Sewing discussions...come here to ask questions and share advice!

Vilate - posted on 06/06/2012

Nina, you can't use the Polartec at an insert... you have to use something absorbent. the Polartec will make a great outerlayer, or an awesome fleece cover. But it can't be used on the inside of the diaper anywhere or you will have leakage. I hope this helps.

Donna - posted on 06/01/2011

Nina, I don't know enough about Polartec fleece to tell you how to use it in a diaper, but I do know that some kinds of fleece are treated to be water proof while other kinds are not. Water-proof fleece can be used as a cover or outer layer to a diaper, and fleece that is not water-proof can be used as a stay dry liner.



Fleece wont work as an insert by itself because it's not absorbent, but it will wick wetness through to an absorbent layer. Put it on top of absorbent fabric so that the fleece is next to baby's skin so she feels drier and stays more comfortable.



If you're not sure if what you have is waterproof, drip some water on the top and see if it beads or soaks through. You can also set a scrap of the fleece on a dry towel and put a wet towel or washcloth on the fleece and leave it for a while (put a light weight on it if you like). If the towel under the fleece stays dry it should be water proof.



Very Baby has some tutorials that you may find helpful (http://verybaby.com/tutorials/). They're written specifically for the Very Baby patterns, but the techniques can often be applied to any pattern.

If your fleece is water-proof, you may find this tutorial helpful (http://verybaby.com/tutorials/sew-a-flee...).

Nina - posted on 05/16/2011

Hi-- I posted in two other places and haven't gotten a response so I thought I'd try here. I'm trying to figure out if I can use Polartec fleece to make cloth diapers?? I purchased Polartec 200 and 300 at a great price. I figure I could use it as a liner? But as far as an insert I'm not sure. Obviously, this is my first time sewing diapers. I know that the fleece is water repellent...does that mean I can't use it as an insert?? Or can I...but I just have to sew it around something more absorbant?? Thank you!

Jenny - posted on 04/03/2011

@Kim: we had to switch our son to a pocket diaper with microfleece inside because he was getting rashy from being in contact with the wet prefold constantly. (it was either that or change him every 1/2 hour when he wet...). we bought fuzzi bunz and liked them, but the second time we ordered them, for the next size up, they kept shrinking up on us. THey have switched to making them in china and every china diaper I got shrank. all that to say, I would be careful if I got them again, to measure before and after washing. But any pocket diaper with some kind of cloth that will wick moisture away should help. :)
you should be able to look for seconds -those are second quality diapers that have some minor defect, like the thread doesn't match or something like that. I got seconds every time I bought and I think I got one out of ninety that had more than a cosmetic problem. :) seconds usually come without inserts. hope that helps.

Tara - posted on 02/13/2011

I would like to make contour/t-shapped diapers and inserts. Does anyone know where I can find free patterns? Thanks!

Len - posted on 11/15/2010

Kim,
We had the same problem and I had to wash all the prefolds about 5-6 times in hot water with no soap and now I run an extra rinse on each load. I have had no problems since then.

Kim - posted on 10/10/2010

My mother is willing to make soaker inserts for me, so I just need a pocket diaper or cover. Has anyone tried this? Do any pocket diapers, come without the inserts? Which covers work the best with an insert? I have a Wonder Wrap and Bummis Whisper but only use prefolds right now. (My daughter is experiencing horrible diaper rash with the prefolds, which is why I want to make the switch.)

Jenny - posted on 10/04/2010

@ Linnea: I just made a pair of trainers for my son using Katrina's sew easy soaker pattern online. It is just a fleece soaker, but I put two pieces together, and made a pocket trainer that I can stuff as needed. Doesn't work for nighttime without something very waterproof in the outer, but for naptime it works well.

Jenny - posted on 10/04/2010

@selia: microfleece or suede works well for a layer to sit against baby's skin and wick moisture away into the absorbant layer. Regular fleece (in my experience) works better for a water resistant outer barrier.

