Diaper Covers

[brittneyscott]

Has anyone made diaper covers? What do you use? I was thinking about making some covers for my DS out of Procare and some out of fleece. Will the fleece be good for nighttime? One layer or two, what kind of fleece, should there be a different inside liner like flannel?

I've only made fitteds for him so far. Just flannel inside and out with a soaker sewn in. I need something thicker for nighttime because these are damp on the outside when they get wet. What do you do? I'm new to this.

Cloth diapering is awesome but who said its cheaper? This is so addictive. I've just finished a dozen fitteds and have fabric to make a set of wipes but I'm itching to make more!!!

[love2bmom]

I use PUL for my covers. I use one layer for daytime and if we have a really heavy wetter, two layers for nighttime. I bind with fold over elastic.

[ReneeC]

I haven't tried Procare, but I have heard it is stiffer (less stretchy) and a little more "waterproof" than regular PUL. But I had such a bad experience with Wazoodle's PUL--and their "customer service" in general--that I won't be ordering any Procare from them.

I use 2-layer PUL covers that are bound and elasticized with FOE at night for DS, because they're pretty much bulletproof. For DD, I *have* used 2-layer fleece covers at night, but she's not a heavy-all-at-once wetter. Normally she wears a 2-layer PUL cover at night too. I love fleece covers for daytime because they're so much cooler and breathable.

You can get fleece locally to use for covers. At Joann's, they call it "blizzard" fleece or "anti-pill" fleece. The anti-pill kind is a little thinner, but it doesn't pill The blizzard kind is a little thicker, but it will get pilly over time, especially if you put the covers in the drier with cotton diapers. You can use one or two layers of either kind for a cover. You can use microfleece (if you can find it at your Joann's, some have apparently stopped carrying it) as a second layer as well. I have a bunch of covers made with a layer of regular fleece and a layer of microfleece, and they work really well and aren't as bulky as 2 full layers of regular fleece. If you want *really* nice fleece (or microfleece) that won't pill, the best stuff is made by Malden Mills--they invented polyester fleece, the stuff called Polarfleece that all the high-end outdoor clothing is made from. They have a website where you can buy it directly from them. There's a link to it in the second sticky (sorry I haven't linky-ed here, I'm not on my laptop where all my bookmarks are).

If you don't like the sticky feeling of the PUL, you'll want to line it with something. Microfleece is nice for the inner layer, or another layer of PUL (with the sticky sides facing each other). I'd suggest staying away from absorbent materials (like flannel) if you're just lining with it, because you won't be able to just "air out" the cover and use it again. If you're making pocket diapers, flannel is fine because the whole thing gets washed each time. But I think that Procare is a little different and doesn't have the sticky feeling to it, so it's just up to what you want to do with it! A 1-layer Procare cover bound with FOE should be fine. Or 2 layers of Procare (or a Procare outer and microfleece inner) done turn-and-topstitch if you want to do that style.

How many layers are you putting in your flannel fitteds? What kind of covers are you using with them now? You might just need to add a doubler at night for a little more absorbency. Both my LOs diapers are wet all the way to the cover (but not out of the cover) in the morning, I think after 10 hours sleeping without a diaper change, that's to be expected!

There are a bunch of tutorials in the first sticky, with lots of info for CD-sewing-newbies That's a great place to start if you haven't checked it out already!

[Mel L]

I wouldn't do 2 layers of procare. One will be more than enough. If you have to line it to turn and topstitch, go with a nice suedecloth (available at Joanns) or a microfleece. Otherwise, it will be way too hot. I have made some covers out of procare, and they really are bulletproof. That can be good and bad. I really like procare for wet bags, and it works fine for diapers. It is much easier to sew than pul, but it isn't as breathable.

I like wool and fleece for nights because it breathes so much better. The only bad part of that is that the sheets and bedclothes get wet often. Baby stays super dry though, and that is what is important to me. Good luck!

As for patterns, I usually add about 3/8" to 1/2" to my diaper pattern so that I know it will fit.

