Making Cloth Diapers

Boxer Briefs

2010-05-26T10:56:00.002-05:00

Found this free tutorial today and decided to make some for my 3 year old. He has a 19 inch waist, so I cut the waist band 3 inches by 15.5 inches. The gusset wasn't my favorite, but I love how easy it was, and that I can repurpose all those old shirts of my boys I was just planning on giving away. :)

By the way, I think if you just did the steps until you finished the waistband, you could have a cute skirt for a girl.

Another To-Do List

2009-10-24T16:54:00.003-05:00

I started a to-do list when I was pregnant with Isaac. Then we moved and I never got to really sew him anything up. But now I get to do it all over again. :) I have a lot to sew up this time. I really want some nb, and smalls instead of just prefolds. I loved using the prefold, and I got a good deal on them, since I couldn't sew my own with moving and fixing up the repo.

To-Do for Joel
1. Finish 2T/3T trainers

To-Do for Isaac
1. Fix elastic on all the BG's.

To-Do for New Baby
1. NB QSFW -6 5
2. NB EZ-Dipe - 6
3. NB La-Di-Da -6
4. ~~NB Fattycakes -4~~
5. ~~NB diaper cuts - 3~~
5. Finish small fattycakes I startetd for Isaac, then he outgrew.
5. Small QSFW -6
6. Small EZ-Dipe - 6
7 Small La-Di-Da -6
8. NB Upcycled Wool Soakers -3
9. NB Fleece Soakers - 3
10. ~~NB PUL Cover DDNB - 1~~
11. ~~Small PUL Cover DD- 1~~
10. Small Upcycled Wool Soakers -3
11. Small Fleece Soakers - 3

To-Do for Mommy
1. Family Cloth
2. Post Partum Pads -6

To-Do Misc.

I'll add to this list and cross off as I get things done. Sounds busy. Now if only I wasn't so tired when the kids were sleeping, I might have time to get some started.

Win Free Diapers on Facebook

2009-10-15T12:33:00.003-05:00

I love making my own diapers, but I came across on kissaluv's facebook page that you can win free diapers from them. All I had to do was write about their diapers on my blog or tweet. To me, free cloth is better than sewing your own. Though I still find myself pulling the ones I made first before any bought ones. :)

Check them out to see how you can enter.

Hooded Poncho

2009-10-13T14:31:00.003-05:00

Another off topic sewing project. Anybody with babies and toddlers know that carseats are required for the first 6 years of their life. Good weather or bad. But in the cold weather months we bundle our children in coats that are thick and bulky. They make carseats potentially not safe if left on. But when it's blizzard-like outside, you don't really want to take the time to get that coat off. I found myself waiting until the latest I could to put coats on my children. All the while wondering what outsiders are thinking of me and my parenting skills. Walking in with them wearing sweatshirts and no winter coats... I found somewhere a poncho made for carseats and thought, that is just what I need. So I made one for Isaac. This is just two layers of fleece and then a hood sewn to the layers.

I got the pattern from diaper swappers, here. I just left the bottom layers unfinished for now. Fleece doesn't need to be finished, so I'm happy with it. I kept this real long. This year it won't matter much since Isaac won't be walking. Plus it doubles as a blanket for him. And I'm hoping it will still fit him next winter, as well.

Don't mind the sour face. He'd just woke up from his nap and did not like something thrown over his face. When trying it on before the hood, he loved it. Laid right down and snuggled up into it like a blanket. :)

