moondancemama

November 08 update

2008-11-17T12:42:00.006+10:00

Thanks for dropping by! Hello to all the Nappycino members, and I promise that some wonderful developments for Rainbows pads really are coming...

If you are weary of checking back for news here, try using Bloglines or similar for an RSS feed and you'll be able to read any updates straight away.

Thanks to all my loyal customers, you're fantastic!

Em xxx

Watch this space :)

2008-03-31T13:17:00.000+10:00

Lots of exciting things coming soon :)

Quiet in here!

2007-11-27T20:50:00.001+10:00

Sorry for those people who've been checking in to see if there is anything happening - there isn't, in terms of restocking the Ozebaby store. I've been very much busy with my family.

But I'm still working on a way to have Rainbows pads supplied more readily, so am hoping to have some good news on that in the New Year :)

In the meantime, if you'd like to submit a review, feel free to add one to this new cloth pads review site.

Thankyou for the ongoing support I've had from so many people! :)

Restock update for Oct

2007-10-08T12:20:00.001+10:00

It won't be happening this week, sorry!

I need some time to sew and right now there is no time... but I am trying to squeeze some in and I will post when there is some hope of a restock.

Thanks!
Em :)

Moondancemama Restock - October

2007-09-22T16:07:00.000+10:00

Wow our life has been *busy* - I've had the calender out to try and work out a restock date for people who are waiting/checking, and it looks like Wednesday October 10th might work ok.

There will be Liners, Flexis, MaxiQDs, some PPs and maybe a few extra suprises.

Velour and PUL at my Ozebaby store are fast running out so I will set them to preview while I'm busy/away during school holidays.

Thanks for your patience and support!
Cheers
Em :)

Well it's Friday...

2007-08-31T12:31:00.000+10:00

and those restocks I've promised aren't ready yet!

Sorry if you've been waiting on them, but life throws us other things (constantly it seems, when there are children in the mix, lol) and I've had a few lately :)

This week I've spent a lot of time on a copyright infringement problem, so unfortunately that has cut into the bit of time set aside for sewing.

And in order to keep perspective and keep being the mum I need to be for those most important people, my kids, we have been doing stuff in the garden, the kitchen, and with our friends - see my other blog for more - so there has been lots of good stuff happening here, as well as some not so great stuff.

I'll post when I have some stock ready to go again, but in the meantime, have a good weekend; hope the weather is beautiful where you are. Ours is spectacular at the moment and we are making the most of it! :)

Rainbows cloth pads design shape

2007-08-28T08:53:00.000+10:00

Here is an example of Rainbows design shape that is used in Slim, Flexi and MaxiQD pads. This was created in September 2004 and has been sold online to customers in Australia and the US since June 2005.

This shape is covered by copyright under Australian law; this exact combination of front/back length (they are different), wing width and outer curves is the design to which I own copyright . Other people using this exact design shape is illegal, whether the copying was intentional or not. Construction method and fabric type is irrelevant; it's the exact design shape that is covered by copyright.

Wednesday stock update

2007-08-22T12:21:00.000+10:00

Some more family things have come up so I won't add any more stock to the shop this week as planned. I'll wait till there is some space here - maybe next week - and post on Nappycino and on here before listing more stock.

Sorry if you've been waiting in the MaxiQDs, they *will* come, just not this week.

Thankyou so much to all the buyers who've been helping me out by emailing when you pay - it's made the workload easier.

Cheers
Em :)

Sunday night stocking update

2007-08-19T21:12:00.001+10:00

Wow, I'm overwhelmed by the response to this stocking! It is great to have what I make appreciated :)

So, now there is a mountain of paperwork to work through - computer entries and emails to process all of the sales, checking payments and packing orders... so there *is* more stock to come this week but I'll add it once I'm on top of existing orders. If you have an existing order, you can help me a lot by adding your order number to your bank payment transfer, and emailing me to say that you have sent payment - it saves a lot of time at this end, so I get to sew more ;)

In the meantime I've added a custom slot auction, for those who missed out and really wanted a particular pattern or style.

Still to come this week - more Flexis and Liners, some Maxi Quick Drys and, if the stars align, maybe some more PPs :)

Thanks for your support and all your kind words, it makes what I do worthwhile!

Cheers
Em :)

Saturday night - stocking time

2007-08-18T18:03:00.000+10:00

Just a quick post in case anyone is waiting for the store to open - I won't be setting anything to live until after 8.30pm (Qld time), once the kids are in bed and I've cleaned up dinner...