Jenny - posted on 10/04/2010

@jessie: you can look at the comment I made to jordane as to how I made my diapers for my son. The fabrics depend on if your child is sensitive to moisture sitting on them or not. I had to switch from simple prefolds to pocket diapers with microfleece against my first son's skin cause he got bad rashes from sitting in moisture. My second son just needs to breathe, so I put cotton against him. JoAnn fabrics has cotton diaper fabric that works really well. As for sizing. Take a diaper that fits your child well and lay it on a piece of junk fabric or tissue paper and draw around it. Add some extra (I usually add an inch) for seam allowance. Make sure you make the tabs long enough to pin or snappi. As for the newborn diapers, I am using one I found online, I don't remember the name, but it's one with an umbilical cutout, I made it as a pocket diaper, very cute. :) Hope this helps.

Jenny - posted on 10/04/2010

@jordane: I just recently made some diapers that are fitteds, but with microfleece on one side, diaper cotton on the other, and made in a pocket diaper style so I can stuff it with an insert. I didn't put any fasteners on it so I can flip it either way, if I need my son to not feel the wetness (as I did with my first son) I can put the microfleece next to him and put a cover over. If I don't need the microfleece next to his skin (which is the case with my younger who is using them now) I put the cotton side next to him and leave the cover off so he can breathe. (he has problems with being waterproof, he gets all red.) the only issue with using fleece like this is I have to pin the diapers cause snappis don't grip the fleece. If I did it over again, i would make the flaps that are pinned out of a snappi-able material....hope that helps. :)

Jan - posted on 09/24/2010

It's pretty easy to replace the elastic as long as you have a sewing machine and a seam ripper. Just make sure you buy good quality elastic or you will have to do it again in a few months. Here's a how to
http://www.celticclothswholesale.com/pag...

Michelle - posted on 09/24/2010

Has anyone ever replaced the elastic in the fuzzi buns diapers? I am on my third child and my large fuzzi bun elastic is pretty much warn out and I really don't want to buy more since this is my last baby.

Heidi - posted on 08/16/2010

If you want the least expensive covers, get the gerber plastic pants. Wallmart sells them in the bigger sizes (18mo and up) I have only found the smaller ones at babies are us. They come 3 or 6 to a package. I am sure that you can get them on line.

Heidi - posted on 08/16/2010

If you fold up an extra prefold or two (espically if they are the Gerber kind) and add it to the middle that should work for the night.

Jordane - posted on 07/05/2010

looking into custom dippys!! new to the cloth diaper world.. actually babies not due until january 3rd! but i am definitely going to be a cloth diaper mommy! i've been looking at some diapers online.. but would really like some advise on creating my own cloth style. i dont no where to start! help please! =]

Jessie - posted on 06/05/2010

I am sooo wanting to make my own diapers and was wondering what is the BEST fabric to go against babies skin, and also does anybody have an idea as to the measurements I would need for a new born and my 8 m/o who will be 1 when new baby comes

Danielle - posted on 05/12/2010

Does anyone have any recommendation on what kind of sewing machine to use?

Tina - posted on 05/08/2010

I guess i don't understand why cloth diapers cause such a discussion. I just make my own for my son, and i sell them also. I make a simple AIO one size fits all. my son was 6lbs when born and they fit him when he came home at 7lbs. He's now 17 months and 32lbs and they still fit him. They are made with PUL, microfiber, flannel, and flannel, fleece, or cotton for the outside.

Selia - posted on 05/03/2010

I am looking to sew some inserts for a flip system for a friend. I like how my fuzzi bunz fleece layer feels pretty dry when the insert is wet, so I was thinking of doing a fleece top layer, but I know some fleece repels more than others, which should I use for letting the wet soak into the hemp/flannel underneath?

Chantelle - posted on 05/02/2010

i am desperately searching for something like gdiaper or grobaby pattern has anyone seen one?

Nancy - posted on 04/30/2010

Great sewing ideas at this link... diaper inserts are the main link- see other blogs on the left of the page for other ideas :-)

http://bordersbohobaby.blogspot.com/2009...

Amanda - posted on 03/13/2010

Devra- have you looked into Procare fabric? you can find it at wazoodle.com, i just made a bunch of covers out of it for my little one due in april, however i like PUL much better for AIOs........

katrina- flannel, it's fairly inexpensive and also fairly absorbant and soft, i use it to cover my microfiber inserts and its also easy to find at local fabric stores.

