Making Fleece Covers

[HopefulHeart]

I've been making fitted diapers up until now for our little girl on the way but got in some fleece I ordered this last week and decided to try my hand at making some covers. The material I ordered is lightweigh windpro fleece (malden mill but ordered through diaper shop). I was wandering if I should make it one or two layers. Has anyone else tried this material on covers? How did it work? Does one layer work well for naps/night or would it be better to make 2 layers? IMO, it'd be easier to make a cover with 2 layers so if I should only use 1 layer of windpro fleece what material should I put inside if I don't use the fleece for 2 layers? Thanks for any ideas and experiences you can share in advance!

[kerc]

I've used lightweight windpro for pocket style diapers very successfully, though never for a 1 layer cover. I'm not sure how it would work. I agree that two layer covers are easier to sew than one. I'd do two layers of the ltwt windpro or my pocket diapers are like 1 layer of that stuff and 1 layer of micro fleece.

[Kari_mom]

I love one layer windpro covers. I find one layer is all we need, even overnight. The way the windpro is put together really does make it a great diaper cover. Here are some pics of a side snapping single layer windpro cover I made last year. The last pic shows how you can add a seam allowance to turn under on the edges that also encase the elastic. I eliminated the seam allowance on the wings to reduce bulk.

[kerc]

1 layer windpro...do you use 1 layer light weight windpro? It is thin, like microfleece.

My personal thing I HATE is covering the elastic on a 1 layer cover. Someday maybe I'll get better at it.

[Kari_mom]

Originally Posted by kerc

1 layer windpro...do you use 1 layer light weight windpro? It is thin, like microfleece.

My personal thing I HATE is covering the elastic on a 1 layer cover. Someday maybe I'll get better at it.

I've used both. I should add that sometimes I have had compression wicking, but that is common and expected with fleece and wool covers.

Getting it all to work can seem like you need an extra pair of hands. The best trick I have is to run a line of stitching around the cover at the fold line. It encourages the fleece to fold where you want it to, it marks the fold for you so you don't have to use a ton of pins before you start sewing, and it doesn't show when you are done. Assuming your thread matches, lol. I also zigzag the elastic to the seam allowance, just as I do for diapers. I am not a fan of the tack and encase elastic application. I am all about control!

[lestouffer]

I tend to use one layer wp and one layer micro, mostly for the cute factor....my wp is boring and solid. Although it works just fine. I have a pair of trainers that I made with one layer wp and they work just fine....

[HopefulHeart]

Thanks for all the options y'all threw out their for me! I like the idea of doing one layer windpro with microfleece inside. I could give the one layer only a try but I have a feeling it won't turn out looking the best. :LOL Maybe I can recruit my Mom to give me some tips on how to do that. She's much better at sewing than myself but she's a tad rusty these days. I'm used to tacked and enclosed elastic although I do zigzag over it in the end for appearance and to keep it in place better. Is it tough to just pull it tight and zigzag without enclosing it? Haven't tried that one yet. I need to check my supplies and see what I have on hand in the microfleece area. I know I have some anti-pil fleece on hand right now-would that work as the inner layer on the cover with the windpro on the outside? Or, would microfleece be trimmer?

[cyncyn]

I do my single layer covers by turning the edge under to make a 1/2" casing (my pattern allows for this). I zigzag over the edge, leaving a small opening to insert elastic. I use 3/8" and put it through the casing with a safety pin, sew the edge together and then zigzag the opening closed. Or I use FOE for single layer covers. I do prefer 2-layer covers though, easier to sew and cuter too. I use one layer of 200wt and one of microfleece.