Happy shopping!
:)

PS eta - there is more stock and I will re-list when I get time. Still more Maxi Quick Drys to come this week, and some Minky Liners if I get them finished...

Ozebaby restocking update - Thursday

2007-08-16T16:53:00.000+10:00

I've set up a couple of auctions, and will load the other listings as I get time over the next week.

There are lots of Flexi pads (light-moderate flow) and Liners (very light to in-between times). A few post partum/overnight pads and a few Maxi Quick Dry wings to come as well.

Fabrics this time include lots of BV, some lush Avlyn Minky, hand dyed silk, hemp velour, and organic cotton velour...

Enjoy!

:)

Ozebaby Restocking postponed

2007-08-11T09:06:00.000+10:00

The store restocking planned for this Sunday 12th August will be postponed.

My partner's mum has been in hospital this week and is now expected to die sometime this weekend; we are waiting to see how things unfold. So I will try to finish any existing orders and let people know if there is a delay, but otherwise I might not be around.

Thanks for understanding :)

Wednesday 8th Aug

2007-08-06T06:57:00.000+10:00

There are a few liners previewing, I'll set them to live later in the week :)

We are getting better, still v tired from the beating our bodies took with the flu, so not taking on too much.

But I'm working through some Flexis (gorgeous prints, lots of bamboo velour and some del-ushious Minky!) and hope to have them finished next week.

Cheers
Em :)

Wednesday update

2007-08-01T09:08:00.000+10:00

Still horribly sick here, so off to the doctor today. I will post existing orders as people pay for them.

When the Ozebaby store re-opens there will be lots of velour and organics to come and a few extra special fabrics thrown in :)

Rainbows pads to come (when I've finished sewing Caroline's custom and some special pads) include - BV and OCV Flexis and a few Minky Liners... but the sewing machine is turned off for a few days while I try to get better.

The silver lining to this bout of sickness is that my boys are old enough to wipe their own bottoms and make their own sandwiches :) They are great kids; even through their own sickness they are trying to help me out by bringing drinks of water and giving lots of cuddles.

Sunday night

2007-07-29T19:47:00.001+10:00

I've taken the store off Ozebaby for a few days as we are sick sick sick. Truly horrible fevers, nausea and blinding headaches. My biggest boy and I are both down with it, so I'll get back when I can.

Thanks :)

Wednesday night update

2007-07-25T23:55:00.000+10:00

Just a quick update in case anyone follows the link from Ozebaby; I've set everything to preview there for a few days to hold off the orders - I'm swamped with fabric orders at the moment and I need to catch up on sewing.

I'll change everything back to buy-able on Saturday evening :)

Thanks!

A few Liners to go on Ozebaby

2007-07-24T21:22:00.000+10:00

http://www.ozebaby.com.au/store.php?SS=4

I've set them to preview and will change them to live on Saturday evening.

There are more Liners in new prints (previous post/pics) but I'm sewing a few special things atm, so I will load the new prints over the next few weeks...

In the meantime there is still a lot of gorgeous velour and organics up for grabs! :D

Why does it cost so much to buy a WAHM-made item...

2007-07-21T09:07:00.000+10:00

... when I can make it myself and it really isn't that difficult?

Over the years that I've been around cloth nappy forums I've seen this question raised a lot wrt nappies, and as cloth pads have become more popular I've seen it applied to cloth pads as well...

I came across this http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/why.html recently and thought what a great discussion it was of this subject. She has covered it well.

:)

July Update :)

2007-07-15T13:56:00.000+10:00

We had some lovely breaks over the last month and are back home again, into the routine of school and business...

I'm planning another sewing round in the next month, and will be working on Flexi pads in some of the gorgeous prints pictured below - with more Bamboo Velour Heaven!

I'm also very happy to say that, after testing with a great group of testers earlier in the year, I'll be adding Minky to your choice of top fabrics. Incredibly lush and soft, and oh so comfortable to wear - Minky topped pads will be stocking at Moondancemama sometime in the next month :D

A *big* order of cotton velour has arrived and I'll be selling this as fabric cuts on Ozebaby - beautiful bright colours, and deliciously soft! I'll also be selling off some of my hard to get organic fabrics, so if you'd like to add organic BKT, sherpa or velour to your home-sewn nappy stash, here is your chance :)

There will also be a few new suprises to add to the stock at Moondancemama, if I get a little bit more sewing time ;)

Thanks for all your support and please let me know how you are going with your Rainbows pads if you are a new user of them - I'll always try to help if I can :)

Cheers
Em :)

2007-07-11T12:00:00.000+10:00

Moondancemama Birthday Competition

...has been drawn and the winner is Caroline! (edited to add this)

Thankyou so much for all your comments and entries - I have loved reading them, and sharing your cloth journey. It is *fantastic* to see so many women using cloth!

