attempting to make my own cloth diapers

[caro113]

I keep seeing all these patterns online and everyone seems to know all about making these diapers, but I have a really stupid question. Obviously I am new at this since I have to ask such a question :

If I follow these patterns - like the mamabird or the ottre one can I just sew in a thicker soaker in the crotch so I wouldn't need covers? I just don't see the point in making so many diapers when I would need covers for them too. I definitely want to make my own bc it would be cheaper and the diapers would be so much cuter, I'm just lost as to whether I need covers or not. I'm hoping to go out tomorrow to get fabric and such so I can make them over the long weekend. Any advice would be great.

Thank you!

[kamesennin]

Originally Posted by caro113

I keep seeing all these patterns online and everyone seems to know all about making these diapers, but I have a really stupid question. Obviously I am new at this since I have to ask such a question :

If I follow these patterns - like the mamabird or the ottre one can I just sew in a thicker soaker in the crotch so I wouldn't need covers? I just don't see the point in making so many diapers when I would need covers for them too. I definitely want to make my own bc it would be cheaper and the diapers would be so much cuter, I'm just lost as to whether I need covers or not. I'm hoping to go out tomorrow to get fabric and such so I can make them over the long weekend. Any advice would be great.

Thank you!

Have you seen this fleece cover pattern?
http://katrinassqs.blogspot.com/2007...r-pattern.html

That would work with all the diapers you make. You would need a waterproof layer like a heavyweight fleece (malden mills), PUL, vinyl, or wool in order to make a diaper to be used without a cover. Do you EC? If you do you wouldn't need a waterproof cover--maybe just something when you go out and don't have to worry about carseats, etc getting wet.

[starshine1001]

Yeah, you'll be needing covers. I wouldn't sew a whole lot of thickness in, either, or it will take FOR.E.VER. for them to dry. Better to make some seperate soakers to lay in, or even a tri-folded prefold. I really like the Rita's Rump Pockets pattern. She also has a pattern for a fleece cover.

[caro113]

Thank you so much! I have been rather confussed as to the whole ECing concept but from what I've been reading, it's definitely something I want to do. And I've been planning on doing similar things as well, I just didn't realize there was a whole community of people out there doing it too. The people around here are not very progressive when it comes to childbirth and raising children, so I've never really been able to find anyone with similar thoughts. Even the MWs around here don't believe in home birth and think I'm crazy for wanting a water birth, not to mention to laughs and stares I got for saying I was using cloth diapers. I'm just so happy I found this place and a whole network of MWs who will do what I want (-:

Anyhow, back on topic, I'm not sure if this next question belongs here or not, but how many diapers of each size should I make? I love the idea of having my baby spend most of her time out of diapers. I did when I was a baby, but that was mostly bc I ran anyway and loved being naked .. even now I'm usually walking around my house naked lol But I know we will do some traveling and come June, when she's 8 months old we will be making the dreaded PA to WI trip for a friend's wedding. I realize that's really far away, but I'm anal about getting all this baby stuff done and ready as soon as possible.

Thanks!

[starshine1001]

Well, you can find several patterns that are one-size...Rita's Rump Pockets are, as well as Kayla's Cloth Kits, just to name a couple off the top of my head. My stash is mix-and-match of brand-name and homemade. I have more diapers than I need, as well. I have a dozen BumGenius One-size, 3dozen prefolds, 4 covers 3 g-diaper covers and liners, which I stuff with prefolds. Then I also have a half-dozen pocket fitteds. With my stash, I can do laundry once/week, which is important to me since I have to go to the laundromat. My best advice is to make/buy as much one-size fluff as you can, because it's so versatile. I think Kayla's pattern sells for only $5. Rita's Rump is free.

[kaylasclothkits]

You won't need covers if you use a waterproof fabric called PUL (polyurethane laminate). It's not stiff at all, but it has a layer of waterproofing so that a diaper can be as simple as two layers plus your soaker. You can read more about fabrics and options here to start! Best of luck!