What Kind of Stitch?

[Trinitty]

Hi All!

I'm not a Mom yet, but want to be soon!

I'd love to make my own cloth diapers and start making them NOW so I can get a stash going before babies.

I only have one of those straight stitch sewing machines that you see on TV, "easy stitch", plastic body, etc. There's no zigzag option, but it works alright for basics, I can make fabric bags and curtains and aprons and such, so, I figured I could do alright with diapers.... though, I don't know how the thread would hold up..... would hand-sewing with a good strong thread be better? The machine came with some pre-threaded bobbins and the thread is really not that great... I could hand-fill them with good thread I suppose.

Any advice would be really appreciated, I LOVE the idea of sewing diapers for future babies, I really enjoy sewing, I just don't have a "real" machine.... just a "really cheap" one! LOL.

Thanks for your help!!!

Trinitty.

[boscopup]

With only a straight stitch, you'd want to T&T. Might get some minor fraying inside (ie, the diapers won't last through 5 kids probably), but not a huge deal.

The thing I'd be more concerned about is whether you can get enough layers in that machine. Diaper layers can get pretty thick. Although worst comes to worst... You could do a two layer fitted with two layer lay-in soakers. Maybe 3 if you can get them under the presser foot. Or make tri-folds. Your soakers/tri-folds would all need to be T&T. Or you could make pockets and use microfiber towels that don't require sewing.

If you can swing it, I'd put a "real" sewing machine on your wish list, save up, and get a decent used one. It doesn't have to be expensive. Also, watch garage sales and such - sometimes you can find a oldie for dirt cheap, and it's still good quality. Good sewing machines last forever.

[happeeevraftr]

I think you need a zigzag to do elastic. Unless you just tack it down and sew a casing. But I usually use zigzag to tack it down too.

[Trinitty]

Oh - my - GOODNESS!

I've been looking around at the different websites on the sticky resources.... I'm going to HAVE to buy a real sewing machine! Those patterns are SO CUTE, and I have a tonne of old clothing that I've been hoarding forever for no real reason, I must have been saving it for a home-made diaper stash!!!! This could be the start of something nutty and really fun!

[boscopup]

Originally Posted by happeeevraftr

I think you need a zigzag to do elastic. Unless you just tack it down and sew a casing. But I usually use zigzag to tack it down too.

You can use a straight stitch with elastic. I did last night in the VB AIO I made, and it works fine. I think I set the length to 3.5.

I did zig-zag the ends where I tack it down, but a straight stitch could have easily been used there too (either turning the elastic so the stitch is going across it, or just backstitching before going down the elastic).

[Trinitty]

I'm on a mission now to get a REAL sewing machine! I'm hooked on all of these CUTE diaper patterns and colours, and I'd like to make a bunch of them before we have children, get a nice stash made-up, etc.

Plus, a good sewing machine is always useful! I use my cheap one all of the time for gifts and such, and it would be really good to get a real one. I'll keep my eyes open for a used one.

I can't wait to start making some!

[LeosMama]

I think you need a decent machine. Save your sheckles and you can get something decent for $100-$200. That would do you quite well. I really love having two lower-end machines, one for regular sewing, one a serger.

I also do a straight stitch for my elastic, it works fine. But you really need some sort of over-edge for many purposes.

[Wyattsmommie04]

Hi hon, I'm not sure where you are located, but, I got a cheap but well working machine at Wal-Mart. They have layaway there if you can't afford $100 or $200 all at once. It really does work well even threw all the layers. I will tell you though, I have to help push threw lots of layers on top of fleece. But, I think it is well worth it. They also carry one or two brands of sergers. If you don't have a Wal-mart, K-mart also has layaway. If you don't have one of those, you could always look on freecycle.org sometimes I see machines in my area. Maybe you could find one in yours. Goodluck and have fun making diapers!

[Trinitty]

It was meant to be!

Hi again!

I just got a basic, but solid, brand new sewing machine with a ten year warranty for $90 CDN! It was a major sale at my local yarn and sewing shoppe!

I've never seen a sale like that on a new one from a small, local seller. It's a "White brand", has a bunch of stiches, is quite heavy, but, it will do the job. It has a lot of different feet for it, a good looking feed-dog, tension adjuster, etc. It can do button holes, zig-zag, etc, so, I'm excited!

I have a feeling that this is addictive....

Trin.

[boscopup]

Originally Posted by Trinitty

Hi again!
I have a feeling that this is addictive....

Like you wouldn't believe!!!