Cheers
Em :)

New Liner Print Pics

2007-06-07T11:12:00.001+10:00

I have tried to finish a batch of Liners before our month off - a few new prints - they aren't snapped yet but here are pics. I'll keep adding pics as I can get them - very overcast here so I've rigged up a light tent (thanks to Vicki at Bubblebubs for her links!) and hopefully the colours are somewhere near the mark.

These will be stocked at Ozebaby in mid-July; no stockings up till then b/c I will be offline. And there will be Flexis in most of these new prints as well :)

Enjoy! :)

Butterflies on Black/Fuschia BV, Wildfire/natural NV, Under The Sea/Turquoise BV, Swirling Sashes/natural BV, Sashes&'mums/Violet Silk, Roses in Snow/natural BV, Sunset Secrets/natural BV, Its A Chick Thing/ natural BV, Batik Daisy/Turquoise BV, Romantic/natural BV, Filigree Batik/natural BV, Paisley on Blue/natural BV, Batik Luxury/Turquoise BV, Frangiapani/natural BV, Sashes& 'mums/natural BV, Kalaedescope Windows/Fuschia BV.

And some old prints : Butterfly Batik, Eyes of The World, Plum Blossom, Chrysanthemums on Black, Sweet Jane - all with natural BV except ChrysOnBlack which are teamed with Black hemp silk.

It's Birthday Month here!

2007-06-01T12:12:00.000+10:00

Two years since I began sewing Rainbows pads for other people and it's my 37th birthday this month! I love getting older, love being inside my skin, as wrinkly and tired as it is some days ;)

I'm away travelling and offline for most of the time between June 6th - July 6th... so I won't be checking or answering emails in this time.

But I'd like to celebrate the cloth journey with other women - so for 37 days (June 1st to July 7th) I'll be running a competition - your chance to win a custom-made Rainbows pad. From 1st June to the 7th July you can email me your feedback on cloth pads – tell me why you like using them, and nominate the favourites from your stash. Use the header “Moondancemama Competition – Your Name” and email your entry to moondancemama@hotmail.com to go into the draw.

The winner will be drawn and announced on July 8th - you will choose the style and fabric you’d like and I will make it for you before the end of July :)

Good luck!

Nappycino fundraiser auction on Buyena

2007-05-29T13:21:00.000+10:00

Tanya has organised Buyena auctions for donated goods, to raise some funds for Jo and the team at Nappycino - the auctions can be found here http://www.buyforbaby.com.au/otheritems.php?owner=237&nick=tangotanya

This is a fantastic cause - Nappycino is an excellent resource and support for the cloth nappy community!

I sent this off to Tanya last week, so it will probably go up sometime this week :) It's a Bamboo Velour Heaven Flexi pad + Booster : natural Bamboo Organic Cotton velour top, 2 layers 100% bamboo lightwgt fleece soakers, full layer of 100% OC jersey, back layer of Sweet Jane OC print. Booster is Sweet Jane print/Bamboo fleece/PUL. Engraved butterfly snaps to fasten :)

Happy bidding! :D

Thursday - more stock on Ozebaby

2007-05-24T16:23:00.001+10:00

There will be some more stock to go on Ozebaby - I'll resize pics, write descriptions and set all to preview tonight if I get time... will change them to sale tomorrow (again if there is time).

Almost all BV Liners, but a few other bits too.

Reviews for Cloth Pads

2007-05-24T11:10:00.000+10:00

It is so useful to read honest objective reviews of products (not just the ones you love), and there aren't a lot of cloth pad review boards around.

Here are a few I know of :

for Aus/NZ users :
http://www.nappycino.com.au (go to Product Reviews)

and for US/other users :
http://www.moonhutnaturals.com (go to Forums/Reviews) http://www.diaperpin.com (go to Reviews)

It would be fab to see more reviews out there - so if you have pads in your stash that you have an opinion on, take a few moments to post a review or two!

:D

Warranty for Rainbows pads

2007-05-23T16:37:00.002+10:00

Recently I was contacted for the first pad return under warranty since I began selling Rainbows almost 2 years ago.

