Tips of making cloth diapers?

[kathryn5kids]

Hey there mothers! I in a new adventure of learning how to make cloth diapers. I've found two "free patterns" to start the process, but wanted to get some tips from other cloth diaper makers. What's your favorite fabric? How about from which favorite fabric stores. What type of elastic do you guys like to use? What about the type of threads? Any tips of the sewing part in general? How about do you know of any free patterns I could look at. Thanks a million for all you help ladies!

[lilyka]

http://www.geocities.com/myfreediaperpattern/

this is the pattern I use. I use the part I cut out for the legs to make a soaker that lays inside for extra absorbing power. They are easy and verital. I use flannel mostly because it comes in so many beautiful prints and realy that is important to me in a diaper :LOL and I just like flannel. I havn't noticed a difference between the expensive flannel ($8/yd and the cheap walmart stuff ($2.50) and some of it has even been the same brand and print. Threre is some really crappy stuff on the market. my general rule is if you can read a book hrough it don't buy it. I don't get to fancy with my diapers. I turn and top stitch which makes for a nice finished look. for elastic i use either the basic non-roll stuff or Lastin (or a knock off there of) . both have thier advantages. have fun making diapers.

[kathryn5kids]

Thanks a million for the advise and website page!

[perditafoster]

I'm a big fan of using hemp fleece for the inside and whatever I have lying around for the outside :D I've used a pair of dh's pants, pillow cases, old shirts, etc. for the outside. I am definitely still in the beginning phases...haven't perfected my dipes yet! But it's so fun, I'll be sad when I finally make enough! I do like to buy cute patterned woven fabric from Hancocks. I go straight to the clearance section at the back and check out the $3/yard stuff :)

I agree with the other website on geocities for the dipe pattern...I've made three of 'em and they work well for me. However, the fabrics I used took forver to dry...here's a link to a site with a bunch of patterns: http://diapershop.com/freelinks.htm I've made a few things from that site, like the pull-on fleece cover.


I've bought fabric from Diapershop before: excellent customer service and good selection. http://www.fabriconnection.com/ also has great fabric and prices.

Elastic...I use 3/8" knitted elastic that I got from diapershop. When I run out of that, I might try something else. I've had a go at using foldover elastic--very hard! Probably not for a pro, but definitely difficult for a beginner like me!

Thread: I have tons because I like it to match whatever I'm sewing. Cotton and polyester...can't really tell a difference in performance between 'em.

Sewing machine help: none. I don't even have a manual for my machine, and it's over 30 years old. I just sort of wing it every time I turn it on! A lot of mamas use sergers...I would love one, maybe next year.

Good luck, sewing mama! Definitely ask more questions...I'm sure I could learn a lot from them!

[perditafoster]

Hey, Kathryn. Me (Kathleen) again. I noticed that you're from Las Vegas...my dad lives off Warm Springs road! Bridget and I were just out there at the beginning of November visiting him, my sister, and my stepmom. I love it out there...do you? I love the weather, so different from MS. I also love the scenery. The desert is some kind of pretty! Anyway, just neato that you live in Vegas :D

[kathryn5kids]

Hey Perditafoster! Thanks a million for the huge website page. This helped out a lot. And your tips was wonderful as well. I just started to cut out my pattern and then came time to cut out the soaker. Hmmm...now what should I do? My first diaper is going to be for my 1 1/2 little girl. I plan to make her a night time diaper since I'm "trying" (Yeah, ha, ha in quotes trying) to teach her to potty train. I got those training pants you wear during the day time and for night I was hoping I could make her one of my newest cloth diapers. I was thinking putting in one of those Chinese prefolds fold in thirds. She's a heavy wetter, do you think this will work? I guess I could always add a doubler, huh? But I always see the pictures say they put two flannels and like 2 terry clothes for the soaker. So is one Chinese prefold folded in third going to be too little of absorbent? Oh here's what I plan: I have the outer a cute regular cotton print. The middle hidden layer a double flannel. The soaker I planned to put the folded Chinese fold. And as for the inner touching Emily I choose a fleece. Is this enough? Thanks a million gals!

PS I live on Flamingo and Sandhill area. I believe that's near where your father lives. Small world, huh?

[sweetladyaz]

I like buying some fabric on co-op groups on yahoo...go to http://groups.yahoo.com and type in a search for "fabric co-op" or something like that, tons come up.

I also buy from fabric.com, and sometimes search ebay for a really good deal on something hard to find.

I use 3/8" braided cotton/poly elastic, I always use cotton or hemp or bamboo fabric in my dipes, always absorbent. Sometimes I might use a cotton/poly velour on the inside. I also love using prints on the outer.

