Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Diaper Sewing 101

Cloth Diaper Sewing

Ever looked at cloth diapers and thought, ‘wow, that’s such a great idea…. but they’re so expensive!’ ?  While using cloth diapers is less expensive than using disposables, it does involve an upfront cost which can be intimidating (though worth it in the end!)  One way I’ve found to decrease the cost of cloth diapering is to make my own diapers.  Not only does it cost less, it has also allowed me to make exactly what I want, exactly the way I want it.  My hand-sewn diapers are more economical, trimmer fitting, more absorbent, and cuter than diapers I purchased before I learned how to sew my own.

Any type of diaper that can be commercially bought can also be sewn at home.  If you’re good at reading directions and willing to give sewing a try, cloth diaper sewing can be an affordable way save even more on diapering your little one!

This cloth diaper sewing primer will walk you through the basics of diaper sewing, including the types of diapers you can make, what types of fabrics you should use, which patterns to use, where to buy materials, and more!  It does not cover the basics of sewing, but if you need help with those I do have some resources to recommend. 

Let’s get sewing!


Cloth Diapering 101
The first thing you will need to do if you want to sew your own diapers is gain an understanding of cloth diapers in general.  There are a number of excellent resources that explain the ins and outs of cloth diapering, and I’ve listed some here.

Locally (in the Fort Wayne area), we have a couple of resources for getting to know cloth diapering basics:
  • Birth Matters, an education center for families from pre-pregnancy through toddlerhood, offers cloth diapering classes once each quarter.  This is the only place you can go locally to see and touch the different types of diapers in person.  I highly recommend them:  http://www.birthmatters.com/
  • Sprouts Baby Wear, a local cloth diaper distributer, has a nice cloth diapering summary on their webpage which describes the different types of diapers available.  If you’re considering purchasing commercially made cloth diapers, I recommend ordering from them.  Here is a link to their diaper description page: http://www.sproutsbabywear.com/budding-out

There are a number of sites on the web that contain information about cloth diapering as well.  A few of them are:
Now On to the Sewing!
When I first started sewing cloth diapers and diapering accessories, the most intimidating things for me to figure out were 1.which fabrics and materials to use (and how many layers!); and 2.which patterns or tutorials to use.  The remainder of this primer will help you figure out those two key issues, as well as provide some additional resources.

Cloth Diapering Materials and Fabrics
This section will be a run-down of what types of materials are out there, and what they’re used for.

Absorbent Fabrics
Just like it sounds; absorbent fabrics absorb liquid.  As a general rule, natural fibers absorb well.  Some synthetic fibers are designed to be absorbent, but most are not.  Absorbent fabrics are used to make prefolds, fitted diapers, the insert portion of pocket diapers, and the soakers of AIOS and AI2s.

Wicking Fabrics
Wicking fabrics do not absorb liquid.  Instead, they allow liquid to pass through them and ‘wick’ onto other fabrics.  Most wicking fabrics are 100% polyester.  Wicking fabrics are used as the innermost layer on pocket diapers, which is what keeps baby feeling dry.  Wicking fabrics can also be (but are not always) used as innermost layers on fitteds, AIOs, and AI2s, and diaper covers.

Waterproof/Water Resistant Fabrics
Waterproof or water resistant fabrics are used for diaper covers and for the outermost layers of pocket diapers, AIOs and AI2s.  This is what keeps baby’s clothes from getting soiled. 

Closures
This is what keeps the diaper closed and on the baby.  Most often they are snaps or hook and loop tape (like Velcro).

Elastic
Most diapers utilize elastic around the legs and back, with the obvious exception of prefolds.  Polybraid or lastin elastics are popular for this.  Fold Over Elastic (FOE) can be used to bind diaper covers.

Needles & Thread
  • Cotton thread can be used for Prefolds, Fitteds, or any diaper not featuring a waterproof fabric.  For pocket diapers and others using waterproof fabrics, use polyester or nylon thread to prevent wicking.
  • When sewing through PUL, it is recommended to use a small sized ball point needle in order to prevent sewing holes that can cause wicking.
Where To Purchase Materials
Local fabric stores carry many of the supplies needed for cloth diapering.  Both JoAnn Fabrics and Hancock Fabrics now carry PUL, the most commonly used waterproof diaper fabric (it is with the utility fabrics), and nearly all fabric stores carry some sort of absorbent cotton materials and some sort of wicking fabrics.

There are, however, some specific diaper fabrics and supplies that cannot be purchased locally at this time.  Online diaper fabric and supply retailers include:

Diapers can also be made out of upcycled materials from around your house or thrift stores.  Old flannel sheets, t-shirts, and even wool sweaters can be re-purposed for diaper use.  Just check the fiber composition and determine whether it’s absorbent, wicking, or water resistant.

A Few Quick Notes:
  • Always, always, always wash fabrics prior to sewing with the same wash routine you would use for your diapers.  This will prevent shrinkage once the diaper is sewn and will help to increase absorbency.  If you’re using upcycled materials, you may want to wash multiple times to eliminate detergent residue buildup.
  • Many absorbent fabric types can be made from cotton, hemp, or bamboo.  Bamboo is the most absorbent, hemp is next, and cotton is the least absorbent.

