Diaper Sewing
I must confess, I have been a bit of a diaper snob the past several months. I would hear of some of my real life and online friends sewing their own cloth diapers and I would think they were crazy. Why sew your own when you can buy really excellent ones? What is funniest about my line of thought is that I rarely ever have those thoughts about anything!
I was on a message board a couple weeks ago and someone linked to a diaper pattern she was using. Out of curiosity, and to prove to myself how hard it was, I looked at it, and was amazed at how easy it was! Then, I couldn’t stop thinking about how I would sew a diaper, and I realized that I had tons of material sitting around the house that would be perfect for diapers!
A friend had some ladies over for a cloth diaper sewing party/tutorial and I made my first, and now I can’t stop. I have made two more since then, and I’m almost out of my “free” (scrap) waterproof outer material. They are so awesome and insanely cheap–I can’t believe I waited so long to try this.
The diaper I made is a one-size (meaning adjustable from newborn to toddler) pocket (stuff it with an absorbent layer) and I added a few bells and whistles (elastic on the back, velcro tabs, etc). The pattern is available online for free. I made the first one with flannel on the inside and anti-pill fleece on the outside. Josiah wore it all morning and it didn’t leak a bit. He loved his “new, soft” diaper and even showed his Pa and Gigi. Here it is on the biggest (Josiah-sized) setting:
Here it is on the smallest setting, though the leg openings would be much smaller without the big insert I had in there:
Now I’m looking for a good newborn diaper cover pattern and I’ll get busy sewing some for New Baby. If New Baby happens to be a girl, she’ll have some really cute baby blue diapers. Sadly, the suedecloth I found yesterday (for the inner part) and the fleece I have are all baby blue!
My unwilling model:
January 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I can’t wait to hear about how these work on Josiah for you compared to others you have used! I am sure they will be AMAZING! Are you planning to sell these in the near future????
I’d way rather buy from you than a company. Let me know! 
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:30 pm
You are too confident in me, Julia. I wouldn’t even give these away at this point–I’m learning as I go. They worked really well yesterday–no leaks at all, but they aren’t nearly as grand as the commercial ones I use normally (no snaps, not as fancy of an outer material). If you want to purchase diapers that aren’t mass-produced, I would highly recommend Amanda (whom you also know). She makes amazing diapers and can do snaps and everything. I’ve seen some of her work and she is really good!
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I am amazed, Rachel! I can’t wait to see these diapers in person.
January 23rd, 2008 at 8:05 am
That’s awesome!!! You’re making me want to learn to sew, but I promised myself that I can’t pick up any new hobbies until my scrapbooks are up to date!
Great job!
January 24th, 2008 at 12:54 am
These are really neat-o! I’m still scared of the whole cloth diaper thing (I know, I’m a weenie), but I really want to get over it! Seriously these are awesome. Jason was really interested in all of the dough (as in cash flow) these would save us. I also like the idea of them being much more natural and healthier for the girls and not to mention all of the trash it would save.
But, we are a bit baffled at how the whole process works. Mainly because we are ignorant on the whole thing. So, could you tell us the poopey process (where do you put it (the poopey), where do you put the diaper, what do you disinfect it with, does it go in your washing machine (which I have to admit might scare me)). Inquiring minds really want to know the nuts and bolts of this system.
Thanks!
January 27th, 2008 at 1:45 am
Ok, is your sewing machine “special”. the things i sew never look that great!! Really, how long did it take you to make. What fabrics are the best?