Darling Diapers elastic ?

[lizardalinat]

I am making the Darling Diaper AIOs and cannot find how much elastic I am supposed to use. I know that it says to use the knit elastic but I have elastic I bought from the onestopdiapershop (polybraid elastic). How do I figure out how much to use? Should I just stretch it out as far as I can from the points on the pattern on the curve? Should I get the knit elastic instead and use that? If so how much of that should I use?

Sorry so many questions I am a newbie to diaper sewing.

Thanks!

[JunebugsMom]

Originally Posted by lizardalinat

Should I just stretch it out as far as I can from the points on the pattern on the curve?

That's what I do

[boscopup]

The polybraid from OSDS will work great. Don't bother to measure it out. Just tack down one end, then sink the needle, and stretch the elastic as far as you possibly can. Now start sewing (I use a 3-step zig-zag, but you can use a straight stitch or a regular zig-zag too). When you get to the end point of the elastic (mark it on your fabric first), tack that part down, then let go and cut the elastic just past the tack.

I think I usually end up using roughly 5" of elastic for a leg, but I never measure it out first. It's actually EASIER to sew it if you don't cut it first, because that way you have something to hold onto while sewing, even when you get to the very end.

[tippytoes26]

yup what they said (btw.. I'm the darling diapers pattern mama)

about the kind of elastic... I find polybraid is stronger (not really stronger, but has a really strong "return" while knit and swimsuit elastic have a softer "return") and leaves red marks on my kiddos. But, lots of other people like it. I say use what you've got and then if it seems a little tight, go get some knit elastic. You can get the knit kind at wal-mart or any crafts store for pretty cheap. I juts get along with it better. My second choice is swimsuit elastic (you get it at diapershop.com). It has a better gather for babies with smaller thighs, but I like it better than polybraid. So, the recommendation for knit elastic is just becaues that's what I like to use and feel like we get the best fit from. But if the polybraid gets the job done, you should use it. I know the VB pattern calls for polybraid and the patterns aren't that different, so it should work just fine.

Amber

[lizardalinat]

Thanks everyone! I finished my first one last night and it is AWESOME! Funny but the hardest part for me was at the end placing the hook and the foldback tabs...or maybe I was just tired.