TeamDavis

As a follow up to my previous posts (cloth diapering #1, #2) I wanted to add that my last batch of cloth diapers that I made so far are my favorite [photos to come].  I improvised my pattern/design with two major changes. I’m including information about that and then some other general info and tips from my experience.  The opinions expressed here are my own unless otherwise stated, and everyone has their own opinion on everything baby related, so I am in no way the final expert on this stufff. ha!!

First, I improvised a front opening pocket, rather than one that opens in the back. The advantage to this is that (1) you can leave the insert in when it’s yucky, and toss it in the washer.  Naturally it will fall out, or if it does not, it still gets very well cleaned (if I notice it has not fallen out during the wash, I do pull it out to put in the dryer at least now it’s not so yucky!) ; (2) the pocket in the front can be wider and I found it is easier to stuff, easier to remove the insert, and I would imagine easier to add additional doublers, etc.

Second, I top stitched around the entire diaper, except where the elastic was.  Previously, per the instructions I had been following, I top-stitched all the way around.  At a suggestion from a Very Baby tutorial, I opted to not stitch at the mid-section where the elastic is, and it actually leaves the fleece more soft and it rolls nicely.  The area of fabric around the elastic seems to dry more quickly which is also a bonus. I’ll try to post a picture to show the difference. I adapted my pattern of the front pocket, adapted from a tutorial on Very Baby.  [Note about that website...it's all called Very Baby, but the diaper tutorials are under www.diapersewing.com, while their supplies and such are under verybaby.com. They are linked to each other, too, but sometimes I got confused.]

There is another pattern that has what they call a “welt pocket” that may be more helpful if you are sewing your own AIO…aka All In Ones, with their built in waterproof shell. Some women have been nervous about it, but this woman has helped by posting a video tutorial on Youtube, and maybe it would be helpful to watch.  The welt pocket is a design from Kayla’s Cloth Kits, a recommended pattern, although I wasn’t won over by it.  There is a review of this pattern here at Cloth Diaper News.

And finally, just some other general notes that I don’t believe I mentioned before…

Notes about Elastic: By the way, there are several ways to stitch in elastic (you can find several tutorials and videos online).  I used the method of zigzag stitching over it while it is turned inside out.  Some people prefer a “blind” stitch method which makes a casing for the elastic, and does not stitch through it. I just never tried this.  If you make the casing, obviously that will negate what I mentioned above about not top stitching around the elastic.  Another note about elastic, I did like using the Cotton Swimsuit elastic. It is available at Joannes and at many stores that sell cloth diapering notions online.  It’s in a natural color; seems to dry more quickly.  There is also Lastin clear elastic; I just have not researched it or tried it myself.

Note on my diaper pattern: I have adapted my own from free ones, although I have had this Very Baby Diaper pattern come highly recommended (by online mommies), so if you are considering one it may be worth purchasing.  They offer a lot of tips and variations to their pattern, which could be very helpful in perfecting your own design.

Quick note about the “velcro” used for diapers: I have liked working with Aplix hook & loop tape.  I have had many people recommend Aplix brand, or the Touch Tape.  TouchTape tends to be cheaper, so it’s nice.  I don’t notice a TON of difference between the two.  But the Aplix “loop” tape (the soft to the touch side) is a little bit softer than the TT.  So if you are considering that it may rub your baby, that’s something to consider.  I would highly recommend Aplix or Touch Tape as they really are supposed to hold up much better than Velcro brand with the heavy washings these diapers will be seeing. TT even comes in various colors!  I am now tending to go with spending a little more on the Aplix loop and buying the TT hook.   In general, the ratio seems to be recommended 3 yards loop to 1 yard hook for diaper making.  You can also get loop fabric, but I haven’t looked into that.  I bought mine so far with orders from Very Baby, Celtic Cloth Wholesalers, and from Sewzannes.

Another note about the velcro is that Mama Bird Diaper Patternn instructions recommended using a straight stitch, where many others recommend zigzag.  Mama Bird’s experience was the zigzag over time wore on the fabric harder than the straight stitch with the pulling of the hook & loop tape off and on.  Not sure because I don’t have proven experience over much time, but just tossing that out there.