Although the customer had purchased them some time ago, she had only used them post partum, then started using them again recently and noticed a fault.

So I've decided to change Rainbows warranty to 3 months from date of purchase for regular use, and 6months from date of purchase for post-partum use. I hope this is a fairer way of offering warranty.

If you find a fault with any of your Rainbows pads within these warranty periods, please let me know so that I can help you by either repairing or replacing the product. Depending on how much sewing time I have, and the extent of the fault, we can discuss a result that will suit us both!

Thanks for all your feedback and support!

Em :)

edited to update - 31 March 2008

Mod Green Pod fabrics

2007-05-22T11:17:00.000+10:00

http://www.modgreenpod.com/print_collection.html

I've been lusting after these for a while now. Yum!

Butterflies and Rainbows

2007-05-20T10:13:00.000+10:00

Isn't this Butterfly batik print beautiful? I managed to sneak a few other pads in with sewing tester pads and will try to get them onto Ozebaby this week... the Butterfly batik with natural Bamboo/OC Velour (Flexi pad + Purple PUL booster), and a few Liners in Rainbow flannelette/bamboo inner/natural 100% cotton Velour.

There are also a few leftover pads from the last stocking - it is very possible that I've miscounted b/c there were a lot of pads there. BUT if anyone finds there is something missing from their order, please contact me asap on moondancemama@hotmail.com (pretty certain that this isn't the case, but you never know!)

Gorgeous weather here today, so I'll be out in the garden this afternoon, will check emails tonight :)

Cheers
Em :)

Divacup!

2007-05-18T13:14:00.000+10:00

Just had to say (again) how much I love my Divacup...

http://www.divacup.com

I wish I'd known about these when I was a teenager and had to go to swimming training at some ungodly hour with a horrible horrible disposable product jammed in my vagina and toe curling cramps... the joys of medieval boarding schools. If only I'd had the gumption to tell them to stick swimming training up their budgie smugglers...

Love my Diva cup :D

Velour cuts on Ozebaby

2007-05-17T13:46:00.000+10:00

I'm selling off a bit more of my Cotton Velour stash :)

http://www.ozebaby.com.au/store.php?SS=4

Cotton velour (with greater than 70% cotton content) is lovely in nappies, wipes, pads, soft toys, pillows, kids clothes... gorgeous stuff to wear in winter, and so tactile and lush.

There are more colours available - please ask if you are looking for a particular colour, and I will try to help!

Ozebaby stocking finished

2007-05-11T08:18:00.000+10:00

That is all the stock finished - a few auctions left to run, and a few boosters left instock, but until I get another chance to sew, that is it for a while :)

Thankyou to everyone! I hope you love your purchases, but if you have any questions or problems, please contact me :)

Cheers,
Em :)

Ozebaby orders shipping

2007-05-09T14:48:00.000+10:00

Thanks for all your support!

We are still sick here, but everything else is going ok :)

All orders with cleared payments have been shipped yesterday and this afternoon - which is most of them :)

I will wait a bit longer to set the last stock to Live on Ozebaby, but have updated the quantities, so what you can see now is what is left. And added some auctions for the last PP/HeavyOvernight pads, for ppl who miss the stock going live...

And just for a little peek - a hemp blend print I bought over a year ago, when I bought my first Harmony Art prints... I'm working up to using it with some bamboo velour :)

Tuesday, D day

2007-05-08T08:54:00.000+10:00

Life has a way of changing plans...

Today the only thing I had scheduled was attending a phone link-up with court, to hear my DIVORCE granted (hooray!!) ...it's almost like graduating, I was thinking I might frame the document and hang it next to my BHons certificate :)

The rest of today was for packing orders.

:)

But one of the boys was sick a few days ago, and is still recovering, but now the other is too - it's a viral something - temps over 40 but no infections... so a matter of waiting it out. Anyhoo, we have had some wakeful nights, vommitting in bed, the usual fun stuff - and now I am fighting off a headcold. So it is go-slow here :)

I'll keep working through shipping paid orders, but it may not be as quick as I had planned.

And there are more pads to list on Ozebaby, but I won't put them up till we are clear of this patch and caught up on existing orders.

Thanks for understanding :)
Em

Monday monday

2007-05-07T12:29:00.000+10:00

Baby Dominic arrived on Friday afternoon and will be 3 days old in a few hours. He is beautiful :) My sister is well, but recovering from a CS, so if she needs me everything else will come second...

