cloth diaper Archives

Cloth Diapering: Accessories You Don’t Need

2015/01 By Lauren B. Stevens 23 Comments

This post is geared towards those families who wish to take a simplistic and minimalist approach to cloth diapering, as I did. Retailers are going to hate me for this, but here goes….

After cloth diapering for two and a half years, I’ve seen my share of cloth diaper trends and accessories, and have amassed a great deal of simplistic cloth diapering experience. If you view cloth diapers as pee and poop catchers (that will save you money in the long run), and wish to take a minimalist approach to cloth diapering, this piece is for you.

[Read more…]

Funky Fluff One-Size Stay Dry 2.0 Cloth Diaper: #FUNKtionalCloth

2014/05 By Lauren B. Stevens 2 Comments

I began using the Funky Fluff One-Size Stay Dry Fusion cloth diaper a little under a year ago, after being drawn in by the fun colors and multiple diapering options. I love the fact that I simply snap the detachable soaker in and use the diaper as an all-in-two (AI2)/all-in-one (AIO). I’ve been pretty vocal about my dislike for pocket diapers, so the fact that Funky Fluff allows me to bypass the pocket option is a bonus. However, all of you pocket diaper lovers won’t be disappointed, as the Funky Fluff One-Size Stay Dry 2.0 is a diaper that will appeal to fans of AIOs, AI2s, and pocket diapers.

Funky Fluff One-Size Stay Dry 2.0 Diaper

Having used the original Funky Fluff One-Size Stay Dry Fusion diaper, I was delighted when Funky Fluff sent me the 2.0 to review. I’m always curious to compare styles when a cloth diaper company makes changes to their design, especially when the original design functions well. Without further adieu, here is how the Funky Fluff One-Size Stay Dry Fusion 2.0 cloth diaper compares to the original design:

At first glance, you can see that the Funky Fluff Stay Dry 2.0 is noticeably longer with a slimmer design. Those of you with younger babies may not appreciate this new feature, but as the mom of a 21 month old, the additional length is a godsend for my long and lean little guy; the additional length is perfect for longer babies, truly making this a one-size diaper fit for use from birth to potty training.

This side-by-side comparison illustrates some of the changes Funky Fluff has made to the Stay Dry diaper design:

Funky Fluff Stay Dry Cloth Diaper Comparison

the elimination of the double gusset, creating a trimmer fit
narrow design, allowing for a trimmer fit
not shown in the picture: a slightly wider back elastic to create a more snug & comfortable fit

Take a look at the fit of the Funky Fluff Stay Dry 2.0 cloth diaper compared to the original design:

The additional length of the Stay Dry 2.0, combined with a slimmer design through the crotch area, makes for a better fit. The rise is slightly higher, which I appreciate as the mother of a boy (the front waistband design of cloth diapers is important here) and for diapering a 21 month old. Do I dislike the fit of the original Funky Fluff One-Size Stay Dry Fusion design? Absolutely not, but I really like the design of the 2.0 in comparison.

The above photo makes it pretty clear that the design improvements of the Funky Fluff One-Size Stay Dry 2.0 cloth diaper have greatly improved the fit (especially in the back of the diaper). Removing the double gussets, adding additional length, and slimming down the middle of the diaper create a trimmer fit, without sacrificing the cloth diaper’s performance. Again, the design changes create an excellent fit for cloth diapering boys.

While I really liked the original Stay Dry design, Funky Fluff’s Stay Dry 2.0 gets two thumbs-up from me. I love how trim the diaper has become, and the additional length provides a higher rise for diapering my toddler son: win-win!

Previously only available to purchase the entire 3-in-1 diapering system, Funky Fluff is now selling their vibrantly colored covers separately [to allow you to customize your absorbency]! You can shop Funky Fluff cloth diapers, soakers/booster, wet bags, and cloth wipes by visiting their website: www.funkyfluff.ca

It’s Not a Disposable, It’s a Green Line Diaper!

2013/10 By Lauren B. Stevens Leave a Comment

*I received product to facilitate my review. All opinions expressed are my own.

That’s right folks, Green Line’s All-in-two (AI2) diapering system, when used with their bamboo inner, is the trimmest diaper I’ve encountered in my cloth diapering career. You’ll have people claiming, “That’s a disposable!” But it’s not.

