I just finished making PrincessH a shitload (see the pun there?!) of diapers.
Back when my babies were really babies, I also used cloth diapers. They were pretty basic for me, but more advanced than what most people who used cloth were used to. Instead of flat diapers that needed to be folded into shape, I made flannelette, hourglass shaped ones. Some needed diaper pins, but by baby number 5, I had graduated to velcro. The plastic pants were pretty fugly though, weren’t they!
Fast forward to 2010, one almost requires a PHD in diaper making to maneuver around …..Terminology- CD – clothdiaper, AIO -all in one, PUL (Poli Polyurath Polyurethane laminate (there. I knew I’d get it!), lastin, aplix, pre-folds, contoured….Types a mind boggling assortment of WAHM (work at home mom’s), who all tout their own version of what seems to be the same basic pattern, free patterns, purchased patterns, websites with dimensions to use to draft your own…and Fabrics. Don’t get me started on fabric! Wool. That PUL stuff . Fleece- the good stuff vs the “bad stuff”. Organic Fleece. Terry cloth. Bamboo. Felted wool. Breathable. Non-breathable. All the old teeshirts and sweatshirts you have hanging around. And there’s the entire discussion surrounding different kinds of elastic, velco versus aplix versus snaps!
Breathing heavy here. Bending over at the waist. Finger pointing up “just give me a minute here”…
Wow!
No wonder people use disposables!
Kidding aside, there is definitely an entire industry out there!
Mme Kate and I have been doing some investigative work of our own, trying to come up with the “perfect system” for Princess H.
We started with the Jalie Diaper. We had to start somewhere, and as a loyal Jalie fan, it seemed like a logical starting point. And they have a great set of videos as a teaching tool. Kudos!
I gathered a pile of PUL, Bamboo fleece, and ZORB (that is an entire post on its own- to come) and sewed. and sewed. I purchased all that at Wazoodle, a Canadian online store that specializes in diaper making supplies. There have been some rumblings on the sewing blog circuit that their customer service is less than desirable. I found them extremely easy to work with, although I did stress that I needed my order quickly.
We started with the three month size, pocket diapers, with inserts. The inserts are Zorb covered with a variety of fabrics. There was a bit of a discussion to be had with my serger, who balked at so many layers. We compromised!
The diapers turned out pretty darn good. I’m not completely happy with the leg openings, as there tends to be a definite leakage problem. So Kate and I did some thinking and for the next set, we are adding these alterations.
1. adding an interior gusset with elastic a la disposable diapers.
2. putting the “opening” in the middle of the diaper instead of the top. Supposedly, the inserts will come out in the laundry that way. We will see!
3. Using fold over elastic. (FOE) I have a lot from an online source – also Canadian!
The kid is pretty well set for the time being though.
Fabricwise, I also got some PUL ish type fabric- pink with quarter sized dots, off of Etsy, some leftover waterproof fabric from Malden Mills (red) and a few yards of PUL from Joann’s when I was in the States. Lots of new stuff to try out.
Here are some photos of the diapers, in construction mode and finished. Pics of diapers adorning PrincessH’s bum will have to wait- her face is just so darn cute that we forget about diaper photos!
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Oma said a “bad word”!! Oma said a “bad word”!!
Wow, who knew that diaper science has come so far? I’m like you Connie — from the 1980s, I had Curity Day Night Prefolds, pins and instead of rubber pants I used some kind of super soft waterproof nylon feeling stuff. After 2 babies used my 4 dozen diapers I put them away to use as dust cloths….and I still have over 3 dozen that haven’t been used. Nothing beats a worn diaper will all the lint washed out of it for dusting!
Do you think the kids are better off with the new style diapers or have they been over engineered now that we have high tech fabrics and sergers?
What a darling granddaughter! She looks happy with her diapers.
I’ve been cloth-diapering and have had a lot of success with the Chloe Toes pattern (http://www.chloetoesboutique.com). NAYY, etc, but I’m really happy with the resultant diapers. I’m also thinking of trying gussets to help prevent poop leakage – haven’t tried it yet, but this tutorial (http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/gussets.html) makes it look pretty easy.
I have six nephews and a niece and the whole New Cloth Diaper thing baffles me as well. My mom used prefolds with big ol’ diaper pins and plastic pants. It worked!
…and with no children of my own… I’m chuckling with the evil thought: Watch Princess H decide to toilet train herself at the earliest age ever: 3 MONTHS!!!
yes, that would be the sound of my evil cackle!!!
Great work! or should I say “Great sew!” I too, had not realized diapering had evolved and become so specialized.
How many of these does a single adorable grandchild need? You are a good grandmother!
I just visited your blog for the first time. It is lovely.
Thank you.
JoanneM
http://www.missmuslin.blogspot
Oh my gosh! Your grandaughter is SO cute!!! And who would have that diapers would be so hi-tech. So much to learn for when I’m a grandmother (that would be many years from now LOL).
That baby is just precious! I made and used cloth diapers on my second baby and I believe I used a Simplicity or McCalls pattern. I still had to use rubber pants because I had no idea what else to use! Unfortunately I had to use disposables on my third because for some reason she was a very smelly baby and cloth diapers only made it worse!!
Might as well keep on sewing for the next one!!! And then keep on sewing because I will catch up soon!! LOL