Using a Rebourne Prefold as an Insert

Are you wondering how you can cloth diaper your baby with Rebourne organic prefold diapers? Here is the quick video I made on using my diapers as inserts in AIOs and fitteds. I will make a new video on using the prefolds in a Nifty Nappy Woolie Wrap today!

I had a potential customer email me a few weeks ago. She asked if it was possible to simply lay a prefold or insert into a Woolie Wrap without using pins or a snappi. I responded, “No, I don’t think it is. I have never done it and I don’t see it working well.”

Hmm, well WRONG. SO WRONG.

I did it last week and was actually really surprised to find that I love using a prefold in a Woolie Wrap, simply laid in it. It seems like it wouldn’t work, but it resulted in a trimmer and more comfortable fit for my baby. There was much less bulk on the sides of the diaper and I snapped the cover a little bit tighter as a result. The diaper didn’t move around at all, and even poo (though we’re at the solid stage) isn’t an issue. Vid coming!

Remember that cloth diapering is such a personal journey. Try and experiment with different diapers and covers and setups. The worst that can happen is some pee and poo, right?!?!

Schools in Philadelphia

With three young children, schools are a big consideration in where we choose to live. We currently live in Philadelphia, a city with a terrible public education reputation.

We chose to homeschool last fall, partly as a result of that reputation. We had not won the lotteries the previous year to get our oldest daughter into a charter school. We were scared and worried about safety, exposure, education, class size, and outdoor time at public school. After a few months of trying to homeschool, it was obvious it wasn’t working out for our family. We decided to enroll our oldest in public kindergarten. We lucked out in that our local school has a good reputation for high family involvement, excellent staff, and a strong community. We were able to start her right away! She has flourished at school and she almost always loves going.

We applied to a charter school for next fall. Out of hundreds of applicants, she got in! It is called Green Woods, and it is an environmental education school. The kids hike everyday and have tons of time outdoors. They learn about different ecosystems each year and study hands-on in the woods every day.

I’m so excited for Sage to go there, as I really think it will help foster her love for learning and love for the outdoors. I can’t wait to hear her excitement over bugs and critters and trees!

Are you blessed by positive public schools or the ability to afford private school for your kids? Did your decision to homeschool flow from a lack of strong public education?

As we navigate these school years with our kids, I’m so grateful to my parents, to my teachers, and to my friends who are now educating in their homes or as their full time (or part time) jobs. You are making a difference!

Rebourne Videos on YouTube

I’m working on forming a Rebourne YouTube channel. My goal is to make educational videos about how to care for cloth diapers and wool diaper covers, and also the accessories I sell. I am slowly learning iMovie and getting the hang of things. I hope it will be a place that you Mamas can go to and have your questions answered with visuals and practical tips.

Split Pants for Elimination Communication

I recently had an order for size 12 month wool split pants. Courtney does elimination communication with her 8 month old, part time. She wanted pants that he could grow into.

We decided on this bright red upcycled merino wool, and I got to work. As I thought about the length, I asked her if she’d like me to put elastic in the leg hem. She said yes, so I put 1/4″ elastic encased in the legs so that they don’t trip Baby as he learns to walk.
The pants have an overlapping seam on the front and back. Here is a detailed shot of the overlap:

I love how they turned out. The waist band is new merino wool/lycra blend that has already been felted. It is super stretchy and will do well over a cloth diaper or just on his skin. I hope these help Courtney on her EC journey.

Organic Prefold Diapers

Did you know I now make organic cotton prefold diapers? Did you know that I’m having a penny giveaway for two organic prefold diapers on the Rebourne Facebook page? All you need to do is to comment on the photo with your biggest gripe about cloth diapering.

What is the biggest issue you face when you’re not wanting to cloth diaper?

What is the biggest issue you faced when considering to cloth diaper?

What is the biggest issue that caused you to quit cloth diapering?

I’d love to hear from you! I’m going to wrap up the contest on Friday, so get your vote in here!

Shop Local Love

I refuse to go grocery shopping, Target shopping, clothes shopping, or pharmacy shopping with my kids. It is not enjoyable and leads to mommy and kid melt downs. When my kids turn 25 I’ll go shopping with them again. Until then, I will admit that I rely on Amazon, my husband, and stores open til midnight.

This morning I got to experience my local shopping love. Hubs had the baby and the girls were at school. I rode my bike to our local parcel shop and get a quote for printing some wool care pamphlets, and then I had to go to our local hardware store. I had three agendas for the hardware store. They were funny and super random.

1) have them rig my bike flag in the front of the bike (it’s been in the back of the box, blinding me and whipping in my face)

success:

2) have them help me build a DIY kettlebell (they only had some of the parts, but I’m on my way!)

If you haven’t read ’4 Hour Body’, I highly recommend it

3) have them show me what hardware I needed to hang my driftwood branch

I love local customer service and genuine help.

Finished quilt!

I finished the quilt I have been working on for a few months. My aunt traveled around the world by herself 20-something years ago. While in Bali, she watched the local women hand-batiking cloth that they made into skirts, pants, wall hangings, etc. She gifted me some of her vintage skirts and fabric from the trip, including two big patchwork quilt tops.

She gave me one of the quilt tops in return for making the other one into a quilt for her!

I was honored to do this job for my aunt.  She was very close to my mom and has been such an emotional and practical support since my mom passed. My mom had made a handful of beautiful home dec items for my aunt’s home: pillows, window treatments, etc. It felt nice to channel my mom’s inner giving spirit in making the quilt.

However, my mom would have hand quilted and hand applied the bias binding. I machine sewed both of those!! I’m much less of a perfectionist, and I know that I just don’t have the time for hand sewing right now. My aunts will love it either way, and if I set out to hand sew it, I would put it off for years.

I am having to patch some holes in the quilt top, which has been trying. I really don’t enjoy hand sewing unless it’s decorative embroidery.

Details: I used organic cotton batting that I got for 40% off (with coupon) at A.C. Moore. The backing was purchased at my local discount fabric store. I machine quilted on the diagonal, pseudo-stitching-in-the-ditch on my industrial Singer sewing machine. I handmade the bias tape from fabric from my stash using one of these.

It’s super cozy, and I’ve enjoyed cuddling up under it while repairing the holes.  Quilting always reminds me of my mom and her meticulous hand stitching. It also reminds me of her millions of pairs of reading glasses, how she could never thread her needles, and her hilarious expletives when she realized she made a big mistake.