I am always on the lookout for new cloth diapers to try, so I was delighted to have the opportunity to try Green Line Diaper’s AI2 one-size diapering system!

“We love what we do and are thrilled to sew wicked covers for all the little ones out there!” Green Line Diaper is the work of a husband and wife team, Natasha and Kyle, living on a small island in British Columbia.

So, let’s get down to it:

What’s so unique & great about Green Line Diapers? Well, the prints for starters! My husband could care less about cloth diapers or their often cute & funky designs. When I opened the package to show my husband the Green Line Diaper, he stopped, smiled, and asked to take a closer look (that never happens). This is where the ‘husband’ part of Green Line’s ‘husband-wife’ team comes in! In addition to this funky, dudetastic robot and spaceship design, the diaper design itself was created by…a man! (Read: show this review to your non-convinced husband)

Using your Green Line Diaper is as easy as 1-2-3! Place your prefold/soaker/Green Line Bamboo Soaker, fold up & secure, and adjust legs.

Green Line sent me one of their bamboo soakers, made from 70% bamboo 30% cotton, but I also used hemp prefolds with the cover. I’ll be honest, the diaper became bulky when I used other prefolds. Green Line’s bamboo soaker is a great example of how absorbent bamboo is — the soaker is very thin, yet super thirsty. This is one of the reasons why this diapering system is the trimmest I’ve encountered.

Let’s talk about the cover, because a diaper is only as good as it’s outside layer. Green Line Diaper covers contain no PUL and function without elastic sewn into the waist and legs. Huh?! The cover is comprised of an outer layer of 100% cotton (in a funky print) and an inner layer of Ultrex, a breathable waterproof fabric (commonly used for outdoor gear/clothing). No PUL means you need not worry about delamination (and your baby’s buns won’t bake)!

Another great design feature is the heavy-duty hook & loop enclosure. Declan has recently mastered taking off diapers with velcro enclosures, but the Green Line Diaper is one that he can’t master. Green Line’s hook & loop is the same that can be found on swim diapers – no more Houdini acts by D!

One last feature is the drawstring & cord lock leg closure. This was my first time using an adjustable leg, so it took a little getting used to, but I have to say that I like the way it fits better than a typical gussetted leg. Again, this feature adds to the overall trimness of the diaper, and creates a great barrier against leaks.

Green Line Diaper at-a-glance:

Easy for both moms and dads to use
No PUL
Funky prints
Can use your own prefolds/soakers with the system
Dries quickly
Wipes off easily

Dinosaurs, Robots and Spaceships, OH MY!

I will note that there was a bit of a learning curve for me with this diaper, as I’ve not used adjustable leg closures before, and I did need to work on positioning the diaper to get the right fit on D. Natasha was incredibly helpful with my questions! If I did have to point out a downside to this diaper, I would say that I do miss having velcro tabs to secure the H&L tabs when doing laundry; I simply attach the diaper in the closed position & turn inside out to wash. I think the Green Line Diaper is a wonderfully versatile and affordable option for cloth diapering parents.

Diapers aren’t all Green Line makes – you can check out their bibs, fleece covers, nursing pads, mama cloth and more HERE. Feeling social? You can connect with Green Line via FACEBOOK.

Wonderfully Thirsty: Wonderful Bambino Fitted Diapers

2013/09 By Lauren B. Stevens 118 Comments

Wonderful Bambino Bamboo Fitted Diaper

Wonderful Bambino one-size bamboo fitted cloth diaper review.

Look out cloth diaper-ers, there’s a new (natural fiber) diaper in town! I had the opportunity to test Wonderful Bambino’s one-size fitted diaper prototype back in June, and was excited to receive one of the finished products when they hit the market last month. I’ve talked about how great of a fiber hemp is for diapers here and here, and Wonderful Bambino presented my first opportunity to delve into bamboo to see how it performs for a diaper. In a nutshell, bamboo works wonderfully!

My first impression of this diaper was that it was really flimsy & floppy – I doubted it would be able to hold much liquid. This, however, is one of the amazing qualities of the Wonderful Bambino one-size fitted diaper — it’s lightweight (read: SUPER TRIM) and really thirsty.