La-Di-Da Diapers Grand Opening

2009-09-30T15:01:00.003-05:00

Not too long ago I tested the La-Di-Da Diaper Pattern. I loved making these diapers up. They were quick and easy and Jennifer has done an amazing job writing directions easy enough for beginners but great for experienced seamstresses as well. There are some ideas for sewing that I hadn't thought of myself that makes sewing snapping pocket diapers easier and quicker. With my two kids I was able to test the small, medium and large diapers. It is a hip snapping diaper. This has been my favorite style of snapping diapers easy to snap and get nice and tight. I find with side snaps they are too far on the side to snap easily. The front snaps are nice, but is hard sometimes to get nice and snug. The La-Di-Da diapers are trim fitting with a scooped belly fit, yet the rise is very generous. The medium fit both my 8 month old baby (17lbs) and my 2.5 year old 27 lb son, comfortably. The diaper fits below the belly and "hugs" the hips. I wouldn't put pants on my baby when he was in these diapers just because they are so cute. They still are the ones I grab first in my diaper stash. And it's been almost four months since I've tested these diapers.

Small-Medium-Large Comparison

The medium on my baby...

And then on my toddler...

La-Di-Da Diapers pattern is $8.50. You will be able to download it right away for instant gratification. All who purchase the pattern through October 29th will be entered into their drawing to win some prizes. If you would like to hear more about their Grand opening, or to purchase this pattern, visit here for more details.

Olive 'N Tea Tree Oil with Chamomile

2009-09-25T16:10:00.002-05:00

I have made my own cloth wipes. With Joel I just used plain water with them. But I didn't like how it didn't "glide" and clean as well as with other solutions. With Isaac I tried using baby oil and baby wash, but his skin was too sensitive. I decided to try one more solution, and we have yet to get a bright red rash for his skin yet!

Ingredients:
4 cups HOT water
2 chamomile tea bags
1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/8 cup Baby Bath (just used Parents Choice brand)
5 drops tea tree oil

Mix all together. I left the tea bags in until I replaced, but you don't have to. I just pour my wipes solution onto some cloth wipes in a wipes container.

Chamomile Tea has some amazing benefits including helping with skin problems or diaper rash. Tea tree oil is a disinfectant and deodorant. We started using this also in our diaper pail and it has help with stink issues. Extra Virgin olive oil is a moisturizer. And the baby bath is a mild cleaner that also helps the olive oil mix with the water so everything is oily and greasy.

One thing I did find when making this is that it is best to let it all sit awhile. The first time I used it, the wipes were a little oilier, but the next time, it was all mixed really well. So make it up a day or two before you need it, then it'll be ready to go.

Tinkle Time Trainers and Fleece Shorts

2009-08-16T19:38:00.002-05:00

I bought a trainers pattern for Joel. Since our potty learning has been good, but he likes to pee for some reason at home all over everything, I wanted to start having him wear some thicker undies.

The problem??? He refuses to wear these. :( Not sure why he doesn't care for them. All he wants are pants. He did put a pair of shorts on later and call them undies.. Maybe I need to buy the ditto daddy boxer pattern??

This is the second pair I made. The first one was made like my EZDipe I have listed on my etsy account with brown waist band.

Here is a pair of fleece shorties I sewn up. I meant to make them pants, but got confused and measured from the top instead of the waist for the inseam...so shorties they became. Not sure if I'm going to list these on etsy or not. What do you think?

Family Cloth Designs on Etsy!

2009-08-08T17:03:00.003-05:00

I finally decided to open me an Etsy store. My plans are for cloth diapers wool soakers and mama pads. Maybe a few other accessories like baby wipes. I've also listed a few crocheted baby items I have made. Come check it out. familyclothdesigns.etsy.com

The name was fun to decide on. I thought about doing something with treehugger since my oldest son LOVES to go around and hug all the trees he can. But...I couldn't think of anything that I liked. My mom and grandma used to make porcelin dolls when I was a kid, and their business name was Family Designs. So since I'm going to sell cloth for the whole family, Family Cloth Designs was born.

Quick Snap Flap Pattern Update

2009-07-04T08:26:00.001-05:00

Just recently found out the Diaper Sewing Divas is not allowing new members at this time. The pattern for the quick snap flap wrap can be found here. And the soaker here. If you need a picture tutorial, you can find that here.

