Making My Own Fleece Liners

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mshappy89

mshappy89

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I'm what I consider an ok sewer. I can just about get by!

I want to sew my own cage liners. What sort of mattress protector do I need?

Last time i experimented with sewing fleece the stitching came unraveled. What size needle and tension would you recommend?

Not sure I will be able to manage it but worth a go!
 
You need 100% cotton. I got mine from TKMaxx for about £18 for a kingsize.

I am on my second lot. First time I sewed them into pads but the pigs kept burying themselves underneath them. So now I have chopped up the protector into the size of the pen and then am using bulldog clips to attach the fleece to the side of the pen. Not as neat and tidy, and not as easy to brush down but much better than perpetually having them sitting in a puddle under the fleece *sigh*
 
Can it just be cotton topped like the wilko one? What's the reason behind it having to be cotton?
 
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i think 100% cotton as it can be washed at a higher temperature.. personally i have not used one yet, as i made my cage liners with incontinence pads ( more expensive ) but last well and dry very fast..

some of the cheaper mattress protectors have like a shiny rubbery top which i imagine won't wash well at higher temps..
 
mshappy89 said:
Can it just be cotton topped like the wilko one? What's the reason behind it having to be cotton?
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Absorbency. You want your mattress topper to soak it up like a sponge, not repel it away like a raincoat or just let it pour through. Manmade fabrics like polyester can absorb moisture but nothing like as well as natural fibres like cotton and hemp.
 
I think to get some practice sewing I will try the wilko one. It is cotton topped so hopefully not too plasticky. Then I guess it is just a case of seeing if it works!
 
So I bought the wilko one. poured a cup
Of water on it and did go through but it was an awful lot of water. Tried with half a glass and it didn't soak through so not too sure if it will work
 
The problem with polyester is it just doesn't hold much moisture, which is a good thing for a mattress protector, but no so great for a cage liner, because you are already adding a 'stay dry top' with the fleece. Then you need to add an absorbent core (think of a baby nappy).
If you get a towel and pour water on that you will see a difference in the absorption.
But if you already have the protector and can't take it back you can always give it a try. If the liners turn out to be not absorbent enough you can always put towels underneath for an added layer of absorption.

As for sewing you will probably be fine with the average thread tension (it's 3 - 3.5 on my machine).
Make sure you use a decent quality thread, and nylon is better and longer lasting than cotton.
If you have had problems in the past sew with a zig zag stitch, which should hold everything in place pretty well.
Good luck - I just spent the evening sewing guinea pig hammocks!
 
I don't quite know how it will work until it's made I guess! I was trying to work out how much water would resemble piggie pee!

Probably far less then what I was pouring on!

Would you wash the fleece first before sewing?
 
Yes I would wash it a couple of times first.
Detergent only and a very small amount at that.
No fabric softer, although you can add a bit of white vinegar if you like.
I would wash it 3 - 4 times, but no need to dry it fully between washes.
 
Thank you. Any U.K. links for a recommended topper? Would it be worth using a bottom layer of fleece also?
 
I sew towels into mine as mattress protectors are far too expensive. They seem to work pretty well, the fleece never feels wet under their hideys. Added bonus the bath sheets are the perfect 2x4 size so I don't have to measure the fleece! Just cut around the towel.
 
I have made one with towels and I also just ordered some zorb, so plan to do another using this.
I will be interested to see how the two compare as the zorb was a lot more expensive than using an old towel from the airing cupboard!
 
mshappy89 said:
Have you got pics of your liners? Would love to see
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Not yet - I only finished the first one yesterday, and don't actually have the cage yet!
I am trying to be organised.
I won't do the zorb one until after the cage is here, because it is too expensive to make a mistake cutting that out the wrong size!
But I will definitely update with pictures once I have the cage (it's being sent next week - so excited).
 
Here are some of mine. I used to use an extra "kitchen fleece" in the hay area, but now use the hay tray as there is usually less mess. Excuse the hay that they've thrown everywhere in the 3rd pic, they got grumpy that it was the wrong type! I wash my fleece at the laundromat so I have around a 2 month supply because it's expensive, so I do a full load. That and I keep finding cute fleece patterns and just have to have it!c&c cage!.webp fleece3.webp messy.webp
 
So as far as seeing liners I haven't yet as it scares me to see an entire liner, I did one the wrong side and inside out and gave up. I then cut the remaining zorb I had into smaller peices and have been seeing pads to put down.
I use a walking foot and a mid size zig-zag stitch. The tension is in the middle of what my machine allows and I sometimes have to play with it more as sewing 2 layers of fleece and zorb is incredible thick and difficult to maneuver.
 
I just wanted to add the link for a video.
I think it is one of the clearest and easiest to follow on how to sew your own liners.
She adds a waterproof layer on the bottom, but of course you could always just use another piece of fleece instead.
It has helped me a lot in working out how to tackle such a large project, so hopefully it will help others too.
 
My liners from c and e cosies have arrived.
I've washed my fleece 3 times so will use my other liners as a template!

I just hope I don't ruin a nice fleece!
 
mshappy89 said:
My liners from c and e cosies have arrived.
I've washed my fleece 3 times so will use my other liners as a template!

I just hope I don't ruin a nice fleece!
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I am sure it will be fine.
Just don't forget to leave a seam allowance when you cut out the fleece!
 
Swissgreys said:
Yes I would wash it a couple of times first.
Detergent only and a very small amount at that.
No fabric softer, although you can add a bit of white vinegar if you like.
I would wash it 3 - 4 times, but no need to dry it fully between washes.
Click to expand...
Hi. I'm new and just starting my . I bought fleece and hand towels for the middle and an washing the fleece now. I wouldn't have to dry the fleece between washes the first time right? Just wash a few times and dry at the end of the washs?
 
I have done some research and some people put a shower curtain down with some towels and then the liner on top. Also have read that some people use bed wetting liners and put them down before the fleece liner. If I understand this ( as in new) as long as it absorbs the pee anything would work as long as it's safe of course for the piggies. I could be wrong on that too though.
 
Thelove4piggies said:
I have done some research and some people put a shower curtain down with some towels and then the liner on top. Also have read that some people use bed wetting liners and put them down before the fleece liner. If I understand this ( as in new) as long as it absorbs the pee anything would work as long as it's safe of course for the piggies. I could be wrong on that too though.
Click to expand...

You are right @Thelove4piggies.
You need fleece on top, then something absorbent underneath.
The absorbent layer can be towels, or a mattress protector, or zorb, etc.
Then most people have a final layer of either; fleece, or a waterproof layer (shower curtain, PUL, puppy pads, etc) on the bottom to help protect the correx a bit.

The most important thing to consider when choosing your fabric combination is; will it all wash well, can it be washed at higher temperatures occasionally, and does it fit into my machine?
 
Those are all good things to consider. I think I will put pee pads/ shower curtain ( haven't decided) down and then my homemade liner on top.
 
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