Made of 100% bamboo, the bamboo’s properties pull in and distribute moisture beautifully. As I’ve said before, D is not a heavy wetter, so these work really well for us with just a cover. Those of you with heavy wetters, or looking to use this diaper for nighttime, would do well to pair this fitted with Wonderful Bambino Bamboo Inserts. The bamboo inserts are made from the same material as the diaper and are comprised of three thirsty layers of bamboo — these inserts are slim.

So, how does the Wonderful Bambino Fitted perform? As a one-size fitted diaper, Wonderful Bambino features plenty of areas to adjust sizing to fit your little one. The rise contains two rows of snaps, easily allowing you to fold the top row down and in to accommodate smaller babies. The body contains two additional rows for sizing, again allowing for adjustment. For those smaller, leaner babies, there is an additional snap on the waist to allow the tabs to overlap to secure (this feature is what got us through the first year of diapering with Declan’s lean waistline):

With multiple sizing options, the Wonderful Bambino diaper is a good ‘fit’ for most babies. One of the great things about bamboo fabric (apart from how much it absorbs and distributes) is that it has a lot of stretch to it, making it a great option for chunky babies and babies/toddlers on-the-move. The leg gussets hug D’s legs, ensuring a snug fit to prevent leaks, but not so tight that it causes marks or discomfort:

Overall, I am really pleased with how the Wonderful Bambino Fitted Diaper performs. After using this diaper for over 2 months, I’ve yet to find any negatives to share with you. Here is a concise list of the Wonderful Bambino’s great features:

Made from 100% Bamboo
Machine Wash AND Dry
A VERY trim diaper, compared to other fitteds on the market
Very absorbent diaper, even without bamboo insert
Great diaper for chunky babies
Great diaper for overnight, when paired with bamboo insert
Leg gussets create snug fit, deterring any leaks

Interested in learning more? Visit their website at www.WonderfulBambino.com. Want to connect via social media to find out the latest news and specials? You can connect with Wonderful Bambino on Twitter: @WBDiapers

*This post contains affiliate links.

Window Shopping: Creating My Ideal Cloth Diaper Stash

2013/09 By Lauren B. Stevens 5 Comments

*This post contains affiliate links.

If I had the chance to start over and build my cloth diaper stash from scratch, what would I do differently or the same, knowing what I know now (after 14 months of cloth diapering)? And how would I create my stash if I was given a $200 budget, or $500? What would I choose with an unlimited budget (more like, what wouldn’t I chose)? When Tara & Carolyn, from Padded Tush Stats, threw this topic out, I knew that I would have fun with it. Window shopping, with all of the cloth diapering experience I’ve gained over the past year, has been fun and a challenge.

I began putting together my cloth diaper stash when I was two months pregnant, so I had plenty of time to shop. I read cloth diapering blogs like it was my job! A couple of the first nuggets of wisdom I encountered were that a.) I would need to try a few different styles of diapers to figure out what worked best for us, and b.) not all styles of diapers work on all babies (it’s like finding the right pair of running shoes). I knew that I wanted to diaper with prefolds (flats intimidated more than prefolds back then), but also wanted to try pockets, AI2s, etc. I purchased prefolds new, little by little, and decided to buy pockets used.

I realized early on that pockets were not going to work for us, and gradually sold them to add more prefolds and fitteds. It’s amazing how diaper preferences change over time…and over the course of your baby’s growth. I was a staunch prefold advocate for the first year of diapering Declan, but when every diaper change became a wrestling match (aound the time he turned 1), I quickly realized that AIOs and AI2s were my ally on the changing mat, and I have been adding them to my stash here and there. Every baby is different, but the following ‘dream’ lists are based upon my experience thus far diapering D.

To simplify things, I’ll be creating my stash using just one diaper store (no comparison shopping): Diaper Junction. It pays to use one cloth diaper store because most of them have points/award systems that give you credit based upon what you spend.

Creating a Diaper Stash for $200

This task proved to be a bit more difficult than I had imagined, but it’s still no problem for me, a prefold lover. I actually plan to use flats with our next baby, now that I’m no longer intimidated, and they are a perfect solution because they fit babies of all sizes.