[brittneyscott]

That's good to know about the Procare. I think I'll just use the regular PUL then. It's nice to hear it from moms that have btdt. I haven't actually used my fitteds at night yet. Confession: I'm still using sposies at night b/c I didn't think I had anything thick enough. :

I do want some more pul covers (1 layer, FOE binding) to use with my inserts but I think I'll try to make some fleece ones too if they're more breathable. That's one thing I'm looking for. I just wasn't sure about layers, types of fleece, and linings for them. Thanks for helping. I'm SOO new to this.

I'm wanting to make some AIOs too. PUL outer/flannel inner with a soaker sewn in, FOE binding. Just have to buy the materials. My fitteds I've made so far are just 1 layer of flannel in/out with a thick soaker sewn in and FOE binding. I'm sure they need to be thicker but I've been laying doublers in them to help. I just wanted to get some sewn up so we could use JUST cloth. (I only had enough to use them one day and then I'd have to use sposies till they finished washing)

[milehighmonkeys]

I like to make single layer pull-on covers with fleece or knit wool, sometimes even a recycled sweater. Fleece is good at night as long as your diaper under it is adequate.

[Jenlaana]

I dont like 2 layer PUL covers, because they seem to stay wet inside and I cant reuse them as much. I like the 1 layer of PUL w/ FOE binding a lot. I have some procare, and I have not used it yet (I have a lot of things I havent used yet, lol... boxes of baby fabrics atm)

Its funny that you have had bad service with wazoodle renee, because they seem to swear by them over at Diapersewingdivas but I had a rough time with them as well. Nobody answering phones or emails etc.

[brittneyscott]

Yeah I just need more covers in general. I only have 4 right now and DS is outgrowing all but the new one. I did leave him in cloth diapers all night last night though. The pul covers I have with an insert and doubler. He didn't leak. I did change him in the middle of the night though. I'm just soooo proud of myself now. Now I can say he is cloth diapered. No sposies even at night. Yeah! Really now that I've used cloth the sposies seem to be so much worse. I can't imagine why I would want to use them. You still have to change them as often unless you want diaper rash. And with a good cover or outer layer cd's don't leak either. Can't wait to make some more diapers and get some covers made. Our stash is still kind of small.

[~Stefanie~]

I've been making covers lately...several kinds.

One type has denim on the inside and PUL on the outside, this is using the "Very Baby" pattern. The other ones are two layers of fleece...and I just bought a wool sweater to felt and cut up to make some others.

[thanks]

Brittney you sound a lot like me! I just dove head right in to the making fitteds thing and it is addictive. I just wish I could get the outside (covers) to look as cute as the flannel prints I have. I know you are contemplating fleece, but I wanted to also suggest wool from recycled sweaters. I used the wee weka knickers pattern to make a pair for my 5 month old and LOVE them.

[go4it]

Originally Posted by hazelmom

One type has denim on the inside and PUL on the outside

Umm... is this right, or did you reverse the two? Wouldn't the denim get all wet and icky? The only reason I like PUL covers is bc you can air them a bit if all they've had is pee... you couldn't do that if the denim got peed on?
Sorry to be ignorant!

I like fleece but I'm thinking of finding an easy pattern and just making simple pull-ons bc the idea of velcro/snaps over velcro (fitteds) is irritating to me. Anyone have a link to a good free pull-on pattern?
(I know, I could probably just copy a pair of shorts or bloomers or something...)

[ReneeC]

Originally Posted by go4it

I like fleece but I'm thinking of finding an easy pattern and just making simple pull-ons bc the idea of velcro/snaps over velcro (fitteds) is irritating to me. Anyone have a link to a good free pull-on pattern?
(I know, I could probably just copy a pair of shorts or bloomers or something...)

There are a couple of pull-on patterns in the sticky, one for a "no elastic fleece pull on" and one for wool that could easily be done in fleece instead.

There's also a *great* pay pattern called "Mile High Monkeys" (MHM). If you search for them, you'll find their website, and I believe they're also on HyenaCart In addition to pull-on shorts, she's working on a skirty pattern (might be available by now, actually...)

HTH!

[spmamma]

I used a layer of PUL on the inside and a cute print on the outside, then bound with a foldover elastic. The pattern I used was by Very Baby – love it!