Sewing Cloth Diapers....????

**AmeliaM** · 06-13-2008, 10:30 PM

Anyone here have experience on sewing diapers?? I have been trying to look up patterns and it can get a bit confusing. I'm not a complete beginner at sewing, but I didn't have a lot of time (because of work) until the beg of this year(though I've been to sick to want to do anything up until a few weeks ago). I'm aprox 14 wks along and I've been thinking about making some diapers. I like the idea of the AIO's for like trips away from home or maybe the sitter,but a standard diaper is fine. The covers look a bit hard to do-so many materials that look hard to work with..that I'd prob buy those already made. What worked for you?? And on the kids?? Best places to get fabric?? Also how many of what sizes did you make?? I kind of liked the idea of the prefolds in a cover. I was still curious though what others did and what worked for them. I don't know anyone who uses cloth here and though my parents did...neither one are here any longer and I rem some of the stuff they talked about, but not specifics that I'd love to ask now.

**Michelle** · 06-14-2008, 04:03 AM

First, congratulations. I hope you have a healthy & happy 9 mos

I didn't cloth diaper, so I can't answer that aspect of your question, but I do know lots of women on another sewing forum who sew them.

The site is www.sewingmamas.com I know someone there can answer your questions, and there are often women selling diaper making supplies on the board.

(I am "chelle" over there)

**nuisance26** · 06-14-2008, 09:03 AM

~I sewed up only about six and used Motherease diapers and covers for the rest of my stash. I simply didn't have the time to do more. They are VERY easy to make. Considering what they're used for, they really don't have to be all that pretty. I used flannel recieving blankets to make pre-folds and shaped diapers. Here are some fre patterns:
http://fernandfaerie.com/sewing_fitteds.html
http://www.mama2mama.org/contours.html
http://www.geocities.com/rew4birth/Diapers.html
http://handmadebyrita.blogspot.com/2...t-pattern.html
http://www.thenappynetwork.org.nz/diy.php
http://geocities.com/myfreediaperpattern/
http://diapersewing.wordpress.com/20...efold-diapers/
HTH!~

**santoria** · 06-15-2008, 01:14 PM

I used up all my old wool blankets, flannel, sweatshirts, tshirts.

I bought the very baby pattern from www.onestopdiapershop.com its a great pattern and really easy to use. its got all the sizes from preemie to XL.

www.diaperpin.com is also a good resource.

for the PUL (the waterresistant material - polyurethane latex - its a coated jersey) I get it from www.kidsinthegarden.com - Melissa is great and can help with anything you need

I've cloth diapered all three of my girls from birth.

#1 I started with 3 covers and 24 flat diapers (the ones you fold)

#2 and #3 I had accumulated tons...but I have 5 covers, 24 flats, and 24 fitted in NB size, then a dozen in each size up.

**Frugal Nurse** · 06-15-2008, 01:29 PM

These are excellent ideas indeed.
I have nothing more to offer.. except- congratulations on your new one.

I know you know the benefits of cloth diapers. Healthwise. Yeast infections down. Diaper rashes down. Comfort up. Cheap WAAAAy up
Imaging not being a slave to disposable diaper costs?
It's befuddles me when I hear of what people pay.

If the baby will be a sitters all day everyday, you may want to ask the sitter to learn to use your cloth diapers.

You do not need to buy the AIO. Like Nuance says.. they don't need to be pretty.

I've sewn velcro to the prefolds to make it easier for other people. This was before the AIOs! sheesh! I could be rich!

I agree with the numbers given by Santoria.

I'm so happy you decided on cloth.

ps- if a sitter refuses to use cloth (it's happened to me) I just say... 'oh.... she has an allergy to the disposable products'. They don't need to know the allergy is that it will cause your bank account to bust.

**santoria** · 06-15-2008, 03:01 PM

mine are allergic to Aloe...which is in everything baby.

**AmeliaM** · 06-17-2008, 08:09 PM

Everyone...I'll check into these....I just had my first US today and I'm actually a lot farther than I thought!!!...I'm at 22 weeks not 15...so my new due date is Oct 25...and we are having a girl!!!

**Mtngrl25** · 06-17-2008, 09:51 PM

I made most of DD's cloth nappies. I experimented with fitteds with covers, AIOs, prefolds, and pocket dipes. What ended up working best for us (me making them, ease of use, ease in cleaning, everything) was using mostly pockets with microfiber inserts (that I bought from WM in the automotive dept). Oh, I also made a ton of Kissaluvs type fitteds from sherpa that were divine!

The PUL and microfleece were an initial expense that was hard to swallow, and there's a definite learning curve to sewing both those fabrics (and combining the two...oy). But once you get the hang of them, it's easy.

You can find co-ops on Yahoo for buying diaper making fixin's for less than retail, but be sure and check them out before you buy. Some are better than others, some are slower than Christmas, etc.

**santoria** · 06-18-2008, 04:22 PM

go to kidsinthegarden.com - she's got fabrics for diapering, and has a co-op too. thats where I've gotten all my PUL and hemp.

**Michelle** · 06-18-2008, 04:57 PM

Originally Posted by AmeliaM

Everyone...I'll check into these....I just had my first US today and I'm actually a lot farther than I thought!!!...I'm at 22 weeks not 15...so my new due date is Oct 25...and we are having a girl!!!

Congratulations!!

**Mamaof2rugrats** · 06-22-2008, 09:37 AM

Great idea. I'm not expecting again yet but will start trying again after I get hitched again so I may just start sewing some now.
Certainly would save money. It gets sad when you pay for diapers what you do for groceries.

**Mom to Many** · 06-23-2008, 01:09 PM

Hi I saw this thread and thought I might add my 2 cents.

I no longer mantain my web pages since geocities is sooo difficult to get into. I did the web page back when I had my 3 pound preemie, so it has been a while.
I am not really responding to give my pattern a plug, but another. (Mine is the geocities my free diaper pattern refered to above in another post. Mine is a modified prefold.)
I wanted to direct you to yet another.
The Large one turns out pretty large, but I LOVE the pattern.
Google the Ottobre diaper pattern. It is even in english now. It was not back when I was sewing my HUGE stash.
(Oh, I forgot, since I have under 15 posts I cannot post links.)

My pattern is a one size, but if you get bored and want a sized one I love the ottobre. I have sewed the Ottobre turned and topstiched since I have never been fortunate enough to have a serger.

I loved cloth diaper sewing. I miss sewing them.

One more thing. I am now of the opinion since phosphates were removed from the detergents that we use... I prefer soakers that lay in or are toung style. Thick layers hold the detergent and can develop dreaded diaper stink that reappears with just wetness.
But, I can't go in and change my site.
Boy, blogs are so much easier to cope with. Buthtey were not the medium of choice when my page was created.
After all that was over 6 years ago.

Best wishes