1 – 3-Pack Snappi Diaper Fasteners $3.95

12 – Diaper Rite Birdseye Flats $17.50

12 – Preemie Indian Prefolds $9.00

1 – Hand-Knit Wool Diaper Cover $6.00

2 – Bummis Newborn Diaper Covers $13.00

2 – Thirsties Duo Wrap size 1 $20.82

2 – Thirsties Duo Wrap size 2 $20.82

1 – Econobum Diaper Kit $49.95

1 – Rumparooz Diaper Pail Liner $18.95

12 – Diaper Rite Flannel Wipes $5.99

10 – Charlie Banana 10 Reusable Double Sided Wipes, Blue Emb. $12.99 (these are my absolute favorite wipes)

1 – 10-gallon step trash can (Target) $15.00

There’s no wet bag included, but grocery bags work just fine when you’re out and about. No frills diapering, but this will take you from birth to potty training for $193.97.

Creating a Diaper Stash for $500

Now with $500 I should really be able to create my dream stash, right? Well, I had a tough time fulfilling my dream stash for $500 (those AIOs & AI2s are expensive!)! For $500, however, I do get the luxury of having plenty of diapers for the newborn stage. One thing I wasn’t keen on was doing diapers almost daily the first 2-3 months with Declan. However, once babies are on solids, their daily diaper usage decreases drastically, and I really didn’t factor in a decrease in diaper usage when purchasing our prefolds (we have a lot…as in over 100 in multiple sizes a lot!). With D, we have way more prefolds than we can use in our current rotation because his pH changed once he began teething; this meant that I went from doing diaper laundry once per week, to doing them every 3rd day (or have an insane ammonia stink emanating from the pail). I’d rather have more diapers for those early sleep-deprived days, and this stash reflects that:

1 – 3-Pack Snappi Diaper Fasteners $3.95

24 – Diaper Rite Flannel Wipes $11.98
1 – 10-Pack Charlie Banana Wipes $12.99

1 – Bummis Newborn Pack $42.00

12 prefolds

2 covers

12 – Preemie Indian Prefolds $9.00

12 – Diaper Rite Flats $17.50

12 – Infant Indian Prefolds $18.00

2 – Thirsties Duo Wrap size 1 $20.80

1 – Blueberry Cover $16.95

1 – Applecheeks Cover $19.00

12 – bumGenius Freetime AIOs $239.40
1 – Step Trash Can $15.00
2 – Planet Wise Pail Liners $33.00
1 – Planet Wise Hanging Wet Bag $29.99
1 – Planet Wise Wet Bag Medium $16.50

All of this for a grand total of $493.07 – whew! What’s interesting to note is that we’ve spent around $500-600 on our current stash, but have way more options. Part of this is because we had a few of our cloth diapering items given to us as shower gifts, and cute covers for Christmas gifts. The other reason why we have so much more is because I had the luxury of plenty time to shop around; I purchased used diapers, shopped B1G1 diaper sales, and lucked into meeting a woman that was liquidating her online diaper store inventory (I was able to purchase a lot of items at cost, including our pail liners and wet bags).

My Ideal Diaper Stash (no budget)

No budget? Since money is no object, and the budget is out-the-door, the (cloth diapering) world is my oyster! The interesting thing is that I didn’t go nuts. At-the-end-of-the-day, diapers, for me, are pee and poop catchers that serve a practical purpose. I don’t like clutter, so I hate to over buy.

One area where I minimized, compared to what I currently have, is with my diaper covers. I have WAY more than I need now, so I would definitely scale back if I had it all to do over again. Other changes? One more set of my absolute favorite wipes (Charlie Banana double-sided), more (fun) wet bag options, more newborn prefolds and wool…lots and lots of wool (I.love.wool.). I scaled back on the number of larger sized prefolds I would get because I would plan to switch over to AIOs around the one year mark. This is my ideal cloth diaper stash (*drum roll*):

