Minivivi

07/12/2025

Hi folks,

I came down extremely ill 4 days ago, and it's been confirmed as both influenza A and RSV at the same time, both of which are highly infectious, so I really don't want to be making and posting anything whilst I'm in the most infectious part!! They say the viruses can live for up to 4 days on certain objects, and honestly I'm so ill anyway, I don't think I could sew today anyway if I tried 😅

I'm not willing to risk anyone's health by sewing whilst I'm still infectious so please be aware that orders won't be made now until later in the week, assuming I'm no longer coughing. I'll be wearing a mask and keeping hands gelled and washed for a good couple of weeks when sewing, after main infectious period is passed but recommend chucking order immediately into the washing machine to be extra safe. 👍

06/12/2025

26/11/2025

Fabric info post #3

Which one is fleece? Trick question, they all are!

Most people immediately think of polyester fleece, the bottom one, when they hear the word fleece, because the 'fleece blanket' you buy is nearly always polyester. Sometimes it may have cotton content but that makes it heavier so not very often.

Polyester fleece is generally water-resistant. It doesn't absorb much and small quantities of fluid will wick along the fibres and cevaporate off, making it great over nappies or slips at night to reduce any dampness. However, it doesn't stop large quantities of fluid and isn't suitable for heavy quantities of fluid.

Cotton, bamboo and h**p fleece will absorb a LOT of fluid. And they're heavy. They're great for absorbent items like nappies or slips. Bamboo absorbs the slowest and the least volume. Cotton and h**p are very similar in terms of volume, and cotton is faster to absorb. H**p is usually preferable in terms of eco-friendliness and ethical considerations but it is much more expensive so there's often a balance to be found. Fleece weave fabric is robust and will last a long time. It's a great choice for absorbent items.

21/11/2025

Fabric info post #2 - Weave is crucial to properties!!

Both of these fabrics are the same h**p/cotton blend. The left will absorb fluid very slowly but the right is one of the fastest absorbing you can get.

The left is FLEECE, it holds a lot and is softer, thicker and higher GSM (grams per square meter) than the JERSEY weave on the right BUT if you layer your jersey to the same thickness or GSM, your labour and fabric costs go up but you get much higher capacity AND much faster speed of absorption in the same thickness.

H**p and cotton fibres absorb fluid INTO them as well as between them so you need to wash and dry them a bit to expand and contract and fluff up the fibres for full surface area and capacity. It's worth it though as they're the highest capacity fabrics in GSM you can get. AND the fluid doesn't squish out. Major problem with polyester/microfiber is that pressure = leaks because the fluid is only held between the fibres so easily squashes out. Great for fast drying but hopeless for anything you want to capture fluid inside,,
like pads or slips.

[image description - two pieces of beige fabric next to each other. The left looks fluffy and soft, like a blanket. The right is smooth like a t-shirt.]

16/11/2025

Our little badges (that fasten your colour catcher to your washing instructions card) are made with recycled materials and tiny fabric scraps. Nothing wasted!

12/11/2025

A couple of custom orders that have gone out today. 🙂

[image description - two photos of Minivivi pads, some very small and some long but thin, all in bright prints]

07/11/2025

Fabric info #1 - The difference between synthetic fibres and natural fibres....

Synthetic fibres are made using plastics - anything with 'polyester' in the name means it has plastic content. Synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, lycra etc hold fluid BETWEEN the fibres rather than taking fluid into the fibre itself. Natural fibres like cotton, h**p and bamboo (although more on bamboo to come) absorb fluid INTO the fibres as well as between them, which is why they hold more. Certain fabrics are advertised as, "Holds more than 20x it's weight!" but have you actually weighed it? It's extremely lightweight!! Most fabrics have a GSM which is their 'grams per square meter' and if you look at that bit of information, you'll be able to easily work out whether your piece of cotton will hold more than your piece of microfiber (if they're the same size, the cotton would have to be super thin for the microfiber to beat it!)

We use natural fibres wherever possible, not only because they're more ethical (we all know microplastics have now been found in our bones and brain tissue) but because they hold so much more and absorb much faster. Have you tried mopping up fluid with microfiber? It just tends to push the fluid around. Cotton will suck it right up and lock it in. Synthetic fibres are great for drying fast because the fluid easily squishes out and spins out. Great for a sports top, but not great for an incontinence pad or nappy!

We do use polyester fleece for our backing and wings though, because it is fluid resistant and any fluid that does get into fleece tends to wick along, spread out and evaporate really quickly (which is why it feels dry against the skin and makes a good liner for slips/nappies) Our polyester microfleece is extremely thin and is impregnated with charcoal derived from bamboo scraps which absorbs odours. Ideal for incontinence pads.

(Image description - white microfiber cloth)

06/11/2025

Boostable kids incontinence un**es by Cheeky Wipes. Is 'boostable' a word?! It is now! 😅

06/11/2025

Over 18s in the UK - survey!

By completing our 10-minute survey, you’ll help us highlight ongoing challenges and continue pushing for real improvements across the IBD community.

Click here: https://ow.ly/ULMP50Xmvu7

Please note this survey is for over 18s that live in the UK.



Image description:
The text reads, “Are you living with Crohn’s or Colitis? Your voice matters!
Help us make a difference by sharing your experiences in our 10-minute annual Top Ten survey.”

05/11/2025

CALLING ALL 11 - 18 YEAR OLDS WITH A BOWEL OR BLADDER CONDITION (or if you're a parent/carer please share this with your child). Share your views to help researchers working on new treatments for constipation.

ERIC is working with Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust on a project called MAGIC 3, that aims to improve the treatment of constipation, but we need your help.

They're looking for young people to attend an online involvement session on the 6th November, 6pm - 7.30pm so they can share their research and get your views on how best to communicate with people your age.

In the session you'll learn about their health research and play a vital role in shaping how they share health information.

You'll also receive a £30 high street voucher as a thank you for taking part.

Register your interest: https://forms.office.com/e/6qaseYUReh

🗣Please share with any young people who might be interested.

05/11/2025

Have you had issues at work because of your bladder or bowel related problems?

United Airlines is facing a major disability discrimination lawsuit after firing a longtime flight attendant battling Crohn’s disease.

Despite years of managing her condition and taking leave for flare-ups, she was terminated in 2022 after accumulating attendance points when her doctor missed paperwork deadlines for her medical leave.

Now, a federal judge has allowed her case to proceed to trial, raising critical questions about whether "dependability" is truly an essential function of a flight attendant's job and if the airline failed to provide reasonable accommodations as required by law.

This case could have significant implications for employees with chronic illnesses seeking fair treatment at work.

05/11/2025

Kudos to Dietmar for putting himself out there. Incontinence is hard enough to deal with without the stigma and jokes. Cloth is much more breathable and has excellent containment. The Comfort Haven fitted and wrap can hold 2 litres pretty easily with the additional insert which is great for uninterrupted nights.