Linnea - posted on 03/09/2010

I want to sew some toddler trainers using fleece outer and some kind of absorbant piece like some towel inside - anyone done this before and have a pattern you've used that you can recommend? My son is 2 yrs 4 mo but only about 25 lbs and VERY thin. He juuuust barely grew out of fuzzi bunz size M and fits fine into the bum genius OS. Can you tell me if you've done this and have any good suggestions of something - EASY - to sew - no snaps, preferably no elastic, no velcro, just pull up...I am a very newbie at sewing but really want to make some. Thanks!

Aicha - posted on 03/04/2010

use the sleeves of the sweater to finsh the legs it works great and is the right size I cut the sleeves in half and use one sleeve for each soaker

Aicha - posted on 03/04/2010

here is a good site to check out ladies http://www.diaperpatternreviews.com/page...

Heather - posted on 02/24/2010

I'm making a wool soaker from a sweater. I've already made one (from the front of the sweater) and it was a bit small, so I'm now using the back of the sweater. On my first one, I used the neckband as the leg cuffs. Any suggestions on how to finish the leg openings? I want to keep the sleeves intact so I can make longies so I don't want to use the sleeve cuffs for the legs on this new soaker. (I don't have a serger so that's not an option.)



ETA: My mom just told me she has some wool socks that have worn holes in them. Might be using those, but I'll still take suggestions!



Edited again...I used the wool socks and created the legs. It worked great!

Aicha - posted on 02/24/2010

To felt wool you have to wash in very hot water and then dry on high heat several times , the wool will shrink a bit and be really soft

Jan - posted on 02/12/2010

Metal snaps can rust, and they sometimes have rough edges on them, so I would get a set of pliers if I were you. When I first started making diapers I did try one with the metal snaps that you put in the plastic thing and hit with a hammer, they all popped off in the second wash so that was a bust. The sew on metal ones might last longer but in the long run after you have gone to all the trouble of making a diaper you're better off using the right equipment. The kam plier starter set is only $35 with 200 snaps and you would be amazed how easy it us to find things all over that could use snaps so they are handy to have.

Nettie - posted on 02/12/2010

I have some metal snaps, can I use them or do I need to use the resin snaps?
I've read about half the posts here, but have scanned through them all. Thanks for all the information!! Very helpful for a newbie cloth diaper, like me.

Jan - posted on 02/11/2010

the most common snaps used on diapers are resin (plastic) size 20, I don't have grobaby diapers so I can't check for sure, hopefully they are not some odd ball size designed to make it difficult to make your own. Do you have a snap press or pliers? if not you will need a set, don't waste your money on the cheap pliers they sell at craft stores because they are garbage, if you are only doing stuff at home for yourself then pliers work great, kam snaps sells a great set that I love and the shipping is free in the us and reasonable to Canada (not sure where you are) you might be able to find someone on diaperswappers that knows or has some snaps and a grobaby shell and can figure it out for you. If they are a weird size you could take some old soakers that you don't need anymore or are worn out and sew a conversion panel for them, take the part where the snaps are on the soaker and sew it to piece of pul or fleece and then apply the new snaps to that so you can snap in your homemade soakers.

Erin - posted on 02/10/2010

Has anyone sewn their own soakers for GroBaby diapers? I want to make some, but don't know what kind of snaps I would need to use to snap into the growbaby shells. Thanks!

Aubrey - posted on 02/05/2010

Search the web. There are millions out there. I found a whole bunch and used some of their great ideas to add to my own pattern that works lovely.

Katrina - posted on 02/04/2010

Kimi - try http://www.theluvyourbaby.com/StayDryCov...
Their diaper covers are only $4.50 each, and are good quality. you would probably only need 4 or 5 of them... I have some of her all in ones, and I am happy with them! (and they are only $6.99)
You can also try www.diaperswappers.com or www.diaperjungle.com =)
Good luck! We just started this week too! Good luck!

