This Just In

I've added some new woven prints and knit prints to my selections. I especially like this pirate print with how the waves work with the shape and scale of a diaper cover.

I'm also fond of this Japanese-inspired farmer print, the way it is denim colored like a pair of overalls and has the cute little detailed motifs that are typical of this type of print. I picture it with black binding and baby blue snaps.
The knits I've added are the popular ooga booga and some from Kumquat boutique.
I've also added a turned-and-topstitched option for my FNF. If I've learned anything in my two years of making custom diapers its 1) I am not a good judge of what people will want [which is why doing customs instead of instock works so much better for me!] and 2) when customers email to ask for something - add it for everyone!
For instance, I originally made my Snapper cover without gussets. Someone asked for gussets, so I added that option. The Snapper with gussets has become my best seller. Now I have an aplix version on my to-do-by-customer-request list. We'll see what comes of that!
Give the people what they want is my motto.

New FNFs are ready for customs

I did a lot of testing and now the new FNF (Fishnoodles Fitted) Two-Step is stocked for customs. I combined small and medium in size 1 and medium-long and large in size 2. This gives some adjustibility without swaddling little ones in huge amounts of extra fabric, or having toddlers wear a skinny little thong.

I like everything about sewing these but putting on the snaps. They have more snaps than any other item I make and with my carpal tunnel issues, these are a bit less fun. I have the idea to put together a snap stand with a foot pedal sometime soon to save my poor wrists. These do have fewer snaps than one-size diapers though...many of those are just crazy with snaps.

I've got some new prints, solid velours, and even did a hand dyed bambo velour one to stock over at Bitty Fluff.

having a baby over at Bitty Fluff

baby booties, ooga booga (blue) print
Originally uploaded by fishnoodles custom cloth diapers

Bitty Fluff is my new congo (a "conglomorate" of vendors around a theme) for cloth diapers and more that is "all newborn, all the time." There has been a lot of activity and excitement lately about putting together special newborn layettes that feature designer fabrics. I'm almost ready to introduce my new two-size Fishnoodles fitted, but until then, thought I could play along with some baby booties. So that's my new baby, booties! It was fun drafting a few patterns and sewing some soft little foot warmers. These will be stocked on 2/13/09 at noon together with some amazing pieces by my fellow artisans.

The Complicating Factor

Originally uploaded by fishnoodles custom cloth diapers

When you're a mom, working from home, you know its going to be challenging. I sometimes think of my little one as the Complicating Factor. When I'm busy at my cutting table and I look down, this is what I see. A little cherub sticking out her tongue and saying "nah!" (Oops, that photo got deleted. Here is the cherub with her play pocket knife, pretending to cut my fabric).
You learn to work with repeated interruptions and somehow, little by little, you get a heck of a lot done. I was surprised to go back and see just how many orders I'd completed since August, when the older kids (aka in-house babysitters and general baby amusers) went back to school, through the end of December. The usual things fell by the wayside, such as a spotless organized house (ha! as if it ever was) and keeping up with posting to my blog.
Nonetheless, in addition to all the customs I completed for Fishnoodles, I stocked at three congos (the Tree of Life, Wonderland, and Bitty Fluff), and put samples in the Spotted Box every month from August to December. January too. That third congo, Bitty Fluff, is one we started up this fall, with the idea of having only newborn fluff and accesories.
I also worked on my new fitted redesign, combining sized diapers in small though x-large into two diapers that each adjust for two size ranges. They are in the final stages of testing and probably stocking in February.
The kids are two days back in school from holiday break, so dear daughter is still a little tired from all the commotion. As soon as she is rested up, though, I expect she'll be back on the job of keeping me remembering what's important.