1 – 3-Pack Snappi Diaper Fasteners $3.95

3 – 10-Packs Charlie Banana Double-Sided Wipes $38.97

Wipes Warmer $29.99

4 – 5-Packs of Bummis Fleece Liners $20.00

Step Trash Can $15.00

2 – Planet Wise Pail Liners $33.00

1 – Planet Wise Wet Bag Small $9.50

1 – Planet Wise Wet Bag Medium $16.50

1 – Planet Wise Hanging Wet Bag $29.99

1 – Planet Wise Wet/Dry Bag $21.00

2 – Bummis Newborn Diaper Packs $84.00

12 – Diaper Rite Birdseye Flats $17.50

24 – Thirsties Duo Hemp Prefolds $186.00

1 – Blueberry Cover $16.95

1 – Applecheeks Cover $19.00

1 – Thirsties Duo Wrap Cover $10.20

1 – EcoPosh Wool Cover $34.95

1 – Kissaluvs Wool Cover $39.00

1 – Aristocrat Wool Longies $48.71

18 bumGenius Freetime AIOs $359.82

A grand total of $1,033.21. Disposable diapering can cost anywhere from $1,500-$2,000, so I’m still saving money while having my dream diaper stash. The crazy thing? These diapers will diaper all of my kids and I’ll still be able to resell many of these items when done and recoup some money (cloth diapering just makes cents). I feel I should have a disclaimer — I’ve not tried Blueberry or Applecheeks covers, I’ve just heard so many great things about them that I had to include them. Also missing? The diaper I am absolutely dying to try right now is a Smart Bottoms Smart One 3.0. I just can’t justify any more diaper purchases when we have so many diapers that go unused each rotation (even though I really, really, really want to add just 5 more AIOs/AI2s to my stash!).

Window shopping has been fun, but it makes me want so many more diapers (and another squishy baby to put fluff on)! I was surprised that I had difficulty with the $200 budget even with exclusive flat and prefold diapering. While I was pretty much a prefold-only gal (with a few fitteds thrown in for good measure), I did have a lot of comforts along with those diapers, in the form of multiple wet bags, pail liners, premium cloth wipes, wipe warmer, and way more cute covers than we have ever needed (who knew?). The biggest comfort I factored into my $500 and unlimited budgets was having the luxury of more diapers and cutting down on the frequency of laundering. What I didn’t factor in was a laundry service, but that may just be a topic for a future post…

Green Mother Crafts Hybrid Fitted Diaper

2013/06 By Lauren B. Stevens 1 Comment

* I received product, free of charge, in exchange for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

When the opportunity arose for me to review one of Green Mother Crafts Hybrid fitted diapers, I jumped at the chance! I was originally drawn to Green Mother Crafts because of the beautifully-crafted diaper covers they make in bright, fun prints. Lucky for me (and all of you), Green Mother Crafts agreed to sponsor one of their beautiful covers, and a set of cloth wipes, for the Prefold event I’m hosting, starting Monday, July 1! I digress…

In business for 3 years, Green Mother Crafts’ Jo and Angela share well over 20 years of experience crafting and using cloth diapers; they are cloth diaper artisans. Green Mother Crafts’ philosophy is best described in Angela’s own words:

We both care deeply for the Earth. Our goal is to make affordable products that are functional, stylish, and have a positive impact on our environment. We have been described by some as “Modern Hippies.”
For some people, what we make is a ‘poop catcher’. To me, it is a work of art. Each item is made with love and creativity. I am a perfectionist, so I pay attention to every detail. My creations are my gift to the world to help make it a little more beautiful. That is why I tie a bow on each one before I send it out.

That “attention to every detail” is extremely apparent once you take a look at a Green Mother Crafts diaper! I chose the Woodland Trails Deer print for my Hybrid Fitted, and absolutely fell in love with the diaper once I saw it in-person.

My Green Mother Crafts’ Hybrid Fitted Diaper came with 2 snap-in inserts to try, one 17″ and one 12″. The inserts are comprised of 1-2 layers of Zorb (1 layer for newborn insert, 2 for larger insert), sewn between a layer of organic bamboo velour and a layer of organic bamboo fleece. One of the great things about GMC, is that I received detailed instructions for how to prep, and subsequently care for the diaper; this is the first diaper I’ve had with such detailed instructions (which is great because I don’t want anything to happen to such a beautiful diaper)!