I like having a side snap diaper, they fit good.

my two cents!

[kathryn5kids]

Thanks for teh info sweetladyaz!

[pilesoflaundry]

I'm sure sewing your own dipes is fun!! My question is, after materials and everything is it any cheaper than buying them? I am trying to convince dh I need a new sewing machine heehee. ( I lost mine in a move :rolleyes: )

[kathryn5kids]

To answer the last question, being that I'm very new, I've already seen that it can be cheaper to make them. For example I just came home from the thrift store to find 100% wool sweaters to make those wool covers (ha, Ha good luck for me!) And I was thinking with the left over wool I was going to sew some breast pads for when the baby comes. My question would be what could I do with the rest of the wool? Perhaps add it to a quilt? Anyhow I found this x-large Pure Merino Wool for $3.50. And then while browsing the linen isle I found a (looks like full size) flannel sheet for $1.00. Think of all the soakers I can make with this? Not to mention the diaper patter itself. I figure at a $1.00 how can I go wrong especially when I'm just learn how to even sew simple stuff. And last I found a pretty thick and heavy feel towel for .50 cents. I mean I'm sure I can get several pieces out of what I bought and I spent $5.00. (I'll let you all know how many pieces I end up making with my bargain.) I bought my swimmers elastic for .48 cent a yard and waited on the buttons. ( I want to see if I can get this sewing thing in order first.) I'm excited and will post my very first diaper when I sew here. Talk to ya later!

[pageta]

It is cheaper by far to make your own...IF you do not factor in your time. If you do factor in your time, what they charge for diapers is more than fair.

The other advantage to making your own is that you can make them exactly how you like them. I'm one who always things I can improve on a good idea, whether it's someone else's or my own. And you can pick your own colors, etc. If you enjoy making things, it's definitely worth it.

[pilesoflaundry]

Thanks for answering my question. :)

[kaya3]

Hi! I use the pattern and instructions from diapersewing.com
I use the walmart fabric, diaper flannel, about 1.70 a yaed. i am using them on my second child now. the velcro is a little ratty, and they are starting to get holes, but they cost me about 2 bucks each to make, and they have been washed probably 400 times!!! lol. i honestly couldn't calculate how many times they have been washed, but it sure feels like 400 times!
anyway, good luck! it's addictive!
krista

[kathryn5kids]

So who knows what's consider the best in "lasting" velcro?

[perditafoster]

Aplix is the best velcro...super soft and incredibly strong. I got mine here http://diapershop.com/ Great prices.

[kathryn5kids]

http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=23bb2cb8-72cb-30d2-7f04-4591174e6661&size=

Ha, HA! I sewed my first ever diaper! HA, HA! Two mistakes, but hey it was my first. And my first real cut a pattern out to sew project. Ha, HA! I even had to take my sewing machine to Hancock fabrics to ask them how come my foot was too low to get two terry clothes in it. They showed me how to raise my foot higher than when it's normal up. (Hope I worded that right.) Mistake number one I had my outer and inner facing together like mentioned, but I think when I pulled them inside out to make it right, I took the wrong layers. Making my outer fabric still inside out. Does that make sense? Ha, HA I have what the fabric is suppose to look like above my diaper. And mistake number two I trim down my elastic on one leg, but forgot to do it on the other leg. So I have one nice looking gathers on the right and the left I barely have a gather. Hee, Hee! It's a outer made out of 100% cotton with layer of flannel right behind it, and inner (touching baby) was suppose to be fleece (now its a hidden layer, ha, ha!) And the hidden layer is flannel, two terry wrapped in flannel both top and bottom of the terry. So my diaper was suppose to be starting from the middle: fleece, two flannel cover terries on a flannel hidden layer, flannel, and cotton print. Now with my wrong sewing layers: flannel, flannel, two flannel covered terries on a flannel hidden layer, fleece, and cotton print inside out. Hee, Hee! But I must say my stitches were strong. I try later this week on another diaper and post it up.

Kathryn Arseno (kathryn5kids)

[scheelimama]

I didn't read all the posts, but I didn't see any links for my absolute favorite online store! www.wazoodle.com
They have a diaper shop with great stuff. My favorite is their waterproof materials. The procare is thick, but softens up with a few washings and will last forever no matter how much you beat it up or how long it is in the dryer. Another favorite of mine is the water repellent taslan. It is actually a laminated nylon (PUL) and is quite thin and really beautiful! She also has great flash sales and always has good stuff in the bargain bin.

