Bringing this clothes week to a close: Summer of 7

So, I'm having a blast with this only 7 items of clothing thing.  I think I may extend my week, gotta talk to the hubs though because we're doing it together.  If I do extend I will begin washing my clothes but my goal will be to only wash my clothes once a week.
Today I washed a half a load of kids clothes by hand.  Why, you ask? Several reasons actually:
1. I find that we just keep going through clothes like they're an endless resource.  Granted with two kiddos under 4, a couple of changes of clothes a day can be necessary but I digress.  It's been driving me crazy and I felt that a reality check was in order.
2. Our clothes get cleaner when I wash them by hand (I put the clothes in the tub and barely cover them with water that I've sprinkled with Borax, Washing soda and a drop of dish washing liquid).  Before I even begin scrubbing, they're brighter and whiter than with the washing machine.
3.  It's a great upper body work out that has a purpose.  For some reason I can't seem to keep myself motivated to exercise if there is no immediate goal.
4. It's a great deal cheaper for me.  Our apartment building has coin operated laundry in the basement and a wash costs $1 and a dry cost $1.25.  If I'm diligent and use both the washer and the dryer, laundry can cost us upwards of $50/month.  That's a lot of cash flying out the window.  We simply can't afford that and I know that I need to save the money now when I can hang dry with my new clothes line.
5. Clothes last longer when washed by hand and hung dry.  If I'm going to be pairing down my wardrobe, I want what I have to last longer.
I also made some homemade English muffins, homemade multi-grain buttermilk blueberry pancakes for breakfast,and homemade sweet potato french fries for dinner.  Yummy.  I find that the more things I make homemade.  The happier I am, the more I appreciate food, and I honestly eat less because I find that I'm more mindful of what I put in my mouth when I've made it myself.  And it's usually better and I want to save some for leftovers.

I'm thinking again...Let's see how this goes

So, I was asking around on Facebook about what cloth diapers were the best and most cost effective.  A friend suggested that I just make some myself.  I don't know why I hadn't thought of this.  I've been poking around different websites with patterns and instructions and have been trying to figure it all out.  I think I may be onto something now though.  I found one woman who made diapers for FREE!!! she used fabric she had around the house.  I have tons of fabric around the house.  They recommended using terry cloth layered with flannel and/or wool for the soaker pads, using micro-fleece and flannel layered for the outsides.  I have so many ideas now, and all using fabrics and extra towels that I have laying around the house.  I even found a bunch of free patterns on-line in all different sizes.  I think the only thing that I'd absolutely have to buy would be either snaps or hook & loop for the closures.
I told Danny about what I found and he agreed that if we find a place out in CO that comes with it's own laundry, that we will for sure consider it.  I'm so excited.  Diapers for Joey run us like $50+ a month.  And the rough part is that I can't even buy off brand because Joey has really sensitive skin (like her mommy, ugh) and all but one brand give her really bad diaper rash.  But I am excited about this concept.  I'll even be able to make her training pants that I'll be able to re-use for baby number 2.  It's really going to depend on what kind of place we get in CO though.  We just can't expect to wash diapers in a shared laundry like we have now.
And of course, if we have tour own laundry space, I can start making my own laundry soap.  Another friend gave me a bunch of recipes for homemade laundry soap that are a huge money saver and if I have the space to keep a 5 gallon bucket of laundry soap somewhere, I will.  Oh that nesting brain is kicking in already, I can feel it.  I want to make and clean and everything all RIGHT NOW!!! AHHH!!!! But I'm restraining myself.  At least for a little while.  We have so much to do to prepare to move.  I have plenty on my to-do list.  I just need a game plan.