I will try to catch up on admin work for all the Ozebaby orders this afternoon (thankyou so much for all your support, I'm feeling a little overawed by it atm)
- to process the orders I need to send out payment requests, enter detailed invoices into my bookeeping package, check off any paid orders, print invoices and care info sheets, sort out and package orders... so there is a lot to work through. I will be working on getting paid orders mailed asap.

There is more stock to load, but if I am behind with the admin work I won't list more stock till that is caught up. So if nothing is listed tomorrow, you'll know that I am catching up!

I am feeling a little overwhelmed by people's interest and willingness to pay what I feel are high prices, although I know the amount of work and care that goes into sourcing unique material and sewing a quality product, but I do want buyers to know that if they are not happy with their purchase, for any reason, to please contact me. I would like to think that you are happy that you are getting a quality product.

Another note for people who have bought multiple items but have not tried Rainbows before - I always like people to try something before buying a lot of a brand, so I would recommend that you wash and try *one* of your Rainbows pads, and if the cut or shape don't suit your body, you are still able to re-sell the others as unused pads. In addition, any faults are covered by a 2month warranty from the date of purchase - I will replace or refund your purchase - so *please* let me know if you have any concerns!

Thankyou for all the support I've recieved, it is quite wonderful to see so many women using cloth and enjoying the cloth journey :D

Cheers

Em :)

~Friday~

2007-05-04T14:15:00.000+10:00

Still waiting on babyX to arrive!! :D

I've sorted through the stack of pads that will go up on Ozebaby, and I think that instead of loading them all over the weekend, I will load a few up every day, as well as having some listings set aside for first-time buyers - I hope that this allows new people and those with limited time/slow connection speeds to have a chance of buying something...

In other news, more beautiful hemp-silk arrived today, so I'm looking forward to sewing up some more pads with it - it is so lush teamed with Bamboo Velour!

Have a fab weekend :D

Thursday night

2007-05-03T20:47:00.000+10:00

Still waiting on my sister's baby :)

But I'm almost done uploading pics for the Ozebaby stocking http://www.ozebaby.com.au/store.php?SS=4

Here is most of the colour range for this round of PostPartum pads - I love them! From L to R - Pink BV, Violet OCV, Purple OCV, Natural BV and Violet BV... the BV takes the dye so well, it has a gorgeous lustre that the pics can't capture...

Enjoy! :D

I might be an Aunty today!!

2007-05-03T06:23:00.000+10:00

:D

My sister is being induced this morning, so I may or may not get time to finish uploading listings for the Ozebaby restock.

It's very exciting news that we will see her baby soon, but we are all a little anxious about the induction... not anything like the birth she had planned, so I hope it all goes ok.

Babies are so precious :D

Ozebaby Restock

2007-05-02T12:30:00.000+10:00

I've set an auction up on my Ozebaby store http://www.ozebaby.com.au/store.php?SS=4 and will change it to Active later today. In the meantime I will keep photographing, uploading and writing descriptions for the stocking, which I *hope* to have finished by Thurs evening... the listings will go live sometime over the weekend, so that people have plenty of time to see them before buying :)

In this stocking there will be :

- PostPartum pads - Bamboo OC Velour, hand dyed and natural; and hand dyed Organic Cotton Sherpa

- Liners - Bamboo OC Velour, hand dyed with quilting cotton prints

- Liners - Bamboo OC Velour, natural with Harmony Art prints

- Boosters - hemp/PUL, and cotton print/hemp/PUL

**BUT (the big but) - my sister is 38wks pregnant and is in hospital with high BP; she may be induced sometime soon, but we don't know yet. So if I am needed there, the stocking may be delayed... if so I will try to post on here to update timeframes.

Thanks for all your patience, hope you like these new pads, I'm still totally in love with Bamboo Velour!! This stuff is a bit special too - it is 70/30 Bamboo-Organic Cotton Velour, not commercial cotton... enjoy!!

Custom Order pics

2007-05-01T21:32:00.000+10:00

A few pics of the custom order that I sent off today. The pics don't do the colours justice but I'll post some anyways ;) They are so pretty :)

In the end this is what I created :

(1) Post Partum of hand dyed Turquoise Bamboo Velour with bamboo soakers and a gorgeous batik print backing

(2) A Flexi of natural Bamboo Velour and Violet hand dyed hemp silk Charmeuse - gorgeous lustre and sooo soft!!

