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Cloth diaper repair

Melissa - posted on 09/21/2009 ( 8 moms have responded )

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Hi, I have a question about repairing worn cloth diapers. Because I do not have a lot of money, most of my cloth diapers have been bought used from other moms, which has been a great economical choice for us, plus we get the great, but expensive cloth pocket diapers that we love for way less than the original price. However, since they are used, our diapers (we use fuzzi buns mostly, but just bought a lot of gently used bumwear from ebay- has anyone tried these?) are really losing the elasticity in the elastic legs and backs. I was wondering if any of you have tried to repair these yourself and if you have any suggestions on the best way to do the repairs. I am not really a seamstress and have even thought of just sending them off to a seamstress to have new elastic sewed into them. I don't see the point in tossing perfectly good diapers over weak elastic, especially since we are trying for more children and would love to continue to use the diapers we have for as long as possible. Thanks!

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8 Comments

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Vilate - posted on 10/09/2009

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yeah, that is a good idea!

Miriam - posted on 10/09/2009

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It probably depends on the quality of the swim elastic because the stuff I've bought from spotlight here in Australia has been going strong for about a year and I'm not terribly careful about my wash routine. The nappies can be soaking for a few days before being washed, or not be rinsed or soaked and just dumped in the bucket in the laundry for a few days before we wash- we usually wash every 3rd or 4th day when we have 2 full buckets to do. Used and abused- and I've had no trouble with the elastic. In fact the only thing I have had trouble with is bamboo toweling fabric. Hemp copes fine as does cotton.

Maybe the answer is not to fix too many of them until you know for sure that the elastic you are using will stand up to the washing conditions.

Vilate - posted on 10/09/2009

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actualy I thought the same about the swim elastic, and so I bought a whole huge roll of it, and then I used it in some of my diapers I sell. The elastic didn't last through more than like 7 or 8 washes, so I would NOT suggest using the swim elastic. I ended up having to fix a bunch of diapers and covers. -wasn't too happy about it.

Just my opinion though. :)

Vilate - posted on 09/23/2009

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Andrea is right it shouldn't be too hard. But I would suggest buying stretch-rite elastic casue all elastics are not made the same!

Also most sewing machines have an elastic stitch. It looks like a dashed zig zag stitch. Good luck!

Andrea - posted on 09/21/2009

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If your pockets are anything like mine, you should be able to just turn the diaper inside out and use a seam ripper to get the old elastic out. Then take the elastic to walmart or where ever and get the same size. Then use a zigzig stitch to stitch the new elastic in place. Remember to stretch the elastic as far as you can while sewing. I hope this helps you out. If you don't have a sewing machine, you can always borrow one from a friend so you don't have to spend a lot on money. Thread and elastic is really cheap.

Andrea - posted on 09/21/2009

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If your pockets are anything like mine, you should be able to just turn the diaper inside out and use a seam ripper to get the old elastic out. Then take the elastic to walmart or where ever and get the same size. Then use a zigzig stitch to stitch the new elastic in place. Remember to stretch the elastic as far as you can while sewing. I hope this helps you out. If you don't have a sewing machine, you can always borrow one from a friend so you don't have to spend a lot on money. Thread and elastic is really cheap.

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