convert a PF to a Fitten

[emilys_mom1]

I have some extra PF on the way that I ordered and I would to convert them into fitted dips. Is this possible? What would I do?

[susieinms]

http://www.diapersewing.com/prefold_to_fitted.htm

Above is a link that will tell you how to do just that.

I did this and I personally didn't like it. YOu need to use a ziz zag or a surger. I don't have a surger so zig zag it was. Diaper gauze that prefolds are made of unravel quit easily so I had what looked like a mess. I was constantly trimming threads since my zz isn't as tight as a surged edge.

Then because of the nature of the fabric it bacame stiff once elastic was added. Now had I used unbleached prefolds it would have been softer. If I wasn't used to FB they might not have bothered me. And if I would have had a surger it would have looked a lot better.

I guess what I am saying is that this project works best if:
you have a surger
you use unbleached dipes
and you don't expect a FB!!

[Jes'sBeth]

We LOVE our prefitteds! (elastic at legs and sometimes back, depending on my mood, but no aplix or snaps, we use a snappi to keep them on)

They're super simple and very absorbant, still dry fast and they look great.

It's really time consuming to do it without a serger but not impossible. I just borrowed my friend's serger to make up a bunch more because it's way faster.

If you don't understand the instructions in that link or you have questions, feel free to PM me (I used the same instructions) since I've converted about a dozen recently.

I also trim my prefolds at the same time usually which is why I haven't done all of mine. I'm not sure I want ALL my prefolds trimmed.

[jnmom]

I did not like the method on diapersewing... what I did was cut 2 crescent shapes out, but leaving some fabric on the top and bottom for "tabs." Then I put a strip of fleece down the middle, and I put a fleece casing on the legs and loaded it up with elastic (sewn at the ends only, not tacked down) and I was done. I snappied them, and the nice thing was there was no front or back, just make sure the fleece was inside. later I added aplix but took it off because I thought it was too stiff. I did add snaps to one of them though.

I also did a few where I took the fabric that I cut out, and put it under the fleece for an extra layer of absorbency. I just sewed it down really good so it wouldn't shift.

[gethane]

I'm so interested to read this thread. I have a little one coming in January, but I'm leery of trying to make a bunch of newborn pockets, since she'll be in them so little time (for the amount of work!).

For those experienced converters out there, some questions:

Do you just then use snappis?

Do you sew the elastic down (or tack ends) then cover the "leg" cut out with the fleece (as mentioned in previous post)? What kind of elastic (and size) did you use? Does the leg elastic then do a pretty good job at containing breastfed baby poo? I know disposables did a crappy job (hehee) on my last one before I got his pocket dipes made.

Would infant size work work for 7 and a halfish pound newborn? THough if it doesn't, I actually don't mind using disposables for a few weeks. Just get the infant size?

What kind of covers do you prefer then over these? I'm thinking of going wool with the new little one. I have AIO type pocket dipes for my toddler, but I was thinking soft prefolds and some wool might be more snuggly for the babe.

And do any of you have any pictures of ones you've converted? Or pictures of them on a baby/toddler?

[StrawHatBrat]

Even better.... prefold to AIO!

http://www.amitymama.com/vb/showthread.php?t=227360

[gethane]

Hmmm, you know i do have a couple yards of windpro....

edited:and pul, thanks for the link!

[Jes'sBeth]

The nice thing about keeping them as prefitteds is that you can make them to fit a bit longer by folding down the back or front when you put them on babe which is one of the great things about prefolds. They fit forever!

We just use snappies on our prefitteds. That way we get a custom fit and no aplix to stick to things and again, more adjustable.

How I finish the edges depends on serger access. It's faster with a serger. When I just used my sewing machine, I trimmed back all but the bottom layer of prefold where I wanted the elastic (about 1/4 inch) and then tacked down the elastic and made a casing out of the remaining layer by folding it over the elastic, turning the edge under, pinning and sewing (does that make sense?) If you don't trim back, there's too many layers for the elastic to pull and it's really stiff. You need to catch all the layers of prefold when you sew down the casing. That way I don't have to fiddle with any kind of edging (which I hate using) I zigzagged the other edges to prevent fraying.