I have been busy sewing up some diapers from a tester pattern. And am loving it, so haven't made these recently. I have found quite a few new patterns lately, and so am looking forward to finding the time to sew more. It's getting easier as Isaac is getting older and entertaining himself a lot more.

QSFW Modified

2009-05-28T14:48:00.003-05:00

Here's my 5 month old, 16.5?? lb baby wearing the medium with the extra rise. This is my favorite QSFW that I have made yet. Not quite as quick. I added blind elastic to the legs and back. I used woven flannel receiving blanket. This is 2 layers. The fit on Isaac is really nice. I folded the flaps down. A must with adding elastic. If you had a girl, you wouldn't have to fold them all the way, like I did. Keeping the absorbancy in the middle. Then with leftover pieces of the blanket I made a 4 layer rectangle soaker. So, 12 layers in the front for my boy. But washing it's only 2. I think it's neat the way the elastic went into the legs. In the front it is rolled (where the flaps fold in), and in the back it ruffles. By the way, I didn't add the middle snaps. I figured with the woven I wouldn't need them, and I was right. Isaac fits on the smallest setting, so room to grow in this diaper! yay!

Another QSFW and Cover

2009-05-08T14:34:00.003-05:00

QSFW

These diapers are so much fun to make. Here is one I used an old flannel receiving blanket. All the other diapers were fitting loose, so I made this one in small and didn't use the extra at the top. Well...the rise is good. But the woven flannel doesn't stretch and this thing barely fit. So I added one snap on each side. This is taken before that. With the two snaps, it fits much better, but not for long. Isaac gave me a BM in this diaper as well, and no leaks. It wasn't his first one that day, but enough to give me a clue as to the hold up on these. The "catchier" the fabric, the better, I'm sure. These diapers are making me very happy. They seem trimmer than a disposable diaper, yet absorb better than some of my microfiber inserts. Maybe I'm changing more often? I don't know.

Katrina's Soaker.

This one is a medium in the fleece pattern. It fits good, slow to get on, but fits perfect on. Love to make these things. So easy, and they fit over these trim fitted diapers so much. Yes, this one is purple. I have lots of pink and purple fleece. I won't be using the pink for Isaac, but maybe something for me.

Undies

2009-04-28T14:46:00.003-05:00

My son is pretty much potty trained. We actually don't use any underwear yet, but I wanted to make some for him while we are waiting the 3 months out. These ones I used the Katrina's Quick Sew Pattern for diaper covers. I used a medium, thinking the waist measurements were going to work for if he had a diaper on underneath. I was wrong. They fit him snug. I doubt he can get them on and off himself now. Which is too bad, because they turned out SOO cute. I used an old tee for this project. I think I'll try out the XL next and see if they fit good or if those are too big. But at least then he'd grow into them.

Snap Flap Wet Bag

2009-04-28T14:32:00.003-05:00

Once again, I found a pattern tutorial at Diaper Sewing Divas. This one is the Snap Flap Wet Bag. I cut a piece approximately 20x13, to end up with a bag 10x13. In this picture is 3 medium swaddlebees diapers(yes, I buy diapers too) stuffed with infant prefolds. I wanted to find a piece of fabric and found this one in my bag of give away fabric because it was too small for me to use. . Funny. It was the perfect size...Only a small excess from the strap.

Quick Snap Flap Wrap

2009-04-27T14:36:00.003-05:00

Came across a new, very simple diaper pattern the other day. You can find it at Diaper Sewing Divas. It is the Quick Snap Flap Wrap. These diapers do not have snaps in the photo. The white diaper, I put snaps on before Isaac used it. The green I used a snappi. It is sherpa, so the snappi works well. The pattern uses no elastic. But, I think I'm going to add elastic to it on the inside before you fold the flaps over to help with containment.

New Love, Flat Diapers

2009-03-26T14:11:00.002-05:00

So I found this video on You Tube for folding flat diapers.