It was so much fun to do something special and different from the usual - thanks so much to the winning bidder for the opportunity! :D

Still sewing...

2007-04-26T12:12:00.000+10:00

There is a lot happening in our little family, but I am still working through the sewing list to re-stock Moondancemama at Ozebaby... soon!

This morning I've been working on the winner's custom order from the Buyena charity auction, and it is refreshing to be playing with fabric again :)

A few pics of some of the fabric I've been working with this morning - it has a lot of fine detail in the resistance-dyed pattern, v beautiful in real life.

Rainbows Post-Partum pad : hand-dyed purple BambooVelour top with a batik print quilting cotton back, 100%bamboo french terry soakers; snap-in booster of bamboo, hemp, batik print and seaspray PUL on the back... thinking I'll use my new heart engraved snaps (pic above) to finish this :)

Back on deck :)

2007-04-19T11:11:00.000+10:00

...after a fantastic week of downtime :) V refreshed!

To quickly update - I have commitments this weekend, so will aim to finish sewing/snapping next week. Then list and preview.

Thanks for all your patience!

Offline for a few days...

2007-04-11T17:37:00.000+10:00

I won't be online from Thur-Sun :) So if you need to contact me, I'll be checking messages Mon...

Something extra special :D

2007-04-10T08:06:00.000+10:00

There's an extra special suprise in the pipeline here that I haven't shared with you yet... will keep it under wraps a bit longer, but just had to say how excited I am!!! Oh, and it is *sewing* - not family related, rofl.

I've had *so* much fun over the last few weeks, it's been fab to have time to sew and create and submerge myself in fabric again. Love the dyed fabrics, love the new Harmony Art prints, just *love* my Bamboo/Organic Cotton Velour!!

~happy dance~

:D

Easter Monday

2007-04-09T14:45:00.000+10:00

Hot Chilli Mamas! I'm doing some funky boosters up for the Ozebaby stocking - a great cheap way to add a waterproofing option to your existing non-waterproofed pads :) They are the same size boosters as those in the Rainbows Flexis, but with a cotton print layer on the top. I really like this chilli print - and I remember when I bought it for my quilting stash... over 5 years ago, so it's kind of nice to be using it!!

Update on the pad sewing - the overlocker is still a problem, but I've overlocked all the PPs and Liners. Am cutting PUL for PP boosters now and hope to have them overlocked (fingers crossed) tomorrow. After that, still need to backthread ends and snap pads and boosters.

Then take pics, write descriptions, and upload for Previewing... we are away Thur-Sun so it won't be happening till next week at the earliest.

Hope everyone had a great Easter break! :)

another blog for me

2007-04-06T12:35:00.000+10:00

http://danceofsmallthings.blogspot.com/

To catch some memories and not clog up the space here :)

Rainbows Custom auction on Buyena has started

2007-04-04T10:29:00.000+10:00

This auction is to raise funds to help supply/ship cloth pads to charity and aid organisations for women in need. www.donatepads.org There are a series of auctions on Buyena, for a range of cloth pad brands. Please support this cause generously!

www.buyena.com

Here are the details for the Rainbows Custom auction :

*2 pads from the Rainbows mamapads range

*against-the-skin layer from my collection of natural fibre velours, including colourful cotton blends, organic cotton, bamboo/OC, and hemp velour. Hand-dyed fabrics are subject to availability. Silky soft Malden Mills microfleece and microchamois are available for people who prefer synthetic stay-dry tops. And a small amount of hand-dyed hemp-silk is also available for this auction.

*soaker layers of non/organic hemp or bamboo

*backing layers of non/organic hemp or cotton OR non/organic cotton prints from a huge range of quality fabrics (Liners and Flexis only)

*waterproof fabric from a range of 2mil PUL colours, OR superfelted wool interlock.

*plain or engraved resin snaps from a range of colours

On winning this auction please email me to let me know the styles you would like, and we can discuss your fabric choices. Please allow 3 weeks for delivery after finalising your choices. If you have any questions, please email me at moondancemama@hotmail.com

Have a look at my gallery pics on http://www.ozebaby.com.au/store.php?SS=4, read the info here, let your imagination go, and bid up to support other women!

Quick sewing update

2007-04-03T14:04:00.000+10:00

The overlocker seems to be back in the land of usefulness, so I hope to get on it tonight.

PP pads are about 1/3 of the way through construction. Liners are 3/4 done.

