So I have had three great diaper patterns and all the fabrics to make a multiple diapers for two months now, but I am extremely intimidated about getting started. I feel like I need a serger but don't have the extra money to buy one.

Can you tell me some tips or tricks or positive stories about making diapers without a serger? Is having one really necessary? I have a really nice sewing machine, just no serger.

Thank you!

You can make great diapers with a standard machine. Sergers make the process a little faster and allow for ruffles on the legs. But I've seen ruffles made on a standard machine as well.
I say jump in and give it a try :)

Yep you make awesome diapers without a serger. I make ruffles all the time with turned and topstitched diapers! And for your soaker pads you can always "faux serge" (pin fabric together, straight stitch all the way around, trim close to the stitching, then go back and do a wide zig zag, with your zig hitting the the straight stitch line and your zag going just over the edge). I make wipes with a "faux serge" on them too. I wouldn't recommend using it for the whole diaper, though, but it works great for wipes and soaker pads!!! HTH!

You can absolutely make great diapers without a serger! For covers, fitted diapers, AIOs and pockets, you can use the "turn-and-topstitch" method. And if you want the ruffled leg effect like serged dipes you've seen, you can get the same effect by doing a T&T dipe with "blind elastic" in the legs.

There are a whole bunch of great tutorials and patterns in the first sticky, and 99% of them are for T&T dipes...check them out if you haven't already! :)

I actually like turned and topstitched diapers better than serged. Don't be pulled into the "must have a serger" hype. They have their place, but are definitely not necessary for a good diaper. I bought some off a wahm that used a serger exclusively, and didnt like the look half as much as my happy heinys, which are just turned, and not even top stitched.

I have made diapers for years and would never dream of using a serger. The turned and topstitched look is so nice with finished edges. I also use foldover elastic around the edges of some diapers depending on the pattern. The elastic saves the steps of turning and topstitching- it just goes on all in one step.

This pattern: http://www.jordanpaperarts.com/tana/diapers/RRP/Ritas-Rump-Pocket-Pattern.htm

has great instructions for doing a ruffled elastic leg with just a sewing machine and I really like the results I've had - I own a serger and choose not to use it when making diapers for personal use!

Me too. I love the turn and topstitch diapers. I have a serger, an expensive serger, and I hate it. It just ruins everything I try to use it on. It is totally more trouble than it is worth.

Lol, I am going to disagree with all you ladies. I LOVE my serger, I made turned dipes for a while til I found a basically new serger at a flea market for $50! Of course if I hadn't I would probably still be turning and topstitching dipes. But I find the serger makes it so much easier and faster. I can make super fast and easy aio's, I find that there are wicking probs with turning/topstitching thru the holes you make when you topstitch. It is also so much fun, I love playing with it :) So I would say don't be scared of one, buy one if you find a cheap used one. It's not worth spending $600 on but sure is worth 50 or so!

I like t&t dipes and enjoyed making them, but my serger DOES make some parts easier... soaker pads, for instance, are a quick once-around with the serger and they hold together great. They're also thinner/flatter than any I ever made using the sewing machine, but maybe that's just me.

That said, my serger is a cheapie, not quite $50 but definitely not $600 (it's a Singer). Anyway, it acts like a cheapie and can be a lot of hassle sometimes. I guess what I want to say is if you're getting a cheap one, maybe run it past some mamas here before putting any money down...

Here are pics of a few dipes I made without a serger. I JUST started sewing 2 months ago, and I think they look pretty good. That said, I'm dying to get a serger so I can try different types of dipes and clothing as well. a serger would Def be nice for soakers. My machine doesn't like anything too thick. But once you start it's fun. Warning: my first dipes are functional but HIDEOUS! don't get discouraged!