The following cheat sheets outline a number of popular diaper materials, which fabrics and materials fall into which material category, as well as which materials you’ll need for each type of diaper or diapering accessory you might want to sew.










Absorbent
# of layers for soaker
Wicking
Waterproof
Closure
Elastic
Available locally
Notes
Flannel (cotton)
X
8




X

Microfiber
X
3





Synthetic fabric designed to absorb, must have another layer of fabric between microfiber and the baby’s skin as it will dry skin out.
Zorb
X
2





Must be sandwiched between other fabrics
Zorb II
X
2





Can be sewed on its own
Birdseye
X
8




X
Often used for prefolds or flats
Terrycloth/French terry
X
4




X
Same fabrics typically used to make towels or bathrobes
Sherpa
X
4






Velour
X
*




X
Cotton velour available locally, hemp & bamboo velour available online
*Typically used for inners/outers, not soakers
Cotton knits/ interlock/jersey
X
*




X
* Typically used for inners/outers, not soakers
Microfleece


X





Suedecloth


X



X

Panne Velour (Crushed Panne)


X



X

Minky


X



X

Polyurethane laminate (PUL)



X


X

Wool



X


X
Must be felted and lanolized for water-resistant properties, not for use in pockets, AIO’s or AI2s
KAM Snaps




X


Size 20 plastic snaps most frequently used for diapers
Hook & Loop (Aplix or Touch Tape)




X


Like Velcro, but Aplix & Touch Tape are higher quality
Snappi




X


Used for prefolds
Polybraid





X
X
Can be tacked down at each end and cased
Lastin





X

Must be sewn down throughout length of elastic
Fold Over Elastic





X

Used to bind diaper covers


Diaper Types & Material Requirements ~ Cheat Sheet

Absorbent Fabrics
Wicking Fabrics
Waterproof Fabrics
Closures
Elastic
Notes
Prefolds
X




No closure attached to the prefold, but snappis can be used to secure them
Quick Snap Flap Wrap
X


X


Fitteds
X


X
X

Pocket Diapers
(shells + inserts)
X
X
X
X
X

All-In-One / All-In-Two
X
X
X
X
X

Diaper Covers

optional
X
X
X

Wetbags


X
X

Closure is typically a zipper
Training Pants
X

optional
optional
optional



 
 
Patterns & Tutorials
Now that we’ve covered diaper materials, I’m going to go through each type of diaper and give my recommendations for patterns and tutorials

Prefolds

Quick Snap Flap Wrap
The Quick Snap Flap Wrap is not a commercially sold type of diaper, but is popular among work-at-home diaper sellers on sites such as Hyena Cart or Etsy.  It is easier to use than a prefold, is very quick and easy to sew, and has a very fast dry time.

There are 2 free versions:
http://jayejaye.freeyellow.com/diapers/sns/QSFWpatts.pdf
http://jayejaye.freeyellow.com/diapers/sns/SWQSFWpatt.pdf

Wetbags

Cloth Training Pants
Fitteds/Pockets/AIOS/AI2s/Diaper Covers
Most patterns for pocket diapers can also be used to create fitted diapers, AIOs/AI2s, and Diaper covers.  There are so many of these, and they are so diverse, that I have put them into a table for easy identification
Pattern Name
Where to find
Free Pattern
Fitted
Pocket
AIO/
AI2
Cover
Notes
Darling Diapers Unlimited
http://www.darlingdiapers.com/shop.html

X
X
X
X
Extremely detailed with a variety of closure and style options.  I highly recommend this pattern for the beginning sewer.
La-Di-Da
http://www.ladidadiapers.com/?page_id=2

X
X
X
X

Hippy Hippy Snap
http://hyenacart.com/onestore.php?vid=1224&category=4

X
X
X
X

Fattycakes
http://hyenacart.com/prod_details.php?id=92348&vid=752

X
X
X
X

Little Comet Tails
http://hyenacart.com/LittleCometTails/index.php?c=9

X
X
X
X

Trimsies
http://www.trimsies.com/

X
X
X
X

Je M’appelle
http://jmorganics.com/index_files/JMPNappyPattern.htm

X
X
X
X
One size buttonhole elastic instructions, S hook closure option (both are unique to this pattern, as far as I know)
Nykibaby
One size
http://hyenacart.com/NykiBaby/index.php?c=11&p=53970

X
X
X
X

Nykibaby Butterfly
http://hyenacart.com/NykiBaby/mt/2272/28493/NykiBaby-Butterfly-Fitted-Diaper-PDF-Pattern

X



Fold-in wing soakers; easy sew
Rita’s Rump Pocket Fitted
http://handmadebyrita.blogspot.com/2007/10/classic-rrp-ritas-rump-pocket-pattern.html
X
X




Rita’s Rump Cover Pattern
http://handmadebyrita.blogspot.com/2007/10/httpwww.html
X



X
Fits over RRP fitteds
Cloth Revolution
http://themafiatutu.blogspot.com/2010/04/free-cloth-diaper-pattern.html
X
X
X
X
X

Katrina’s Quick Sew Soaker
http://katrinassqs.blogspot.com/2007/10/free-soaker-pattern.html
X



X
Wool pull-on cover


For additional diaper sewing resources, please visit: www.makelaughlove.com or feel free to message me via facebook or my blog.






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