I've ordered more engraved snaps, including a new heart design, so they should be here in time for snapping :)

Today we had swimming lessons, then the school cross country, and soon it will be school pick-up time. I've got some after-school chores to run around town before we can come home. The vege patch needs watering (bucketing rainwater) and it's washing day for school uniforms so we have enough for the week... and I need to help organise Show & Share for school on Thurs. So a few things to catch up on with the home front :) But we are getting there.

New Organic Prints from Harmony Art

2007-04-03T13:42:00.000+10:00

These gorgeous low impact dyed prints (100% organic cotton) are winging their way across the ocean. They are from the Harmony Art collection www.harmonyart.com and appeal to me on several levels - I love the stories of their creation - and so many of my childhood memories are filled with the small things of nature, details of leaf veins and the patterns in bark... tiny treasures that you don't see until you are still for long enough... here are a few of my favourites : L to R - Pink Moon, Let It Grow, Silent Stumps

Rainbows Pads Specs and Fabrics

2007-04-02T12:13:00.000+10:00

Specs for Rainbows Pads : there is some variation in measurements due to freestyle overlocking and fabric stretch.

Rainbows Post-Partum
pad + waterproof booster
heavy flow
32-3cm long, wing width 15.5cm, snapped crotch width 6-7cm
Velour top, hemp or bamboo internal soakers, hemp/cotton backing. Snap-on Booster of hemp or bamboo with PUL backing – this feature is unique to Rainbows designs.

Rainbows Maxi Quick Dry
AIO with waterproof strip
moderate flow
26-7cm long, wing width 15.5cm, snapped crotch width 6-7cm
Velour top, hemp back and fold-out soaker wings over wetzone, PUL strip on back of wetzone soaker – these soaker wings are unique to Rainbows designs.

Rainbows Flexi
pad + waterproof booster
moderate-light flow
26-7cm long, wing width 15.5cm, snapped crotch width 6-7cm
Velour top, hemp/bamboo internal soaker, hemp/cotton back. Hemp/cotton/bamboo and PUL backed Lay-in booster.

Rainbows Slim
AIO pad with waterproof strip
moderate-light flow
26-7cm long, wing width 15.5cm, snapped crotch width 6-7cm
Velour top, hemp/bamboo internal soaker, hemp/cotton back, PUL strip sewn to back.

Rainbows Liner
pad, no waterproofing
very light flow
21-22cm long, wing width 15.5cm, snapped crotch width 6-7cm
Velour top, bamboo/hemp internal layer, cotton print back

Rainbows Booster
booster only
24-25cm long, 6cm wide
PUL-backed hemp/cotton/bamboo Lay-in booster for extra absorbency and protection on non-waterproofed pads.

These designs are the same lengths and wing-widths as the originals, created in 2004/05.

Rainbows pads *are* a slim-cut, so if you prefer a wider-cut pad, or need a pad with a wide back/front section, I can recommend other brands that may suit your needs.

Fabrics :

I use stretch fabrics, or woven fabrics cut in a special way, to maintain the wing-stretch of the design - this gives the slim custom fit which is a feature of Rainbows mamapads.

Depending on which style you have purchased, the fabric combination will be from the following :
Cotton velour blend – 80-85% cotton, 20-15% polyester
Cotton velour white & natural - 100% cotton, 13oz/y
Organic velour - 100% organic cotton, 10.8oz/y
Bamboo velour – 70% bamboo, 30% organic cotton
Hemp velour - 48% hemp, 39% organic cotton, 13% poly
Velvet/velveteen – 100% cotton
Hemp fleece/terry – 45% cotton, 55% hemp
Hemp/OC fleece/terry - 45% organic cotton, 55% hemp
Bamboo Fleece (lightweight) & French Terry – 100% bamboo
Organic jersey - 100% organic cotton
Hemp jersey – 45% cotton, 55% hemp
Burley Knit Terry - 85% cotton, 15% polyester
Organic Heavy Wgt terry - 100% organic cotton, 19oz/y
Bamboo/cotton terry – 70% bamboo, 30% cotton
Organic Sherpa - 100% organic cotton, 16.25oz/y
Organic flannel - 100% organic cotton, 8oz/y
Corduroy – 100% cotton
Drill - 100% cotton
Flannellette – 100% cotton
Woven cotton prints - 100% cotton
Organic sateen & knit prints- 100% organic cotton dyed with low impact dyes
Hemp print - 60% hemp, 40% cotton
Hemp silk print - 60% hemp, 40% silk
Hemp silk Charmeuse - 60% silk, 40% hemp
Malden Mills microfleece & microchamois – 100% polyester
PUL – 100% polyester knit with 2mil polyurethane laminate
Wool interlock - 97% wool, 3% lycra

All knit fabrics and wool is hot washed and dried before cutting, to prevent shrinkage and colour run in the finished product.

