Cover Measurements

[Devaskyla]

I used a pattern from Born to Love to make 3 covers (with 3 more partially cut out) for a newborn. They just look way too small, though. They wouldn't fit on my friends 12 1/2 lb 3 month old *without* a diaper, much less with one. I checked on http://www.diapersewing.com/measurements.htm & discovered that the measurements for my cover are smaller than the averages for every newborn diaper listed. I really think these covers are more premie sized that newborn. (cover measurements: 11in long, 5 1/4 inches across the crotch, 9 inches across the back (stretched out after elastic put on) & 8 inches across the front).

Not sure what to do. I can't print out another pattern, since our printer is broken. I really don't want to waste the PUL, but I think I'm going to have to just give up on these covers & try to somehow make something a bit bigger, without a pattern. I was thinking I could just a bit to the back of the 3 that are cut out (obviously nothing I can do for the finished ones) to make them big enough, but seeing the other measurements, I'm not sure even that would make them workable.

Anyone have any bright ideas? I'm feeling really discouraged right now that these are probably way too small. They're so cute, too.

[wobblykate]

How sad about the ones you already made . You could size the pattern up by taking it to a copy shop and enlarging until you get something with a standard nb measurement.

On the ones you've cut, but not finished...could you add a couple inches around the edges, patchwork style? I don't know if this will cause PUL to leak, or not. Anyway, perhaps you could finish them and use them for the first couple of weeks, or sell them as preemie wraps? GL.

[MeadowAndColtsMama]

I'm so sorry about the ones you made! I know I've made some mistakes too with my diaper sewing and it's SO frustrating! They might fit right off for a newborn though. I took my Mama Bird newborn fitted diaper pattern (the free one, is actual size online( I only have a laptop so I just traced it on my screen with paper and a marker) so you can do that. Then there is a tutorial on this forum on hoe to make a cover pattern with the diaper pattern. Basically I think you go from either elastic marking on each side and make a straight line down (making the crotch wider) than for the tabs you just use something like a tiny tupperware lid to make the tabs all rounded. Look at the tut. but it really is simple. I know what you mean about not wasting PUL! $$ Ouch! Well, I hope that helps. There is a thread for diapers of recycled dipes and I posted my stash on there. I think I have a cover on there I made like this. It is red, with white FOE, and velcro.

[Devaskyla]

Thank you for that suggestion! We do have one monitor I could do that on. I have a couple patterns saved out, but never even thought of copying them off the monitor. I'll look for that tute in a few.

I don't think I could patchwork anything for the ones that are already cut, the PUL might still be ok after drying on hot, but the thread might be a problem, plus the seam allowance would probably rub on the baby....I think. I was thinking of just adding a bit to the back edges for longer tabs, but seeing the measurements, I'm really not sure even that would be enough. Definitely thinking about just making them up as is & trying to sell them as preemie covers. Even selling them cheaply, assuming anyone would buy them, I could probably made back enough to get a bit more PUL.