Kimi - posted on 02/04/2010

I am 20 years old and have always used disposable well my husband and I are out of work and his grandmother is all about making cloth diapers we made a few but any suggestions for rubber covers or what ever they are called would be appriciated

Katrina - posted on 02/04/2010

I was wondering what fabrics are good for putting against baby's skin. I am looking to make some extra inserts, and I am planning on using microfiber or terry, but want to put something on top of that since I know it isn't always good to put that next to baby's skin. I am looking for something very economical, and preferably something I can find at a local fabric store. =)

Devra - posted on 01/30/2010

I am looking for a source of water resistant/proof material for the exterior of the diaper that is NOT PUL. Any one have one to share?

Leanne - posted on 01/29/2010

I don't know if this has been posted or not.. I tried to read all the posts here, but my mind just kinda went all mushy while trying!



I'm trying to find a free, or cheaper print out pattern for diapers.

I would love to make a one size fit all, all in one diaper that wouldn't need a cover.



I hate the idea of stuffing and buying different sizes, so making this kind of diaper would be ideal..



Also.. If it is simply explained on the instructions it would help me from going mental and making a huge mess! Thanks. :)

Amber - posted on 01/28/2010

Anyone know of a good fabric store in Hawaii or one online that ships to Hawaii without additional cost? Thanks!

Gillian - posted on 01/21/2010

Stephie: http://littlebeanbum.blogspot.com/2009/0...

Stefie - posted on 01/20/2010

I am looking for a free print out pattern for a large fitted cloth diaper. I would like to use snaps and T&T (I can't get FOE right) and use old t-shirts or flannel. Help.

Jenny - posted on 01/16/2010

ok, I am looking at making newborn sized diapers, and I need to know...are pockets better than all in ones? I don't want to use wool, sorry, I just don't. Can you use cuddle bubbles or cuddle soft fleece for an outer/waterproof layer? I am thinking of making the outer of the cuddle soft/cuddle bubble fleece, then an inner layer of microfleece against baby's skin...then the soaker stuff I know already. :) I just need to know about the outer layer and which one (aio or pocket) would be better for a newborn. (I'm asking about things like washing, smells, etc.)

Vilate - posted on 01/14/2010

ditto to Elizabeth! I love thesnapstore.com! :)

Elizabeth - posted on 01/14/2010

You need a snap press or snap pliers. Two most common websites are kamsnaps.com and thesnapstore.com. Well also Ebay.

Heather - posted on 01/14/2010

http://www.ottobredesign.com/en/print/pd... ...This is a good pattern for covers and fitted diapers, I have used it for wool snap covers from recycled wool/felted sweaters and t-shirts/out-grown prefolds recycled into fitted diapers. http://www.kamsnaps.com/Pliers-for-Plast... ...Kam Snaps.com has the pliers kits and snaps...I got the pliers because they were more affordable for me, but I would have loved to get the press. The pliers work fine for making my own since I don't make a lot or sell them and the snaps hold up great in the wash for diapers or any baby clothes I make.

Amber - posted on 01/13/2010

I didn't see this post until after I posted a new conversation but does anyone know where to find the plastic snaps? And what exactly to I need to apply the snaps to the diapers? Thanks!

Winter - posted on 01/01/2010

Hi everyone!

I do custom orders on certain things. If you are looking for small bits of zorb or PUL, I have some on hand. I also set plastic snaps into diapers. I convert diapers form velcro to snaps, too!

Elizabeth - posted on 12/26/2009

It doesn't. Personally I would get a walking foot before I got an overlock foot. They make sewing stretch fabrics so much easier. I have yet to get one for myself though but I sure do want to!! Joanns and Hancocks have seperate feet for sale but I don't know if they have an overlock. I'd check there and Ebay.

Liane - posted on 12/25/2009

does anyone know if the brothers LX-3125 comes with an overlock foot and if not where I can get one???

Elizabeth - posted on 12/22/2009

This is the one I use.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...



You see it says it "offers maximum flexibility to express your creativity for garment construction, quilting, decorative, and heirloom sewing."



Whereas the one you were looking at is for "basic sewing and mending."



If I were to get another one I would go to sewing machine repair shops, Hancock Fabrics (refab Janomes there), or even pawn shops, craigslist, and garage sales.