We haven't had a blow out with a prefitted yet. They work better than our fitteds! We have the elastic pulled just the right amount for our baby. I see no reason why you couldn't turn a bunch of premie or infant prefolds into really nice newborn prefitteds and have them work just as well!

I used polybraid elastic because I had it and it's cheap. I'm going to try swimsuit elastic on my next few since I'm now serging the edges and sewing through the elastic. They're a bit looser in the leg but Annie's chubbing up a bit so it works out fine in the end anyway.

We use them under both PUL (bummis SWW and Polar wrap) and our wool covers (soakers, recycled longies and butt sweater) we use our prefolds under those too but we never get leakage with our prefitteds and sometimes we do with a prefold. Annie's getting wiggly so it's much faster to get a prefitted on with no folding.

I'll take a pic of them for you tomorrow or the day after...

[LeosMama]

Here're pics of my first attempt at a prefold to an AIO. It's not great, but I use it as a backup diaper and really I haven't had any trouble with it. It would probably wick at the edges if I left him in it for too long.

http://www.ogdenherrera.com/stash/1stCPFAIO1.jpg
http://www.ogdenherrera.com/stash/1stCPFAIO10.jpg
http://www.ogdenherrera.com/stash/1stCPFAIO2.jpg
http://www.ogdenherrera.com/stash/1stCPFAIO6.jpg
http://www.ogdenherrera.com/stash/1stCPFAIO8.jpg
http://www.ogdenherrera.com/stash/1stCPFAIO9.jpg

This was done with the Very Baby Snug Wrap pattern. I'm not very happy with that pattern. But I later I bought the VB Fitted pattern and I really love that one, and it makes a great CPF prefitted AIO. By putting a layer of fleece on it, I can choose to make the fleece a bit wider than the CPF and stitch the elastic onto the fleece (not what I did above, but it's what I do now). Then the fleece will roll up and around the CPF, holding in poopies and hiding the cotton from the clothing. I think that CPF's cost more than just buying your own hemp or birdseye, but on the other hand, it makes such a quick and easy diaper and it really does dry very well. I always lay a soaker in it, but he could probably go about 45 minutes in it w/o a soaker. He makes about 1.5 hrs in this with a 3 layer hemp or microfiber soaker.

HTH!
-Lindsay

[lilsishomemade]

I just did this last night!! I used the instructions from the first link posted, and it turned out fine. I don't have a serger, but my machine's zig zag can be pretty tight. Also, the prefolds I have don't have gauze, I can't remember what kind they are. So, it wasn't as hard to work with. The pieces I cut off the sides, I unfolded and sewed together to make an extra little liner. It shows this in the pictures, but the instructions don't actually mention that.

I used lastin for the elastic. I had gotten some from diapercutter.com a while back. On one side, I need to redo since I didn't pull tight enough. The diaper isn't perfect, but it'll work, and I just need to practice!! And, I like how it didn't take too long, and I didn't have to sew in the soaker (the part I always mess up when I make my own dipes).

[anniegirl]

If you get an overlock foot for your sewing machine, they actually come out pretty decent, but it takes forever. I set my machine to the tightest, widest zig-zag stitch possible and don't really get any fraying that way. You have to go really slow though so there aren't any gaps between stitches. Spoiled me has a serger on the way though, so I stopped doing it that way and have just been adding the elastic to my pfs using my machine in anticipation of the serger's arrival.

I bought my overstitch foot at Joann's for about $5. It's a "White" brand foot but it's fits on my Singer perfectly.

I would show one off, but I don't have a way to put up pictures right now. :

[emilys_mom1]

thanks everyone, these are great ideas. Now I hope my mom and teach me.