I'm going to make some fitted diapers - advice?

[penny31]

OK, I can't find the fitted dipes I want - microfleece inside, cotton sherpa outside and hemp fleece in between with aplix closure, so I ordered all the stuff and am going to try making them myself. I can make patterns, so I think I will be able to figure one out based on a wool cover pattern I made (if you want to see it, click on Eliza's name below - pics 1-4 ).
Is there any advice you can give me? I am thinking I will make them sizes, not one-sized, as I like a less bulky look. Anything I need to know? Any words of encouragement?
Thanks!

[penny31]

P.S. I want one layer of sherpa on the outside and 1 layer of microfleece on the inside. How many layers of hemp should there be between? Should it be thicker in the pee area? I want the diapers to last for 2 hours or so with no doublers or anything. I plan to make them open up (like wings) for faster drying....
TIA

[warneral]

Well this is only my opinion and I normally don't read complaints about this so take it with a grain of salt, but I don't use sherpa (especially with fuzzy side out) because I use fleece (microfleece on my fuzzibunz and windpro covers and AIO's). I find that sherpa lints alot (as well as the fuzzy side of hemp fleece and attaches itself onto my fleece/microfleece causing excessive lint balls on the fleece diapers and then my baby's bottom.

If I didn't use microfleece/fleece I'm sure I wouldn't have a problem using sherpa or hemp fleece fuzzy side out.

Anyways, I like 3-4 layers of hemp fleece - so if one full layer in the body of the diaper (of hemp or sherpa) then I would do a soaker with 3 layers on the inside. You should make a soaker that is 4-5 inches wide by 12-15 inches long that you attach to the diaper for absorbency.

http://www.diapersewing.com/fitted_with_velcro.htm
http://momzworld.tripod.com/clothdiaper/freepattern.htm
http://sewdiapers.com/

I know that cookiepants has a great resource site with fabric sources and other pattern links. I ended up buying mine - my current favorites are honeyboy (turned and topstitched - no serger necessary) and goodness gracious. Now that I just got a serger and press for snaps, I'll probably try out my poopockets sidesnap and cuddlebuns patterns. Best wishes!

[scheelimama]

I just found a great site with free patterns for sewing your own diapers. http://www.geocities.com/mytafadhali...gTutorials.htm
I have found that they just take way too long to dry if you make them absorbant enough that you don't need a doubler. Perhaps, try a soaker outside of the diaper, attached at one end. Just a suggestion. I've been sewing all kinds of diapers, much experimenting, so pm me if you have any questions. -Alisha-

[pinky]

I would also say that it is worth the trouble to figure out how to do a quick-dry soaker..otherwise those suckers take FOREVER to dry.

I use one layer of hemp fleece in the body of my diaper, plus an outer fabric and sometimes an additional inner knit layer. I then make a 3-4 layer serged hemp soaker to snap in, although you could just as easily make a soaker that's anchored on one end of the diaper, if that makes any sense.

Personally, I've tried to make fold-out soakers (kind of firefly style, if you KWIM), but only with limited success.

Happy sewing! Keep posting you questions...there are lots of us here who sew our own diapers. And make sure you post pics when you get some made..we'll give you praise and admiration!

[warneral]

Scheelimama thanks for the great link!

Also there's a list on yahoogroups sewyourown diapers which is very active and if you have a question you'll usually get 2-5 answers. Plus, you can search the archives...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sewyourowndiapers