Fleece covers

[Mickiswing]

I really want to try to make a couple fleece covers. I've done mostly everything out and I've got some really fun JoAnn's fleece waiting to be used. Is there anything special I should know before I start? What's your favorite pattern for fleece covers? Snaps or Aplix? Front or side snapping?

I have the VB AIO pattern, the VB fitted, VB Snugwrap, and the New Conceptions Diaper Cover Deluxe pattern. I can do FOE or inside elastic, serged or T &T, snaps or Aplix. That's what I get for collecting so much diaper paraphenalia (sp?) There are too many options now!

[rnasmomma]

Bumping...I'd like to hear preferences on this as well.

[Mickiswing]

Thanks Tania.

I just dove in and made one yesterday from the VB fitted pattern. Two layers of fleece, blind elastic, and when I get a few minutes, I'm going to put snaps in. Hopefully I'll be able to try it on dd this weekend, and I'll let you know how it goes

[michellerene]

I've made covers out of windpro & foe-- side snapping. They were great! In fact, I should make some more...

[boscopup]

I've only done PUL covers so far, but I used FOE and it was really quick and easy to do. One is front Touch Tape, and the other is side Touch Tape. I like the side version better. I hate the Touch Tape and will be replacing all of it with snaps soon!

I agree that there are so many choices it's hard to decide what to do!!! When I get my serger, I'll probably do a bunch of serged style, but you can't beat FOE bound covers for poop control if you have a young baby.

I don't have a ton of patterns, but I have the one I drafted, plus I've got the VB fitted pattern coming soon, I hope (ordered last Friday, so it should ship any day now). My own pattern is currently designed for T&T or FOE bound. I would need to adjust the leg openings to allow for a serged style.

[Rachel Flores]

I made a fleece cover out of two layers of lightweight windpro, T&T using the goodness gracious fitted pattern and its working great! I think FOE might be the easiest way to go since its only a two step process, cut fabric and sew on FOE. BTW I love the pics of your stash

[LeosMama]

I'd decided that I don't like FOE, as I have a really tough time with the tension of it and it is too snug on my boy. He always gets mad when I put a cover with FOE on him and tries to take the diaper off. It leaves red marks on his skin, etc. But I feel like heavyweight fleece should only have to be one layer, or I'm wasting it. Same with wool. So I stitch the elastic down to the very edge and then bind with either wool or fleece, depending on the cover material. The stretch from regular elastic doesn't seem to bother him or his skin.

[Kari_mom]

I made a bunch of side-snap fleece covers (that Jack has since outgrown) from a single layer of windpro. I added a seam allowance to the edge of my pattern to attach the elastic and finish the edges. I did remove the seam allowance on the wings to reduce bulk, and zig-zagged for a more finished look.

Since fleece is bulky, I think it makes since to try to keep the covers less bulky if you can by using one layer. So I am with LeosMama, except I don't bind.

[LeosMama]

So how did you finish the edges, Kari_mom? You said you didn't bind, di you fold the extra seam allowance over the elastic instead? I've started doing that and really prefer it to binding. Makes a great edge. I'm thinking about making my own pattern and starting to sell these covers, actually, it works so well.

[Mickiswing]

Thanks for all the tips! I love hearing how diverse our tastes are

You've given me a ton of options now. Like that's going to make deciding any easier, LOL!

Has anyone ever tried making an elastic casing from another piece of fleece? Much like you would do with bias tape for clothing. I was thinking I like the look of the serged covers, but would want it all around. Hmmm . . .

[LeosMama]

I've thought about this, Micki. But haven't done it. I was debating many options in my mind simultaneously (while laying awake at night, that's a previous thread). This was my mental list:
1) two layers of fleece, my standard practice.
.......a-T&T
.......b-serged
2) one layer of fleece
.......a-FOE instead of polybraid and as binding
.......b-rolled edge w/extra seam allowance to make casings/cover elastic
.......c-fleece binding to cover elastic
.......d-make casings from scrap fleece, serge entire cover, zig zag inside of casings.

I finally settled on 2b. It's very tidy and fairly easy. Very quick and makes great poo-barrier. Looks great, too.

[Mickiswing]

Originally Posted by LeosMama

I finally settled on 2b. It's very tidy and fairly easy. Very quick and makes great poo-barrier. Looks great, too.

So when you do this, do you serge the edges? I have to make sure I understand exactly what you mean So you cut an extra inch or so where the elastic goes, fold over a casing, then finish the edges, correct?

[LeosMama]

There are a couple of ways to do this (2b).

Cut an even 1/3 inch extra all the way around. Mark the original edge of the pattern as a line onto your cut out piece. Moving toward the actual edge about a 1/4" and stitch the elastic here. Fold over the edge of the fabric and stitch it down so it just covers the line you marked. Now do this around the entire fabric so that the folded over piece is the same width all the way around. I use a zig zag here b/c it holds the edges down better than a straight stitch. You should be able to measure the same distance from the outside of the cover to the edge of the folded-over seam on the inside. You have a nice soft edge doing it this way and it's hardly perceptible from the outside, and not much more so from the inside. You could now serge the whole cover, if you wanted to make it ruffly or just to have the contrast serged look, or leave it the way it is and it will be nice and smooth and tidy.

The other way to do it would be to allow extra fabric for just where the elastic will go. You can do this as a 'tab' with a right angle, or with a gentle swoop. Tack or zigzag the elastic in place, fold over the tab and zigzag it on. Then serge or zigzag the whole cover.

I fear I'm not explaining this well. Maybe I ought to do a sew-along. That would be fun.

[Wausau74]

i am just getting into sewing dipes and was not aware covers could be made of fleece. please tell me more as i know nothing

also what is foe - fold over elastic/

[LeosMama]

Jessica at diapershop.com has FOE.

Please read Jessica (Moonbucket)'s sticky at the top of the forum regarding fleece. That should get you started. Then come ask more questions in a new thread if you need to know more. Welcome to the wonderful world of cloth diaper fanaticism!

[Wausau74]

duh- i didn't even see that! thanks!

[Kari_mom]

Leosmama, I do it pretty much the way you described. Here is a thread where I describe what I do better and posted pictures of the inside so you can see the seam allowance.

There is one assembly trick I have that I think is faster and easier. Instead of marking a line for folding the seam allowance, I stitch around the cover on the fold line with a straight stitch. Not only does this give me a mark to fold on, but the fleece *wants* to fold there because it is indented. Rather like creasing a piece of paper. It doesn't show at all on the finished cover.

I think it makes a very trim fleece cover with soft edges, super nice for baby.

[LeosMama]

That's great Kari_mom, and your pics turned out so much better than the ones I just took to show mine. That's exactly what I do, but now I'll start adding the straight stitch, as I do have a hard time on the wings and front getting the curve just right. It would be easier with the straight stitch and not trying to wrestle with both sides.

Thanks!