I have been trying to figure this fold out since Joel was a baby. Got it figured out and tried it on Isaac. And now I'm in search of all my old flannel receiving blankets to use as flats. They work so well. I just snappi them on. It doesn't work great with flannel, but with a nice cover, it holds in place. I roll the diaper up around Isaac's thighs, and done. I like this way better than anything else so far. I haven't had the test of a poopy in one yet, but maybe today since I've finally found enough blankets for several changes.

For those who wonder how to make these, easy. If you have receiving blankets, they likely are the right size, about 30x30. 27x27 is good to if it's preshrunk. So you don't have to do anything. Otherwise, prewash your fabric and cut to size that you desire (either above will work) and then serge around the edge.

Do you have any idea how nice and clean these things are going to get without any elastic or folds to catch? Or multiple layers to try to rinse out? And then drying...how fast do you think these things would take out on the line?

So many who cloth diaper are in it for environmental reasons or it's the "stylish" this to do. I do it for those reasons too, but I am just too cheap to get the stylish, $30+ diapers that are out there. So I am finding myself more and more old school the more I cloth diaper. Though...I still like my snappy and PUL covers more than pins and vinyl plastic panties.

Two Brothers

2009-01-27T14:21:00.002-06:00

Over a year ago I made these. And my cousin, with the same sweater made these.

Here are my two sons wearing the items. It's hard to get a front view picture of both a baby and toddler...But these are some of my favorites.

Look at my chunky Isaac.

Isn't this one just adorable?

And then Mr. Skinny

How Crunchy are You?

2009-01-22T19:51:00.003-06:00

I was reading my friend's blog and she took a crunchy test...I was nursing, and so I figured, why not. The original quiz was here.

1. Do you have a homebirth?
No - alternative birthing method(birth center, CNM in hospital, hypnobirthing, hospital birth, ALL natural without any drugs of ANY kind)

My answer, but I have considered it in the past, and will definitely keep it an option in the future.

2. Will you circumcise?
No
Yes

I didn't know what to put here. We had Joel circumsized, and plan on Isaac, but just tonight we were thinking against it. I put yes, because we have and are not 100% opposed to it.

3. Do you use cloth diapers?
Yes - wash and make own diapers

4. Do you observe your fertility signals using; Natural Family Planning/Fertility Awareness and use that for birth control?
Yes - observe and use for birth control/TTC; or you use ecological breastfeeding/lactational amenorrhea

5. Do you co-sleep?
No - but room in with baby. Baby has own bed in your room

Not opposed to it, and if Isaac did not sleep at night like Joel, would be in bed with us as well.

6. Do you use a baby sling/soft carrier?
Yes - make and use your own slings

7. Do you breastfeed exclusively for the first 6+ months?
Yes - including exclusively pumping moms

8. Do you believe in/practice child-led weaning; even if that means breastfeeding for several years?
Yes - up to 3 years

This is what I put, though I believe each child's circumstance may be different. I weaned Joel at 16 months or so, but he only asked once or twice afterwards.

9. Do you tandem nurse/nurse during your pregnancy?
Yes - nurse during pregnancy, but wean before birth

No opposed to tandem, and even considered it myself, but chose not to for my and the pregnancies health (physically and emotionally)

10. Would you/have you ever breastfed/fed someone else's baby or have someone else breastfeed your child?
Maybe

If circumstances were to benefit someone else's baby, it might seem weird, but I'd do it for the baby's health.

11. Do you eat organic/whole/natural foods and limit your meat?
Thinking about it

I agree with my friend about organic being very "hype" but I also believe there is some importance to limiting things like preservatives. Limit meat? Nope.

12. Do you use herbal/homeopathic remedies?
Yes - but use a doctor occasionally

13. Do you homeschool?
Yes - currently homeschool

My kids technically aren't old enough, but we will be, so I answered yes.

14. What's your take on childhood vaccinations?
Delayed vaccinations, seperate vaccinations, or selectively vaccinate

I answered this way because we seriously considered this, but will probably be on schedule.