The front waist features 12 snaps which leaves plenty of room for growth, and a fold-down rise with an additional 12 snaps. The left wing features 3 snaps, the right wing 5 — this diaper will easily fit a newborn! The inside of the diaper is typically lined with a cotton velour, in a color coordinating with the outside design. Moving forward, GMC will be using Windpro and Polartec fleece in their hybrids. So, is this diaper all looks, or does it actually perform?

Thankfully, this hybrid is SUPER absorbent, as I would hate to have cover this amazing print! When testing diapers, I typically like to leave them on for around 3 hours. Because of the timing with bathtime, I ended-up leaving the hybrid on for 3 1/2 hours, with just the 17″ insert inside. I was shocked to see that the insert, which I had doubled over in the front of the diaper, had absorbed all of the moisture, and the diaper itself wasn’t even damp! If I used cloth at nighttime, this would make a wonderfully absorbent nighttime diaper! What I love even more is the fact that this diaper isn’t bulky, so you get absorbency without hindering movement:

My Green Mountain Crafts Hybrid Fitted diaper has definitely become one of my favorite diapers in Declan’s stash. If you’re looking for an affordable, well-crafted, artisan cloth diaper, definitely check out Green Mother Crafts’ Hyenacart store. You can also connect with Green Mother Crafts on Facebook, to check out some of their latest creations and up-to-date information for stockings.

Check back next week for a chance to win a Green Mother Crafts diaper cover and set of flannel wipes!

Geffen Baby Jersey Prefold Review

2013/06 By Lauren B. Stevens 2 Comments

* I received a free product in exchange for my review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

My diaper stash consists primarily of unbleached cotton prefolds, now that I’ve finally unloaded my pocket diapers (I just couldn’t force myself to like them). I’m unable to have a clothesline, so I dry my diapers in the dryer. If you’ve ever felt material in natural fibers, it tends to be a little rough and scratchy, even when using dryer balls to soften fabrics. Needless to say, when I had the opportunity to try one of Geffen Baby’s Jersey prefolds, I jumped at the chance because a.) it was a Geffen Baby prefold (and I’d heard great things about their diapers), and b.) the prefold was in a fabric I’d never tried in diapering.

At around 21 pounds, D is at an in-between size with many prefold manufacturers, so we sized up and were sent a M/L to try. Once I tore open the packaging, I was astounded by how unbelievably soft this prefold was. Before seasoning, the Jersey Prefold measured 18 1/2 inches in length. After seasoning, the prefold shrunk to approximately 17 1/4 inches in length. Being a little on the long side for
Declan’s current size, I use a combination of a newspaper fold and bikini twist when diapering him. Paired with how trim this diaper is to begin with, it almost looks as though D has a disposable diaper on!

Made from four layers of 60% Hemp and 40% Organic Cotton, Geffen Baby Jersey Prefolds are super trim, as far as prefolds go. I have to be honest and admit that I really doubted the absorbency of this diaper, once I felt the layers comprising the prefold.

I typically change D’s diaper every two hours, but I left the Geffen Baby on for three hours to really put it to the test. What I found was an incredibly absorbent diaper! Whereas Declan was typically soaked in the front of the diaper (in his regular cotton prefolds), the jersey prefold had plenty of dry area to spare. I’d heard wonderful things about hemp, and this diaper definitely proves how absorbent a fiber hemp is. If I used cloth at night (little guy’s skin is just too sensitive for overnight cloth), the Geffen Baby Jersey Prefold would definitely be one of my go-to diapers for 12+ hours of wear.

If you’re anything like me, you put a more absorbent diaper on your kiddo when you’re setting out to run errands (please tell me I’m not the only person who does this). I will typically put on a bulky toddler diaper to ensure a.) that I won’t have to change a diaper while out (unless #2 is involved), and b.) that there won’t be an accidental leak. The Geffen Baby Jersey Prefold has now earned errand-running status!
In a nutshell, this diaper is unbelievably soft on your little one’s bum, without trading absorbency for comfort. I would definitely recommend the jersey prefold, with 60% hemp, for both day and nighttime diapering.

Made here in the USA, you can definitely feel good about purchasing Geffen Baby products. For more information about Geffen Baby’s full line of products, you can visit their website here. Use social media frequently? Check out Geffen Baby on Facebook and Twitter.

