Fabric recommendations & patterns

[hollianna]

I would love to make some cloth diapers for my baby due in August. I'm thinking just simple fitted diapers or maybe pocket. Here are my questions:

1.What is the best fabric for making fitted diapers?

2. Best fabric for pockets?

3. What is your favorite pattern (free or otherwise) for making fitted diapers?
4. Fave pattern for pockets?

I know, that's a lot to ask, but if you have an opinion on any of the above questions, your help would be appreciated!

[milehighmonkeys]

Fabrics are mostly a matter of personal preference. You may want to try a few different combos before settling on your favorite. I like to use cotton velour on the inside. It feels remarkable dry for an absorbent fabric. Other absorbent fabrics I like are french terry, flannel, birdseye and microfiber. For an AIO pocket, I just change the outer fabric to PUL. A really good beginner pattern is the Darling Diapers Unlimited pattern. It has lots of different versions, including pockets, and lots of pictures and instructions. You can buy it at the Practical Princess Boutique on Hyenacart.

[Halfasianmomma]

As much as it can be a PITA to sew, if you're making newborn diapers, it might be useful to start with jersey (i.e. old t-shirts) material. It's a stretchy material so the diaper can stretch to fit your growing newborn. Also, if you start with recycled material, it gives you an opportunity to practice before spending lots of mula on sexy expensive fabric.

For fitted, I really like the patterns found on the Nappy Network (for flannel/microfleece combos), and the Darling Diaper pattern (for knit fabric). For a pocket pattern, make sure you choose something a bit bigger than newborn because they can be a real pain to stuff, unless your hands are tiny. I've used Shar's free pattern for a pocket and have had to add a trifold lay-in soaker because I couldn't manage to stuff them properly...forget about DH with his gigantic hands!

[love2bmom]

I made a stash of aio diapers with a few fitted/cover combos for my baby (he's 8 mo. old now). I love the aios for newborns because you change them so often. Fitteds & covers are nice for nighttime.
I'm a big cotton fan so I make most of my diapers out of cotton flannel. It's affordable and it works great.
I agree with pp - always make a test diaper (you may not have the baby yet, but you can wash and dry it to see how long it takes to dry). Once you know what you like you can dive in and make a whole stash.
Congratulations on baby!

[hollianna]

Thanks for the ideas, everyone! I like the thought of using old t-shirts to give the patterns a try.

Next question: If you use t-shirts, how many layers would you use for the diaper? How many layers for the soaker?

Same goes for flannel - how many layers are you using when making your diapers?

Thanks so much!

[Halfasianmomma]

Honestly, the layer thing is a matter of personal preference and what kind of wetter your baby will be.

I've made the Rita's rump pockets which are only 2 layers of flannel; you stuff them with whatever you like, be it prefolds or your own home-made soaker (try 1 microfiber towel with 1 layer of flannel, trifolded and sewn to make a "fortune cookie" shape...that way there's no folding involved during diaper changes).

I've also made some fitted diapers with 3 layers of flannel in the body (one cute external layer, an ugly hidden layer from an old flannel sheet, and a cute internal layer) and an external sewn-in soaker made of 1 layer of microfiber sandwiched in between 4 layers of flannel. If I had a snap press, I'd made the soakers snap in, but sewn-in can be great for a DH who can't find anything for the life of him.

With regards to jersey, I've made some fitted with 3 or 4 layers in the body (depending on how thick the jersey is...some stuff is REALLY thin), and then 6 or 7 layers in the soaker, whether lay-in or sewn-in. If your bub is a REALLY heavy wetter, perhaps you should consider adding more layer so there's less chance of leakage.

HTH!

[star792]

http://http://fernandfaerie.com/frugaldiapering.html


This is what I used to make t shirt diapers with and I haven't tested them out on baby yet- due in aug as well- but they look really good.
I used prefolds and pro wrap covers for my other two boys and they worked really well and very easy. This time I wanted some cute fitteds and got to work.

click on the fitteds tab on the left side for the tshirt dipes.

[Abarat]

Some people have fabric preferences, like all cotton, etc.
You can look around at some websites that sell several types of diapers and buy some seconds, overstock or sale diapers, say one of each type you're thinking about and try them first.

I'll say what worked best for us.

When DS was first born I used prefolds with Bummis SWW covers. When he outgrew some I tore apart one of the more worn covers and made a pocket diaper using that as a template. It's really helped because DS is so large I couldn't buy diapers to fit him now. I cut up and serged edges of towels, prefolds and made some flannel inserts for the pocket dipes.
For the inside I used microfleece and never want a diaper without it!
DS is prone to yeasty type rashes and he has had no trouble with the microfleece!

Another thing that helped was buying some cheap-o microfleece type cloths from our dollar store (usually in the automotive aisle) and adding them to the layers in the pocket. DS is Mr. Super Wetter. I mean, it's amazing, he could wear 40 layers and still pee through in no time.

You'll find what works for you, but be sure to play around with a few things before committing your time and resources to one set path without knowing if it's what works for you two.

Good luck!

[hollianna]

Thanks again for your replies. Looks like I'll be experimenting with different patterns, fabrics, and layers. I'm so excited to do this - you can be I'll be back posting pictures. I'll be proud, even if they don't turn out perfect.