Newbie with some questions/issues

[3LittleC's]

So I made my first pocket diapers this past weekend. They turned out pretty well except...

First of all, I used Windpro fleece and it's really thick! I made the pockets using the MamaBird pattern, but made the tabs more square and made the wings a bit bigger. The inside was just diaper flannel and my insert was made out of 3 layers of terry and 2 layers of diaper flannel.

I'll say it again - man are they thick!! My 13 month old doesn't really like them. (but then again we're just switching to cloth so there's some getting used to I'm sure)

Last night was the first time I put them on him overnight and surprise surprise, they leaked! They seemed to have leaked up his belly - through the tab area. Does this mean I didn't put enough insert in there? I just put the 1 in last night- maybe I should try 2 tonight. Or maybe 2 prefolds?

Secondly, I'm making my second "style" coming up soon. I've ordered microfleece and PUL in hopes they'll be more comfortable and thin. I was planning on using this pattern :

http://anayaliss.blogspot.com/2007/0...-tutorial.html

but making it so the tabs close in the front.

Has anyone tried this diaper? I really like it because it doesn't use nearly as much fabric as other patterns and it looks really comfy.

Lastly, I imagine that you ladies will be able to help me with a sewing machine question? I just bought a old but barely used machine. At first i was having problems with it birdsnesting at the back of the fabric while stitching. I fiddled with it, even unscrewing the tension controls and that seemed to fix it. But then I tried to fix some velcro on my diapers and it's doing this thing where it'll stitch 4 times or so, then just do the motions and not sew anything (alls I'm left with is wholes). That's only when I try to sew through the layer of flannel, fleece and velco - even though I'm using a heavy needle. It sewed fine when I just ran it over a piece of flannel. Any thought on what this could be?

Any feedback whatsoever is welcome!!!

[tobie724]

Newbie with some questions/issues

Congratulations on making your first diaper. I have been making diapers for about 3 years now. It is addicting. HA.

I have not used Windpro fleece. I have made diapers from fleece with no PUL in it and I never had much luck with getting him to not leak all over the place. When my son would use cloth at night the diapers were super thick as well. What I have learned that helps is to focus the absorbent material all at the top where he needs the absorbency. I would also at times put in 3 microfiber towels. You might want to play with how many prefolds you need during the day to get a better idea for night time use.

I have not used this pattern since I make my own. But it looks good.

I have also had this "birdnesting" problem with my machine. Usually if I adjust the tension and clean out the bobin area I am good. With the skipped stitches you might need a new needle. I know when making diapers I go through a lot of needles. Going through fleece, velcro and the PUL is really hard on needles.

I hope this helps a bit. Good luck in the future.
Tobie

[3LittleC's]

Thanks so much for the reply.

Tonight I put him in a Happy Heiny with 1 of my inserts plus a microfibre one that HH comes with. I think I may actually go out and buy more of the microfibre towels if they do a good job!

It's good to know it may not just be me with the fleece thing. I'm so disappointed because I spent $50 on them and I'm just not that happy with them. They look great - actually just like a thick Happy Heiny but I hate the fact that they are thick without even an insert.

Aww well, we live & we learn.

Can't wait until my PUL comes in though! Can I ask you what you normally make your dipes from? Will PUL and microfleece be good?

[Michigan Mama]

I've been making pockets from PUL and suedecloth (that's the stuff that bumGenius uses, if you've seen those), I just got some microfleece. I think they will both work well.

I use at least 3 microfiber inserts for my 19 mo. ds at night and he usually doesn't leek. One thing I switched when making my pockets is I put the pocket opening in the front, not the back cuz I don't like digging through poo to get the inserts out!


I have windpro that I really like for covers, I haven't tried it for a pocket yet, but I might.

Good luck!

[robertandenith]

I been using infant prefolds as inserts and they seem to hold a lot better for us. My son is a big wetter so prefolds are perfect for us!

For pockets I been using PUL and suedecloth or microfleece. I would use the combo you made for daytime. Congrats on doing your first nappy! :