sewing my first fitted, do I need special notions?

[gaeamama]

Help, please.
I want to sew some fitted diapers, using my CPF's. I've already traced a diaper I like and cut it out. But before I actually go ahead and start stitching, I was wondering if I need a special thread for this? What about the needle? I'm borrowing my MIL's sewing machine, and I don't want to ruin her stuff! What got me thinking of this is that I was trying to make a practice dipe using an old towel. When I tried to pin two pieces together, my pin bent a lot!! So I realized I do not want to put this in machine!!
Anyway, would you mamas be so kind as to offer some advice on getting started?? If this goes well, I just may end up making more diapers... and who knows what else!?!

Thanks so much!!

[Nikki Christina]

I too tried a thin towel first.. I quickly realised sewing this fabric really wasent compairable to sewing on the fabrics I had bought

I just use regular coats & clark from walmart.. but I do not sew for profit.. only for my own use.. so the sellers here can probably recomend better

I use a size 14 needle from walmart.. you may break it but they are pretty cheep to replace.. I think $1.50 for 4?? I dont remember

good luck & just go for it. you'll be ok

[rubelin]

Yeah, an old towel is way harder to sew than old prefolds. I always like to use the smallest needles I can, they usually pierce the fabric better and don't leave big holes. I mostly use #10 or 12, and for wovens, the Shmetz Universal needles are the best. The plain old Coats thread is OK, but Gutermann is better and smoother, it breaks less, leaves less lint in your machine.

I'm guessing you've seen the prefold to fitted directions on sew your own diapers??

Have fun!!

[oceanbaby]

I just sewed my first fitted last weekend. I learned that you need to use strong elastic. I bought some cheapo elastic (didn't realize there were different kinds), and it was so weak that by the time I had finished sewing it on, by pulling it taught, it didn't have enough elasticity left to gather up around the legs!

I just used whatever needle was already on the machine and it was fine.

[gaeamama]

Thanks, girls! I am using the directions you mentioned above for the basics, and using my own fitted to trace for measurements. I'm just going to go for it! What do I have to lose? an old prefold! So, I'll get some good elastic, check out the thread and go from there.
Thanks!