should I try to make my own fitteds?

[stampingmom]

Hi everyone,
I have been toying with the idea of trying to sew my own diapers for a while now. The thing is I don't know very much about sewing. I have an old Sears Kenmore machine that is still in great condition. I have made some wipes for my baby and they came out cute.

Do you think I can sew diapers? How easy is it? I was thinking of getting the Very Baby Fitted pattern...is it a good beginner pattern that is easy to understand?

Also I've read posts about sewing in elastic with a 3 step zig zag. Is that a special stitch? Does anyone know where it might be on my machine? I have lots of specialty stitches on mine.

I don't have a serger or a snap press, so I wouldn't be able to make the diapers exactly like I like them just yet. If I like sewing diapers, I'll invest in a snap press for sure. For now I thought I'd try aplix or touchtape. I may try t&t or just use the serging or pine leaf stitch on my machine to imitate the serging.

So you think I should give it a try or just keep buying diapers already made?

Kelli

[Pixie71]

ABSOLUTELY!! The first step is always the hardest. If I were you, I'd upgrade to the Very Baby AIO pattern, though, because it's so much more versatile. Just go to www.sewdiapers.com and you'll find lots of ideas that use the AIO pattern.

You'll have lots of fun! I swear!

[cyncyn]

Yes, definitely give it a try. I am now addicted to making my own. It is so fun to pick the fabrics and make them fit perfectly. I use the overlock stitch on my kenmore and it works fine as fake serging on knits but I don't use it for wovens except wipes. I also use metal snapsource snaps and have had no problems with them either.

I make my own patterns so not much help there. I have heard very good things about the very baby pattern and there are lots of free patterns available too (just google free diaper pattern).

Have fun!

[JennInSeattle]

I have an old green Sears Kenmore machine that does have a 3 step zig zag. It's a heavy old thing too! To do the 3 step I put the lever on the red dot, the stitch length on 10, the bottom dial between 2 and 3 and picture on the pottom dial to the red zig zags with the lines through them (on the left of the S).

If we have the same machine that should make sense!

[boingo82]

Originally Posted by JennInSeattle

I have an old green Sears Kenmore machine that does have a 3 step zig zag. It's a heavy old thing too! To do the 3 step I put the lever on the red dot, the stitch length on 10, the bottom dial between 2 and 3 and picture on the pottom dial to the red zig zags with the lines through them (on the left of the S).

If we have the same machine that should make sense!

Jenn, your machine sounds just like MINE but I have no lever! Does yours have cams that fit up top? Mine is a model 168 (seen on serial # when you tilt the machine back out of its tray).

[JennInSeattle]

Wow we're close! Probably just a few years apart! Mine is a model 158.14, it even has the sticker on it that says Made in Japan!

I don't know what a cams is but mine does tilt back like yours! I picked mine up at Goodwill and it's a workhorse that's really dependable so far, how do you like yours?

[boingo82]

Cams are little discs that pop in the top to make it do different stitches.
My parents picked mine up at a yard sale for me a few years ago. I LOVE IT. It is a good solid machine. My only problem has been not snapping in the bobbin case all the way, then it makes those darn thread nests on the bottom of whatever I'm sewing. At least I finally figured out what I was doing wrong though.

[JennInSeattle]

You know what fixes those thread nests? Put the needle in the absolute highest position before putting in the bobbin case. It took me several diapers to figure that one out but I haven't ever had a nest since unless I forgot to put the needle in the highest position before putting in the bobbin case.

[stampingmom]

Thanks ladies, I think I will give it a try.

Jenn..no mine is not the same as yours. Mine is not green it is a beige/tan color. According to the manual mine is model 1815 zig zag sewing machine. I'm thinking I probably have the 3 step zig zag. I also have the cams to do the decorative stitches.

Kelli