Monday, November 15, 2010

A Useful Bag for Putting Things In


"Things" in this case being cloth diapers waiting to be laundered. After shopping around on the Internet for wet bags, I realized that I could save some money by making my own. Fortunately, PUL has become widely available on the Internet -- and even my local JoAnn's carries some in some rather offensively bright colors!

JoAnn's had the cheapest price (coupon + no shipping), so I pulled some fabric out of my stash to make a more attractive covering for the bag.



This is such a simple "pattern" -- two rectangles, with squares cut out of the bottom corners to give the bag some shape at the bottom. For the PUL, I put the fold on the bottom of the bag, since a seam at the bottom would have more chance of leaking. The wet bag and the decorative shell are sewn separately, only connected at the zipper and the top seam. I also used French seams on the wet bag, hoping that they might be more leak-proof than regular seams.



Originally I made a casing and added a drawstring -- but it proved to be difficult to cinch, and the bag wouldn't close completely. Since it's quite roomy, I ended up cutting the casing off entirely and adding a zipper. Which was nerve-wracking, but (thankfully) effective!





A little handle for hanging and transport to the laundry was a must. I discovered during this process that tissue paper worked wonders when I was trying to sew the PUL (which has a "sticky" texture that makes it difficult to sew). The tissue paper tears away easily, and makes the whole process so much simpler! And while I usually use as few pins as possible, *not* being able to pin was quite annoying! But apparently any extra holes in the PUL could lead to a leak.




You can see the shiny waterproof side of the PUL through the opening -- fortunately I checked on the Internet before I started sewing and found out that the smooth side goes on the *inside* of the bag.





This bag is intended for day-to-day use at home; I've made a smaller "outing" version (just simple rectangles with a zipper) for the diaper bag, using the same fabrics. $10 for 2 yards of PUL gave me plenty for both of these bags, with enough left over for at least another outing-size bag and some smaller projects. For three bags online I would have paid at least $35, so I'm pleased with the economic aspect of this project.

But the real test will be seeing if they actually work!

7/21/2011 UPDATE: Well, the large bag has bitten the dust. That cute cotton cover would get soaked during washing, resulting in my having to throw the whole thing in the dryer when I couldn't line dry. It was just too wet to dry inside (as in, dripping wet). JoAnn's cheap PUL is really not up to high-heat drying, and eventually the laminate started to peel off. So I pulled out my remaining PUL and a made a new bag without a cover. It works fine, plus I was able to correct a few things I didn't like about the first one (especially the zipper). Live and learn!

3/23/2012 UPDATE: Even with my updated version (just PUL, so I could let it air dry), the JoAnn's PUL started de-laminating within a few months. I think JoAnns carries cloth-diaper specific PUL in their notions area now, but I went ahead and bought a Rumparooz Kanga Care Wet Bag in August, which has been serving me very well. It's just large enough for one load of cloth diapers, and it's more compact than my original bag. My design worked just fine, and would probably still be in use if I had made it with better PUL. Live and learn!

17 comments:

  1. They certainly look wonderful! I had a wet bag at some point...hmmmm, I wonder what came of it? Perhaps I will give this a try, since they were rather expensive. I love the idea of two "travel size" bags, instead of just one...maybe one to stay in a back-up bag in the car at all times? Very clever, and as always, beautiful work!!

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  2. Oooh, this is in my project queue. Right now, we are using plastic shopping bags to hold the wet covers and liners, but only because I wanted to see what we would need before I made one. Yours looks great! What kind of diapers will you use?

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  3. Tilly, I loved the idea of two travel-sized bags, too! It just seems to make sense to have an extra on hand. :-) If I hadn't needed the large bag, I probably would have purchased this two-pack smaller set from Amazon (it's a fantastic price, and has good reviews): http://www.amazon.com/Kushies-Wet-Bag-Pack-Large/dp/B0029DPGDW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289847920&sr=8-1

    Keri, I'm planning on using flannel contour diapers (which I made using a free pattern), microfiber inserts, fleece liners, and diaper covers. I also have a dozen pre-fold diapers on hand, in case the fitteds don't work -- but I'm hoping that the fitteds will do the job, and that I can use the pre-folds as burp cloths! I'm trying a couple of different covers to see what I like best, and I'm hoping the most economical option will be effective. :-) What are you all using? I'm rather nervous -- not about cloth diapering, but about my specific selections! I've done the research, but now I just have to wait and see. Here's hoping! ;-)

    Love,
    Shannon

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  4. Oh, thanks for the link, those are great! I tend to use some sort of "rubbermaid" type pail, or smallish lidded trashcan for the soiled diapers at home, so that might be a good option for me! Would you share more about the diapers you made?? I'm planning to use wool covers this time around, since I can knit them pretty inexpensively and I will only need 3 or 4 in each size which will be great! I have had good luck with fitteds before so long as they have a good leg gusset at the legs to really hold everything in. My babies have had skinny legs I guess, and the leaks were dreadful, but once we found some with gussets it was like magic! I've always thought fleece would be great, but my kids (funny how different every one is!!) have been sensitive to it so we never got to try. I hope everything goes well for you, it is such a sweet thing to use those lovely cloth diapers, especially ones you've made...such a proud "Mama moment"! Are you going to try making your own diaper rash salves? I've heard it supposed to be really easy, it's on my "to do" list before this little one gets here!

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  5. It looks fantastic as always Shannon! :D You do such lovely work my dear. :) I hope all these work out well for you. :)

    Blessings!
    ~Rachel~

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  6. I was nervous about what I selected too, since the money was all invested. It worked out though! I chose Flips diapers which are a one-size pocket diaper. They sell them in day packs where you get two covers and six inserts for a very reasonable price.

