Making contour diapers

[mommyrachael]

Anybody ever made contour diapers...shaped ones w/o elastic? I'd like something a little easier than folding prefolds for when dh is changing babe, etc, but I don't really want to fuss w/ the elastic, etc to make fitteds...
I guess I could just draw up a pattern or trace a diaper, but I was just wondering what anyone's experience making or using this type of diaper has been.
thanks
rachael

[Jenlaana]

I've never made one, but the ones I have here that are "commercial" (I have some snappis etc) are slightly larger than fitteds, so I think I would just use a freebie turn and topstitch pattern and then just do it w/out turning and top stitching, to accomodate for not having elastic to cling to the legs (if that makes sense). I'd just cut and then zigzag the edges instead of turning, since it would make them fast and I dont have a serger. Of course, this is all theoretical since I have not tried it out.

[ReneeC]

I use and make contour dipes, I love them

What I did was make an hourglass shaped pattern from my diaper cover pattern. Without the "wings" and a little smaller all around so it will fit within the cover, you've got a contour dipe pattern Mine looks like this when it's all done:
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...rsonbluesm.jpg

Just keep in mind as you're making the contour pattern--your diaper cover will get smaller than its pattern (seam allowance for turning and topstitching), but if you serge or faux-serge the contour dipes, they won't get smaller than their pattern. So if you use a 1/4" seam allowance, make the contour dipe at least 1/2" smaller all around than the cover it will fit in. Ask me how I found this out,

[mommyrachael]

Thanks for the help ladies,
Renee, I'm curious what fabric you use, how many layers, etc? I found the flannel prefolds I made when dd was little to be a bit thin, but also made some fitteds that were too thick and NEVER got dry....

TIA
rachael

[mommy2abigail]

I found that too when I made flannel fitteds. What I do now is make them 4 layers thinck through the whole body and do an external doubler, either sewn or snapped in. Then it flaps around in the dryer and dries reaaaaallly fast. The doublers I make are 4 layers thick (if I'm using flannel) too. If I am making a nighttime diaper, I make two doublers, and attach one to the front end of the diaper and one to the back end of the diaper, on top of each other. Hope that makes sense!

[ReneeC]

Originally Posted by mommyrachael

Thanks for the help ladies,
Renee, I'm curious what fabric you use, how many layers, etc? I found the flannel prefolds I made when dd was little to be a bit thin, but also made some fitteds that were too thick and NEVER got dry....

TIA
rachael

The ones in the pic I linked in my PP are made from 2 layers of fairly thick woven terry. It's 16oz/yard and plush, like a really high-end bath towel. More than 2 layers would be ridiculous, these take 1 whole dryer cycle to get dried through. On the line, they get a little "crispy", but they fluff right back up if I toss them in the the drier for about 5 minutes.

For fitteds, I use flannel. I cut the soaker layers using the contour diaper pattern. I use two full body layers plus 4 soaker layers of flannel with 3 layers of microfiber in between the flannel layers. It takes about an average amount of time to dry, no worse than the fitted diapers I've purchased. I really like pocket fitteds, though. I make them from the same pattern out of flannel, but instead of sewing the soaker layers to the inner body layer, I make a pocket opening on the front and stuff with trifolded microfiber towels.

[mommyrachael]

Thanks again, gals!
I like the idea of the soaker being sewn or snapped on...I'd have to sew probably as I don't have a snap press, although I do have one of those plier things to put metal snaps on, but it seems the resin snaps are better for diapers?

Do you get that terry online, Renee, or is that something you can get at a fabric store? Also, do you have any pics of the fitted pocket you're talking about? I have to admit I'm having a hard time picturing it...is it an AIO or do you still need a cover? The only experience I have with pockets is w/ the fuzzibunz we have.

Thanks again!!

rachael

[ReneeC]

Originally Posted by mommyrachael

Thanks again, gals!
I like the idea of the soaker being sewn or snapped on...I'd have to sew probably as I don't have a snap press, although I do have one of those plier things to put metal snaps on, but it seems the resin snaps are better for diapers?

Do you get that terry online, Renee, or is that something you can get at a fabric store? Also, do you have any pics of the fitted pocket you're talking about? I have to admit I'm having a hard time picturing it...is it an AIO or do you still need a cover? The only experience I have with pockets is w/ the fuzzibunz we have.

Thanks again!!

rachael

The metal snaps used with the plier-thingy *aren't* the ones you want for dipes. The ones you'll find locally don't have long enough prongs to hold up to heavy diaper use, and they'll pull out, which is *really* bad when you're doing snap-in soakers. Because the "back side" of the snap is hidden in the layers, if it comes apart you have to pull out a seam to get to that half of the snap. They are far to expensive to use for dipes--one pack of 6 sets of "heavy duty" snaps that I bought while waiting on my snap press was $4.99. You can buy "long prong" snaps from http://www.snapsource.com but they are expensive too--$11 for 50 sets. I think the plier will work to attach them, but I'm not sure. They sell a "SnapSetter" tool to hammer the snaps on with, which isn't as hard as it sounds Plastic snaps are about $5 for 100 sets, but the press and dies will cost between $60-100 depending on where you get it. If you absolutely can't get a snap press (you can also get just the dies to use with a drill press if you have access to one), sewing the soaker in "flap style" would be your best bet if you want it attached. It will dry quicker that way than if it was sewn inside the body layers.

So far as the terry--I get it online. BUT, you *can* find terry at local fabric stores, although it won't be quite as thick or as high a thread count. The terry I have from Joann's in getting thin and starting to look a little threadbare after about a year of use. If you want to find high-quality terrycloth locally, go to WalMart or whatever comparable store you have locally (Kmart, Costco, Big Lots...) and buy some towels I've gotten really nice thick 100% cotton bath towels (I think they are 52"X60") on clearance for $3.00. That's more than a yard for less than I pay to buy 16oz/yard terry online. I've found white, but the ones on clearance are normally whatever "seasonal" color they're discontinuing Some of my best dipes have been made of things that started life as something else

I don't have pics of the pocket fitted on this computer, but I'll add one later today. Pocket fitteds need a cover. They are basically a fitted diaper without the soaker layers attached. Because you stuff the soaker in the pocket instead of attaching it, they dry quicker than regular fitteds. My pocket fitteds are two layers of flannel with an opening in the front.