I don't have too many tips that you probably haven't already heard, but one thing I can tell you is that you will never, NEVER, NEVER, have enough diapers! You will become addicted and you will constantly be trying to improve to make them better. AND, you will NEVER, NEVER, have enough fabric once you get started, if you are like most of us. Cloth diapering is suppose to be cheaper than buying disposables, and making your own, is suppose to be even cheaper, but it certainly hasn't been for me! Make sure to check the mail before you hubby gets home and hide all the fluffy mail, and take care of all the bills, so he doesn't know how much you are spending on fabric and notions. :D

Okay, back to the original question. I will add a few links. I'm not sure if these have been posted or not, but I will put them up anyway for you.
Patterns:
http://www.geocities.com/mytafadhali/DiaperSewingTutorials.htm
This is a really good one!
http://www.geocities.com/gabrielbaby1/fuzzibunz.html
This one shows you how to do them in the fuzzibunz style.
http://momzworld.tripod.com/clothdiaper/free_patternhowto.htm
Just wanted to give you a few more ideas.
http://diapershop.com/freelinks.htm
There's a bunch of links at this one.
http://goodnessgracious.welcome.to/
There's a lot of really good links on this page too. You'll have to scroll down about half way before you get to them.
-Everyone has given you the most common places to buy fabrics, so I will skip those links, but I must say that co-ops are really the way to go. You will save sooo.... much money! One of the best co-ops is the Sewing Supply Co-Op Here's the link:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sewingsupplycoop/
There are many others. If you want to ask about a particular co-op before you get involved, feel free to PM me. I am a member of most of the diaper sewing material related ones and have bought from a few of them and can give you feedback on them. Hope this helps you out!

[kathryn5kids]

HA, HA, scheelimama, that is so funny when you were saying..."run to catch the mail man before your husband does!" Hee, Hee! My husband isn't much on the idea of cloth diapering. I dropped out with my fifth child, long story! So when I decided I was going to start (mind you on my 6th child!Due in April ha, ha) and be determined to stick with it now that I have my own washer and the idea that I could learn to sew my own. So before I decided to sew my own I bought some from auctions and would race to the mail man. One day my husband came home for lunch. (You can see the front yard through our bedroom window.) I was cleaning our bedroom and I noticed the mail man coming way early! Oh man did I casually ran out the door to meet the mail man, luckily my son wrote a letter to Santa so up grabbed that letter. My husband just sees me strolling out of the house with the Santa letter. I hurry up and grabbed the big box and tossed it in my huge van, which was luckily unlocked. Shoot, I would have hid it under the van if I needed to. Ha, you see me stroll back in and casually say, I wanted the mail man to know it was a Santa letter. HA< HA< HA! Now I'm out at Walmart (here in Vegas it's 24hours) and coming home with some cute flannel prints, or you'll see me buy flannel sheets at the thrift stores.
By the way, thanks a million for the Wazoodle store, and I know what you mean about the tutorials website being a real good one! I agree! The fuzzi bunz is a new one I haven't seen. This will be an adventure! thanks! Talk to ya ladies later!

[kathryn5kids]

Look ladies! I finish my second diaper and boy am I proud! I bought the Christmas print flannel sheet at a thrift store for $1.00. And the swimmers elastic was I like .38 cents a yard. And the dark purple fleece I found for $2.50 a yard and a half. (It was one of those fabrics bought and returned so they way lowered the price. I don't remember the word for that type of sale.) So I have lots of fabric left and what spent $3.88! Talk about a bargain. Oh I forgot I bought the towel at the thrift store for .50 cent, so making a grand total of $4.38! Not bad considering I can make more diapers out of the same materials! Here's the photo of both front and back side of my diaper!

http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=260869e8-3817-4f1b-4e2b-409f4dbe3a64&size=lg

http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=7b5267b4-9902-7dbf-2eda-4c22ad1f2a7f&size=lg

[Sasha_girl]

I've been making diapers for about 6 months now and have learned a LOT. I've found the best instructions here (http://www.geocities.com/mytafadhali/DiaperSewingTutorials.htm). I like snaps, dh likes velcro. My biggest piece of advice is invest in Aplix! It's not even much of an investment, about $2.50 a yard. I used cheap velcro at first and those dipes are in the bottom of my pile!

[kathryn5kids]

Sasha_girl, your so right about the Tutorial website being the best so far. I loved that website also. Thanks for the advise about Aplix. I have two diapers finished, but still haven't sewn in the Aplix or Velcro because I was debating which one to buy. I'm getting a bigger response to Aplix, so Alpix is the winner! What's you favorite store for Aplix?

[scheelimama]

I actually think Aplix or touchtape is cheaper than Velcro. I usually find it for around $0.90/yard for each part (hook and loop). Touchtape is even cheaper and IMO works just as well. If you can find a co-op prices are even better. I don't know of any co-ops for aplix at this time. Sorry. You diaper looks great!