL online, I think it will still work out cheaper than $30 a nappy - and MIL is an amazing sewer. She said she'll give it a go and if it works out then we can buy the materials separately I think.

Yes I was just nosying - it's a great site isn't it!! Definitely gives you more options than I ever knew were out there.

What I did was get the DIY kit from greenbeans (I got 3 med nappies out of it). Then once mum knew what she was doing I got 1 metre of PUL from them and the snaps (you will need to get hold of a snap press thou) from Greenbeans, and I got the microfleece from Spotlight from the 1 metre I got 6 petite size nappies. Also you would need to think about inserts and if your MIL has an overlocker or the overlocking stitch on her machine then get the microfibre from Greenbeans it works out so so so much cheaper.

Do the snaps work better than velcro? I was pondering that today.

Snaps look tidier and are hard for babes to get open as well as requiring a snap press to put on.

Velcroe is easy to sew with and gives a really good fit. Sometimes babes sit in between snap sizes. Babes can easily rip naps off.

It's all up to the user as to which one is better.

We have both, velcro is a pain in the bum for sticking to other stuff and getting lots of threads etc caught in it but it is handy for my nappy bag when I want a quick easy nap to put on. Love my snaps, DH doesn't find them at all hard to use. He just likes me to tell him which snaps the naps should be on.