Sunday night

2007-04-01T19:39:00.000+10:00

The overlocker is still not on track, so I cut out the rest of the bamboo inners for the PPs and had some time cooking and hanging out with the kidlets. We had verjuice-roasted chook for dinner - yum!

There are actually a lot of pieces to go into Rainbows PPs - 5 different template shapes for the pad and 2 for the booster. All handcut, and re-trimmed before overlocking. And 11 separate steps in the construction process after that.

There was another step with all the pads - embroidering a symbol to show the front of the pad - but I've decided to drop this out from now on; it's time-consuming and often difficult to finish well. So I guess the best way to work it out will be to remember that the stud (stickyout part of the snap) is on the LHS... the front of Rainbows pads are slightly longer than the backs so it can be difficult to tell at a glance.

It's a school and kindy day tomorrow, so hopefully I can get the overlocker running smoothly with some quiet time.

Saturday night

2007-03-31T20:48:00.000+10:00

yesterday was one of those fantastic sewing days when everything works :)

today was not. My overlocker is giving me problems that I'm, as yet, unable to fix. I'll keep working on it, but it is most of a whole day lost and lots of seconds pads created... not uncommon, but disappointing... so, hopefully it will be up and running again soon.

This coming week has a fair bit on in our lives, and after Easter we are having a week off, so I hope I can get this lot done before our Easter break.

So far, Liners are overlocked and still need backthreading and snapping. They look fantastic, I'm loving the prints with the purple bamboo velour :D

PostPartums are mostly cut out - some or all of them will have 100% bamboo French terry internal soakers, making them super thirsty, and organic cotton jersey backs. I'm washing up some more bamboo FT to use as I type. It's very soft and stretchy to work with, so is slow going, but makes for a very trim and soft pad, so I think they will be great :)

If there is time, I'll do some Flexis, and extra PUL-backed boosters to sell separately, and *maybe* some mama-wipes for those ppl who'd like something special (velour and flannelette)... maybe some silk-topped bamboo breastpads if there is time...

Here's hoping tomorrow is a better day!

Night :)

A week till Easter...

2007-03-30T08:52:00.000+10:00

I've started this blog so people can see where I am at with balancing my sewing and my family... we all know our kids and the people we love come first, and stuff happens, so if you are wondering what's happening, I will try to update on here.

I created and began sewing Rainbows mamapads in 2004. Began selling them to other people in 2005. Since then I have become a single mum to 2 very active little people - so things go slow here on the sewing front and some weeks there is no time for it.

But, I've got some space and time right now, so it's happening :D

Where it's at now :

I have dyed enough bamboo velour (this is bamboo *organic cotton* velour) and 100% organic cotton velour to sew up a lot of pads. I dyed up some hemp silk with them that's sat here for ages and it is to dye for (hahaha) - but at this stage it's just being admired - maybe breastpads? The colours are divine.

To date, most of the cutting is done and I've started overlocking to match thread colours to new print fabrics. Each time I change a thread I need to retest tensions b/c my overlocker likes to spit the dummy on tight curves :) It's to teach me patience ;) This takes quite a long time to get right.

Fabrics in this batch are shades of hand dyed purple bamboo velour, OCvelour and (fuschia) OCsherpa, natural bamboo velour, some new 100% cotton quilting prints, 100% organic cotton prints, and hand dyed (sunset) bamboo and OC jersey for backs...

I'm concentrating on Postpartum pads, Liners and maybe some Flexis this time. If I get time I will do some standard cotton velour pads too, so that there are some cheaper pads available.

The next restock on Ozebaby probably will not be till after Easter at this stage and I will post on Ozebaby forum and Nappycino forum to give some warning. There will be some items listed for people who have *not* bought from me before, to try to give more people a chance at trying them.

Here is the Ozebaby store link http://www.ozebaby.com.au/store.php?SS=4

I am still working on organising Rainbows to be sewn for my previous stockists elsewhere, so that there is a reliable supply of them outside of my limited sewing spaces.

I hope this helps people with questions :)

Cheers
Em :)