GroVia Kiwi Pie One Size Fitted Diaper (Review)

2013/04 By Lauren B. Stevens 169 Comments

I’ve talked about how how much I love cloth diapering with prefolds, but when I decided to try cloth diapering at night again, I wanted to try using a fitted diaper for added absorbency. GroVia’s Kiwi Pie Fitted was my first choice…

I will start by saying that I don’t have any pictures of my GroVia Kiwi Pie Fitted Diaper packaged…because I was SO darn excited to try it out, that I started seasoning it as soon as I opened the package! So, I apologize for not having any ‘before’ photos for you.
My first impression of GroVia’s Kiwi Pie Fitted cloth diaper was how soft and trim the diaper was. I’ve used one other brand of fitted, and while soft, the newborn fitted diaper was super bulky. Not so with the Kiwi Pie, even with the extra soakers inside.

As you can see, the soakers snap together, if you choose to use them both. I’ve only used my GroVia Kiwi Pie for nighttime diapering, so we go ‘all-in’ and use both soakers.

GroVia Kiwi Pie cloth diapers are handmade in the USA, and the attention to detail is apparent. One of the reasons this diaper is so trim is because of the remarkable craftsmanship – the quality of the sewing is impeccable. The inner elastic keeps the diaper close to the thighs, without chafing, providing a trim fit and deterring any leakage.

Made from 50% MicroModal/ 50% Pima Cotton, the Kiwi Pie is incredibly soft and absorbent. As I said earlier, we use our GroVia fitted diaper for nighttime diapering, and love that the cotton is soft and comfortable for my little guy and extremely absorbent (we’ve not yet had a leak).

An added bonus to all of the functionality? Kiwi Pie Fitteds come in an array of fun and funky prints (Cream Dogs & Cats is pictured). My husband loves using fitted cloth diapers because of their ease of use. Just snap on and pop a cover on over top; we use wool for nighttime:

D’s definitely not suffering from bulky nighttime diapering syndrome. With the Kiwi Pie, D’s nighttime diapering is trim, comfortable, and super absorbent. If you’re looking for a great nighttime diapering solution, or want to try a new fitted diaper, I would definitely recommend giving the Kiwi Pie a try. Check out GroVia Cloth Diapers for all of your cloth diapering needs: fitteds, hybrids, AIOs, wool soakers, trainers, and more!

** If you do end up buying a Kiwi Pie Wool soaker to go over your Kiwi Pie Fitted, check out this great tutorial for using Kool-Aid to dye your wool here!**

*This post contains affiliate links.

My First D.I.Y. Wool Soaker!

2013/04 By Lauren B. Stevens 6 Comments

I’m relatively new to using wool, and new to knitting (I just started in February). However, I love using wool so much that I decided to attempt to knit my own soaker. I searched the internet for patterns, and came across a couple of free soaker patterns that I decided to try (I’m currently working on another pattern). The first pattern I decided to try is a by a Finnish woman and can be found on the Ottobre Design website. This particular soaker is knitted with straight needles, and is then stitched together at the very end.
Without photos of the finished product, I really was on my own. I won’t tell you how many times I had to restart this project due to mistakes at the very beginning (remember, I’m a beginner). Before this project, I had only worked with a knit stitch, so I had to learn purling to do the waistband ribbing. Counting stitches proved to be my biggest hurdle:

While this is a beautiful moss stitch, it’s not what I needed. This is a photo of one of the many times I had to undo my knitting and start over. But, I finally got the hang of it (and learned a lot in the process):

Since becoming pregnant and having a baby, I’ve noticed that I have a difficult time paying attention to television shows or movies. I’ve found that knitting helps me to focus more and it relaxes me. It is definitely teaching me patience as well!

This pattern forced me to learn a lot of different knitting techniques: increases, decreasing rows, and the mattress stitch to name a few. Thank goodness for the internet and YouTube — I can’t tell you how many tutorials I watched throughout the process of making this!

While it took me a few weeks to get this done, realistically, this project could get done in a week (knitting in the evenings, as I do). I sat on the project for a few weeks at the end, before attempting to stitch it together. I am not great at sewing, so the thought of having to learn a special stitch (mattress stitch) and sew the whole thing together was overwhelming.
I finally did complete the soaker, and have an amazing sense of satisfaction in having completed this! I love it, imperfections and all.