15. Do you use cloth/re-usable products for mom? (Sea Sponge, Diva Cup, etc etc)
Yes - make and use own

16. Do you wear make-up?
No never

17. Do you shave?
Sometimes/Rarely - some parts, like armpits but not legs or vice versa

Ok...I do shave both armpits and legs, but rarely because I just don't need to. :)

18. What is your shoe style?
Give me my socks and shoes please

19. Do you use natural cleaning products/etc?
No

Not usually, but sometimes I'll clean with vinegar or baking soda.

After my quiz, my test results....

124
Mmm! Love that whole-grain crunch!

(this was high end of the third most crunchy)

Isaac in Cloth

2009-01-13T15:13:00.002-06:00

I finally got something to update. I made this diaper several months ago. And have onlu used it 2 or 3 times. This will be the last time Isaac will wear it as well. This is the dd newborn pattern. Made turn and topstitched. It also was not made with stretchy fabric, so I would suppose this makes it a true newborn sizing, as Isaac is approximately 11.5 pounds.

Swimming in Trial and Error

2008-07-10T09:56:00.003-05:00

I wanted to make Joel a swim diaper for when we go camping next week. I read someone suggest to use the Katrina's Free pattern and use FOE. So I made a medium. Then I couldn't get the thing over Joel's thighs. I guess it runs a little smaller using FOE and woven PUL. I'm wondering if it's even stretch for a newborn.

So, I decided to try a different pattern that says you can make with a swim diaper. The Wee weka side snap pattern. I made one using M/L and FOE. This swim diaper is HUGE on Joel. No way it'd be able to contain in the swimming pool. Maybe next year??

So, I decided I liked that pattern for a swim diaper, so I used the S/M sized of the Wee Weka pattern. By this time I was getting nervous I was wasting PUL. But it fits!

Little Comets XXS Fitted

2008-07-10T09:51:00.002-05:00

This diaper turned out so cute. It is super tiny. This is a little comets XXS. Probably the size my newborn will only be able to wear when we go home from the hospital. I forgot to add a inner layer, so it has a lay in soaker. I got frustrated with my serger when making the soaker. It kept breaking the needles, so the last side is zigzagged from my sewing machine.

Darling Diaper Newborn T&T

2008-07-09T13:20:00.004-05:00

I found some beautiful fabric sitting in my closet, and even though I am to be making swim diapers for Joel, I found the time to sew up this beauty. It's a darling diaper newborn. The fabric is a little stretchy. This is the first DD newborn that I've sewn turn and topstitch. I also made it a true fitted with all the soaker inside. As my husbands says, another "owl" diaper. :)

Along for the Ride's Babywearing Stash Contest

2008-06-26T19:27:00.002-05:00

It's been a long time since I've posted, and now I'm going to do an off topic post. :) You can win 5 different baby carriers if you sign up here.

Win the Essential Babywearing Stash from Along for the Ride (one Beco Butterfly, one Hotsling baby pouch, one BabyHawk Mei Tai, one Zolowear Ring Sling, and one Gypsy Mama Wrap)

My To Do List

2008-04-03T10:56:00.003-05:00

Here's where I'm going to keep track of all the things I need to sew and have sewn. I'll add an take away as I see fit. :)

12 Darling Diaper Newborn Fitted Diapers (1 of 12 sewn)
3 Little Comets XXS Diaper (1 of 3 sewn)
3 Shar's Newborn Diaper
Try out the Goodness Gracious Diaper pattern, size small
3 Fleece Not so Flat Wrap small or medium
12 Large Diapers for Joel
4 Large Fleece Covers for Joel
Finish Baby Quilt
Crocheted Newborn hats
"Cozy Cocoon"

New Status: WAHM

2008-01-28T16:37:00.000-06:00

When I started blogging my cloth diaper making, I had no idea where it would lead to. I knew others could read my blog, but never expected anything to come of it, except maybe a couple, "that's cute" occasionally. Boy was I suprised to find someone wanted me to sew for them. It has been something I've wanted to do, but never really knew how to get started in a flooded market. These are not actually real diapers. They are to cover disposables for a photographer. These are my first ones I've made for her. Amazing to think that my sewing capabilities could be hanging on people walls someday soon....as treasures.

