Sewing patterns to fit cloth diapers?

[ishta]

I'm wanting to make some infant clothes for my baby due in May, but I'm not sure which pattern companies are best. I have read that many brands of clothes do not fit over bulky cloth diapers, and am worried I'm going to get patterns that turn out to be too small as well. I've been looking at the basics; Simplicity, Butterick, etc. Will any of these work? I'm also not that great of a sewer, so it's difficult for me to enlarge a pattern, I pretty much have to follow it word for word. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[AMum]

Somewhere I came across a web site that showed how to alter any pattern to make room for cloth diapers. I will attempt to describe the process here. It is pretty simple.

The real fitting problem has to do with the rise (the seam that runs between the legs) b/c the patterns are (sometimes) short waisted.

Before you cut the pattern redraw the lines on the back piece. Measure out 1" from the center back & make a mark. Use a ruler and draw a line from this mark to the corner of the pattern (where the waist meets the side). Then use this altered pattern piece to cut out the 2 back pieces. When you sew then together the center seam will be the one you added an inch to and the side seam will be the one you drew the line to. When you turn the top down to create the waistband (elastic casing) it will be a little tricky, your iron is your friend on this step.

Hope this helps! I will try to find the url for you. This has worked for me on many different patterns. When I have made patterns and forgotten to make the adjustment they fit too. Just not as generously.

If you have a problem with the fit from side seam to side seam (around the hips) you can use a smaller side seam through the hips and then taper out to the regular side seam. So, if you start from the cuff you sew w/ a regular 5/8" seam, then before the hip, ease out to a 1/4" (or whatever seems reasonable to you) seam and then back into the 5/8" seam as you get to the waistband. Does this make sense??

Hope I've helped,

[LaLa]

www.diapersewing.com
:D

I just used a pattern that I made from one of her other diapers :)

[Dovie]

I highly recommend using Kwik-Sew's patterns. They make books that have "Master Patterns", all of your basic patterns (shirts, pants, sleepers, onesies, hats, etc.) and then they give instructions on how to adapt them (easy easy intructions) to change them up (add diffent collars, waistbands, ribbing, etc.) I have the sewing for toddlers book that I use all the time and they make a infant one too. I used one of their infant pattens as well. They fit great over cloth diapers. Your local fabric store may carry them, or you can order them from www.elizabethleedesigns.com. The books are about $17.00 and have 30 some pattens in them, which with the price of patterns, is a pretty good buy.
If you order them from elizabeth lee, you can order some snaps at the same time. The snap source snaps are the best, long pronged, easy to attach and they don't pull apart like the dritz snaps that I've used. And they come in colors and are cheaper than I can get the others locally. Bonus! If you do go with the books, you'll have to trace the patterns off on to either tissue paper or tracing cloth (also available at elizabeth lee). It's inexpensive and really durable, a great way to preserve your patterns.

Hope this helps. I have made most of my (cloth diapered) sons clothes and I have been the happiest with these. I preferred one piece rompers and overalls, so have mostly made those, but also some pants. Happy sewing.

[ishta]

Thanks for the info, I think I'll check out Kwik-Sew's book, do you know if stores carry it or if it's just an internet thing? I would really like to see it before I spend 20$, though it sounds good. Thanks for the tip about the snaps, they look great.

AMum, I would love the URL if you can find it. I think I might be able to follow from your directions, but I'm a little confused. Is the seam between the legs you're talking about the one that goes up one leg and down the other, or up the torso in the front and back?

[AMum]

I found my printout, but I cannot find the url. Here are the directions verbatim, hope this clears up the confusion.

Diaper Ease

One small pattern alteration will keep those bottoms covered! This alteration adds extra to the pants center back waistline. This gives room for the pants to go over the diaper.

To do the alteration:

You are adding an extra amount only to the cener back waist. The from should fit normally.

You will be adding about 1"-2" at the canter back seam line. 2" can be somewhat extreme.

True the line from the side seam

You may have to fudge the center back curve a bit, but it will be okay. Just make sure you don't have too much of a peak at the center back. The pattern may look funny, but when you put them on, they will look fine.

The seam I am refering to adds heigth to the back of the pants or shorts so that they can go up & over the diaper.

Does that help??

I have the quik sew book, but I lost the pattern envelope when we moved. :( We haven't unpacked everything, so I am still hoping it turns up.