Things I've learned so far in diaper making

[peekyboo]

If you're using velour, be prepared to be covered in fluff by the end of it all.

The soundtrack to "Bend It Like Beckham" is great to sew by.

Ipods are great to have while sewing. Just make sure you keep the earphone cord out of reach of the scissors (had a near miss.)

It's easier to cut fabric while folded in half than around the whole piece.

When instructions tell you to pull the elastic tight, that means pull it until you think it's going to snap apart.

That soft squishy thing under my foot as I stood to cut more fabric was the cat's tail (he's forgiven me now.)

When tracing another diaper for a pattern, remember to trace it wider than the actual diaper or else you'll finish sewing and realize that you've made a diaper that would fit a 6 month old for your 30 month old.

When grabbing random objects to use as weights for your fabric, make sure the bottoms are clean.

When you start going cross eyed, stop. Or else you'll end up with one funky looking soaker pad without the top layer that keeps baby's bum soft and dry.

[shalena]

[auntieM]

Thanks! Needed a giggle! ...& reassurance that I'm not the only one.

[boscopup]

I hear ya on the velour! I have to clean out my machine after each session of sewing that stuff!

For the elastic... that goes for polybraid/swimsuit elastic, but NOT Lastin! You want Lastin to only be stretched to a certain point. But yeah, the other stuff you stretch until you can't stretch anymore.

[michellerene]

May I add?

*Just when you think you've gotten the perfect "system" figured out, you'll think of something new & decide to sew up a whole new stash (& then you won't want to use any of your "old" ones)!

*9 times out of 10, DC will "test out" the new diaper you were just trying on for fit!

*If you use applix (velcro), you will eventually start to obsess about buying a snap press-- just do it!

*When you get tired, stop! You are more likely to cut wrong, sew the elastic on the wrong side, or put on a socket when you needed a stud (doh!), when you're tired! 'Course, you'll make all these mistakes at some point, anyway, but still...

*You know you're obsessd with making diapers when you walk through every store (grocery store, thrift store, Nordstrom...) and eye each piece of fabric, towel or waterproof fiber & wonder whether you could use it in your diaper making (you know that's how some mama figured out microfiber towels! She was probably rooting around in the garage for rags & found her DH's car polishing stash! ).

*You know you're obsessed #2: You find yourself eyeing that cashmere sweater in your closet & thinking,"Well, I don't really wear it that often anyway!".

*#3: You learn how to knit JUST so you can make wool soakers someday.

[orangecanoe]

You're not kidding about the velour---or the cat! Glad the ipod cord was a near miss! I've accidentally sliced through my pattern templates on my cutting mat more than once : --you think I'd learn!

[peekyboo]

*If you use applix (velcro), you will eventually start to obsess about buying a snap press-- just do it!

Already have, but since dh bought me a serger (happy anniversary) I think I need to hold off on the snap press until I at least make a diaper I like

Oh, and another one -

When people tell you to make a tester diaper out of old fabric instead of your nice expensive stuff - listen to them. They're wise and know what they're talking about.

[Sheena23]

[JunebugsMom]

LOL Michelle I have been obsessing about a snap press for a long time

[StrawHatBrat]

This is ALL so true.

[brogansmomma]

I'll have to keep all that in mind. I've yet to start my first diaper.

[AinNJ]

I'm still LMAO over the cat's tail thing! LOLOLOL!!

The velour mess doesn't bother me as much as the terrycloth mess!! OMG, I made ONE diaper with terrycloth over a year ago and I swear, I'm still cleaning up navy blue loopies!

I'm *so* glad I'm not the only one who accidentally goes rotary on her templates! LOL!!

[blessed with boys]

I just ordered a snap press, maybe we could share..I really want a serger. I have yet to make a Aio that doesnt wick onto the outter fabric! I may just go with practing with fitteds for a while!
Jackie

[westernmamomma]

I finally just got my snap press (thanks to dad who works in the fabric industry and has cheaper access to them)

May I add..

when you go to the fabric store "just to look" and come out with $100 of fabric you just had to to have, even though you've still got 12 dipes ahead of them to sew before you can cut these out (those batiks were just too cute to pass up!)

[Jes'sBeth]

I've obsessed about a snap press and we don't even LIKE snap diapers!

I fully support the 'don't try to do something when you're tired' thing.

I'll also add:
* when you're in a hurry and only have a couple of minutes to sew, your machine will ALWAYS act up.

* You'll always run out of the right size of aplix or the elastic you need when you've got one tab or one leg left to go.

* Seam rippers are your best friends and even if you have 8 of them, you won't be able to find them on your sewing table.

* You might think that you are only getting a small bit of fabric but in seconds, you'll have outgrown your storage space.

*needles only snap when you don't have another one.

* I have several spools of thread in a rainbow of colours and still can't find the right colour when I go to sew (especially when I want to hide my 'straight' lines!)

good idea for a thread! The cat tail is still making me chuckle!

[peekyboo]

I have more now, lol!

For heaven's sake, don't wear a baggy sleeved cardigan while trying to sew. It'll get caught up in pins and nearly get sewn into the diaper too!

There is a reason why a serger comes with a whole set of its own tools.

And when using said serger, the tweezers of all things will become your best friend.

Tweezers are good for threading the serger because you don't want your fingers around those needles and blades while the cat (who may be out for revenge after the tail incident) is walking around the pedal and the machine is still on.

Without fail, when you have one last little piece of velcro to sew on, the bobbin will become possessed, causing you to have to rethread the thing several times.

[swtladyfare]

Originally Posted by westernmamomma

I finally just got my snap press (thanks to dad who works in the fabric industry and has cheaper access to them)

May I add..

when you go to the fabric store "just to look" and come out with $100 of fabric you just had to to have, even though you've still got 12 dipes ahead of them to sew before you can cut these out (those batiks were just too cute to pass up!)

and where's the friendly MDC Hook-up to this discount?!

[Slabobbin]

[Abbyloos Mommy]

Too funny! I ALWAYS forget to make sure my 'weights' are clean and I get sticky templates/fabric

And why is it we try to convince ourselves that we really can sew while tired?

[peekyboo]

Originally Posted by Abbyloos Mommy

And why is it we try to convince ourselves that we really can sew while tired?

Because late at night after the kids go to bed is our only chance to do this?