My first diaper, it lasted 1/2 hr...pics & help

[mooandme]

I bought my fabric at walmart. I bought some cotton (100%) prints and what was dubbed "super" flannel on the bolt. Then I bought hook and loop, 100% poly thread and elastic an off brand that is 1/4. Im sure the materials I picked arent the best but beyond 2 or 3 things, I have never sewn in my life. I didn't want to waste a lot of money.

I lost the bird diaper pattern so I took a pocket that I have here, stretched it and made a rough pattern. One tab didn't fit on the cardboard I found so it was pretty much botched. The rest of the overall size was okay, a little small though.

I cut the pattern then the fabric out (outside cotton print, inner super fleece). The pieces definately weren't equal (how can I fix that for the future?) Sewed(sewn?) it together and then figured out the elastic was suppose to go in first. WHOOPS. I put it in anyway and it sewed both layers. Not a big issue there was still enough space for the prefold. I pulled the elastic as thight as I could and still it barely made a difference. Next came the velcro (I should have done that before hand as well.)That went in the easiest. I didn't want to mess with trying to put elastic where the pocket opening was so I just stitched the fabric to make sure it wouldn't frey.
I put it on ds and it fits, but is a little snug. I really want to get a real pattern. I loved doing this!

If you are still reading thank you! Here are my concerns if you have time to answer.
How do you make sure the pieces come out looking the same once cut?
How can I make my pocket more absorbent? He peed and it lasted 30 minutes before the outter diaper started to get damp.
Not a concern, but a question. If I use fleece will that make it a real pocket instead of a fitted pocket?
Can I spray my fitted pockets with the waterproofing spray and it will "turn it into" a real pocket?
How long will the waterproofing last?
How do you successfully sew in elastic?
What is your favorite free pattern out there? What are the pros and cons to that pattern?

Here are the pictures of it on ds. I was to anxious to wait.
Pic #1
Pic #2
Pic #3

[aisraeltax]

hi. sorry i cant really answer your questions but just wanted to say that i think you did a great job for a first cd!! mine was so much worse...well...horrible really!
good luck! next we will know you will be selling them!

rach

[fek&fuzz]

Have you washed the fabric a whole bunch of times? Mine didn't work at first, but then after a few washes they are great.

As for getting the fabric lined up, prewash and dry all fabric. Then lay the fabric on top of eachother when you are cutting. You might try using one of the free diaper patterns in the sticky at the sticky at the top of the page to get a more symetrical diaper.

But, it does look really good for a first dipe. Just wash it a few times and the absorbancy should increase.

[Momofangels]

I agree with fek&fuzz about the washing and starting out with a free pattern. WeeWeka is pretty cool and they have a side fitting pocket, of course you can modify however you want. As far as getting the peices even, if you are making your own pattern just do half the dipe and then fold the paper and cut that way both sides of the pattern are the same, then your can put all you fabric on top of each other and cut. Lately when I print my patterns off the computer it's just half and I have been too lazy to retrace pattern so I just cut each piece of fabric by itself, but they come out the same anyway. Good looking dipe for your first one.

[proudhsmommy]

Your diaper is really cute. I agree with the others and do a few washes. Sometimes the fabric could have a coating on it that needs to be broken down.

Do the absorbency test, when it is dry.. drop a few drops of water on it, if it absorbs right away.. you're good to go. If it sits there for a few seconds, put it through another wash without detergent and check again. I find that with my cd you can even check just out of the washing machine to see if it's ready. I don't use detergent when stripping away stuff from fabric cause you can get a yucky buildup that isn't fun to get out. Just putting it through a cycle should do, then check.

Hope that helps.

[cece]

good job

Sorry, I can't offer any advice, but it looks super cute! I haven't made any myself yet but I've taken the first step-the sewing machine I borrowed from my SIL is on my table! good luck!: I'm glad to hear you say it was fun. I need a little mama fun, and knitting is giving me a hard time.

[Kari_mom]

Cute print!

How do you make sure the pieces come out looking the same once cut?

Cut them out at the same time, or trace them first. I trace my pattern on the fabric that will be on top when I sew, then rough cut all the layers together, then trim with my serger or with shears after I sew the layers together.

How can I make my pocket more absorbent? He peed and it lasted 30 minutes before the outter diaper started to get damp.

I think your diaper worked great! You made a pocket fitted, right? And left your babe without a cover? I often have to change even 10 minutes apart when my babe is coverless, it depends on how often he pees. But most diapers will feel damp on the outside after just one pee, and I like to change frequently to keep him dry. If I want to dress him or need more leeway in changing right away, like for a shopping trip, I use a cover or AIO.

Not a concern, but a question. If I use fleece will that make it a real pocket instead of a fitted pocket?

Yes, if you use at least midweight fleece or windpro.

Can I spray my fitted pockets with the waterproofing spray and it will "turn it into" a real pocket?

No. Waterproofing spray alone isn't enough to waterproof fabrics.

How long will the waterproofing last?

Depends on the product, I've seen up to 25 washes.

How do you successfully sew in elastic?

I use a 3-step zig-zag. I position the end of the elastic at the first mark, and zig zag closely together to tack it in place. Then I hold the diaper behind the needle and stretch out the elastic in front of the needle. I let the machine feed the fabric through while I guide it. Then I tack down the other end to finish the stitching, and cut my elastic. I will sometimes put a mark on the elastic so I know that I am using the same amount on each leg, but I don't cut it until it has been sewn. I like swimsuit elastic, it is the one that is a natural color.

What is your favorite free pattern out there? What are the pros and cons to that pattern?

My favorites are the ones I've made, but I am pretty impressed with the Wee Weka patterns as well.

[stellimamo]

Cute dipe! Great first try!!

I agree with washing the dips a few times. That will make for better abosbancy.

my favorite free pattern: (fitted not pocket)http://www.ottobredesign.com/en/print/pdf/vaippa_en.pdf

I like to square off the tabs on it though.

sewing elastic:

I just a med. wide and med length zig zag stitch on my elastice so it stretches well.

Waterproofing spray will only work on a fabric that is already waterproofed, it just makes it better.

Best of luck!

[mooandme]

Thank you all for the compliments. Im pretty proud of it even with all the mistakes. The coolest part is its usable LOL. Im so pumped to make more diapers now. This is a scary thought. I just know its an addiction ready to happen LOL.

I washed the fabric once before sewing. I forgot they get more absorbent over time. I guess Im just going to have to learn to make covers or stick with fleece pockets.

Kari mom - I figured the waterproofing was to good to be true. I really dont want to spend the money for online pul so I was hoping this would work.
It did end up being a pocket fitted. He doesn't pee very often anymore. When he does its a fair amount. This morning I had him on the couch without a diaper for about 20 minutes while I fed him and no accidents. Maybe I shouldn't say this but I truly forgot he didn't have one on. Lucky me? LOL

[courtenay_e]

An easy way to make it more absorbant would be to use hemp or microfiber inserts. This really increases the absorbancy without adding a lot of bulk. What did you use for the insert, anyway? Did you make one, or did you use a prefold or what? If you made one, it could be that you didn't use enough layers. Sorry if you answered that question and I just missed it. Again, a good way to solve it would be to use microfiber (shop towels from sams or costco, I think walmart has them too, in packs of 12-36) or hemp (get them in prefolds if you want, on line, or buy the fabric and get more of a cost savings.