    I am enjoying cloth diapering very much. I waited until she was about six weeks old before I started because she was going so much in the newborn days. Disposables were much easier and we had been gifted enough to cover the size 1 days! Cloth is just as easy though and NO leaks or "blowouts!" ;) Amelia ruined some of her clothes because the disposables just couldn't hold it in. You will love CD, I'm sure!!

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  7. What fun! It's been so neat to see your creative skills as you prepare for this new season of motherhood. :)

    Just curious -- have you used any of your Swagbucks points on things for Baby? I was wondering if you've had any luck with that! :)

    Blessings,
    Luci

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  8. Tilly, I'm waiting until I try out the diapers to do a full post, but you can see the pattern I used here:

    http://handmadebyrita.blogspot.com/2007/10/classic-rrp-ritas-rump-pocket-pattern.html.

    They were super easy (and fun!) to make, and I was very pleased with the pattern. It's a great way to do fitteds inexpensively. If they work, I'll definitely be posting more about them! :-) All of my covers are purchased, but I made sure that they all have gussets at the legs (except one, which was a phenomenal deal). I've heard wool covers are fantastic! If I were more talented with knitting, I'd try them -- I wish they weren't so prohibitively expensive to purchase. I'm not planning on making my own diaper salve at this point (a kind friend gave me California Baby's cream as a shower gift), but I may look into that in the future -- the organic/natural creams are rather pricey!

    Rachel, thank you for your kind encouragement! :-)

    Keri, the Flips look great! I'm glad to hear that CD is working out so well for you -- I'm also hoping to use disposables for *at least* the first week or two, since this is our first time! I think we'll have enough adjustments to make in those first days/weeks without extra laundry, etc. ;-) It's hard to believe your precious little one is already over six weeks old!

    Blessings,
    Shannon

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  9. Very cute wet bags...I love the outside print! And it's very wise to have two travel bags...in case you end up being gone two days in a row and don't do diaper laundry in between...because the wet bags DO begin to smell after holding dirty diapers all day, so having a new one for a new day is always nice. :)

    As for covers, I highly, HIGHLY recommend Thirsties Duos covers! I use them over Snappied prefolds, but I know they work over fitteds too. Their leg gussets are amazing for controlling blowouts (though sometimes nothing can control newborn blowouts! :P). And also, they're a two-size cover which means you only need to buy two-sizes to last you from birth to toddlerhood (as opposed to three or four sizes).

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  10. Luci, (sorry, you must have posted your comment just before I posted my previous response!) I have indeed used Swagbucks on baby things! So far I've purchased "The Baby Book," my birthing ball, and a diaper cover with Swagbucks, and I have a few other purchases planned. Most of my Swagbucks have actually been going toward other things recently, though.

    Jessica, I love the Thirsties duo wraps, and had planned on using them -- when I started finding some lower cost options, I decided to branch out and try some other covers. But I still hope to try the Thirsties at some point!

    Blessings,
    Shannon

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  11. How lovely! I've always been fond of blue and white toile.

    I'm so inspired by all the delightful baby projects you've tackled recently and am tucking away lots of ideas for the future, should the Lord bless me with a family of my own.

    Blessings,
    Kiri

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  12. How fun! Good to know that Swagbucks helps with baby costs. :) I love seeing all of your baby prep!

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  13. It is so pretty--- but huge!

    The one I keep in my diaper bag is the size of a small bummis tote. I cut a 12" strip of the PUL and then cut it in half so I will have two strips about 30x12. You fold the strip so the plastic side is in and the fabric side is out. I serge on the outside so that the serging will be exposed. Flip it over to make the casing on the outside as well. Use a shoelace and a toggle.

    This fits 2+ diapers, depending on the size.

    If you are thinking ahead, sew a piece of ribbon in the casing and write/embroider baby's name.


    ~*~
    If you find yourself loving wool- in Florida it will be great once summer arrives, especially at night if your baby is a heavy wetter. Keep your eye out for SOFT wool sweaters at the thrift store. You can felt them and make your own cover.

    Usually sweaters at the thrift store are already shrunk... probably a well meaning husband! The softest cashmere can be found for a dollar because it is already shrunk beyond most human size!

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  14. Kiri, I hope some of my experiences prove helpful to you in the future! I've so appreciated the inspiration, ideas, and even tutorials on blogs of experienced moms.

    Shannon, yes, it is huge! But as I mentioned in my post, this is my "at-home" wet bag (I don't intend to use a pail at this point) for regular use. My diaper bag version is about 10" x 13", closes with a zipper, and folds up easily when not in use. :-)

    Blessings,
    Shannon

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  15. I'm new to Joann's, it just recently opened in my area but I've noticed that you frequently mention using coupons there. Do you print it off the website like Hobby Lobby?

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  16. Ana, you can sign up for JoAnn's e-mails online, and they'll send you periodic coupons. Also, you can sign up in the store to receive their paper flier once every few weeks -- but *don't* put your e-mail down on the sign-up, or they'll just send you the electronic version (I don't know why!). The paper sales fliers are the best, and always have a coupon (usually 40% off one item, but sometimes they have a "Coupon Commotion" with a ton of coupons).

    Hope that helps!

    Blessings,
    Shannon

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  17. Great post. I loved sewing diapers and wet bags, ect. Ballpoint needles with pul is a must. You can't pin, but sparingly with PUL, just make sure you wash and dry on hot before using the item. The holes will seal up. Another thing I did instead of pinning was to use office clips. And for cutting from a pattern I put heavy jars or cans on top of the material and pattern to keep it in place.

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