The technical details....I made these using the free Katrina's Quick Sew Pattern. In order to sell, I'm going have to give one away... (I've yet to make it, but it's coming, I promise. This order just needed out for a photo shoot.) They are made from t shirts.

Lots of Diapers

2007-12-19T12:04:00.000-06:00

So it's been a few months since I posted my latest sewing designs. I've been making newborn diapers for friends who were expecting. Diapers for Joel. And mama pads for me. No pictures of the mama pads. But I am excited about getting more made. I recently bought a drill press and dies and converting it to a snap press. I am in love with snapping. I've also learned how to serge diapers better and am loving the simplicity and quickness in not turning and topstitching. Here's my latest results.

These are two NB fitted diapers I made using the mamabird pattern. They have internal soakers. The green one is made with an old fleece shirt of mine and is SO soft. I made a diaper with Joel and fleece pants previously with that. The purple/blue diaper I just love. All cotton outer, but is so pretty. I used piping around the velcro for a more finished look.

This white diaper is using the free Darling Diaper Newborn pattern. I used an old white t-shirt. It has an internal soaker of two layers and a 4 layer snap in soaker. For 8 total layers. This is SO stretchy. It doesn't actually fit Joel very well... seeing how he's 11 months old, not a newborn. But it was so stretchy that the snaps worked on the tightest setting, top row and his small tushie fit in the back. I can't wait to have more babies to make more of these.

And.... Fattycakes!!

These are all my fattycakes that I've been working on. The first one I turned and topstitched and put the elastic in the seam allowance. The others I used hidden elastic, then serged. That is the way I prefer. These are all pockets. (notice the last one has his night time stuffing sticking out? we fixed that before bed...) These are all fitteds and need a cover. But I have some cute PUL to make some waterproof ones. I have enjoyed making these. The snaps are fun and the pocket opening has so much room for stuffing. They make really nice night diapers. I just need to get some matching suedecloth or microfleece so it keeps Joel drier at night. Just using the fleece liners keeps him dry in the front only, not the sides.

Rita's Rump Cover

2007-10-18T12:03:00.000-05:00

Been staring at this fleece sweater all week on my table. Finally got the nerve to cut into it. I knew it would be a cute cover, but I always get nervous cutting, like I'm going to mess up. Then, once it was cut I had to wait because I only had white touchtape. I had red coming, and definately glad I waited for the red. Since this is a cover, no pocket opening. I sewed it up, then realized i forgot to leave an opening to turn it back the right way. I had to wait until Joel was asleep, because in the sling he was very grabby and this dark fleece with black thread and a baby in front of me was not easy to sew, let alone frog. The end result....

The picture is a little dark, but I do really like this diaper cover. I wish I could topstitch better. The opening where I turn it inside out never looks right. grr. This diaper uses leg elastic sewn on the outside diaper layer, so it turns inward. Supposedly this is for "poop containment." We'll see. Then the back elastic I put on the inside diaper layer so it rolls away from baby. I used granny tabs for the tabs. I didn't use the piping, didn't have any, but oh it would look nice if I had, and red thread instead of black. (can you tell I'm a little bit of a perfectionist...) There is hook on one side, and loop on the other to give it a smaller fit. This fleece is SO stretchy. I am putting Joel in a Rita's Rump Pocket with this cover when he wakes from his nap so I can see how well this fits him. If it's nice with room to grow (it's supposedly one size) I will be making more of these. I have a white fleece sweater and several wool sweaters that would be nice for this wrap.

I love my Katrina's pattern I've been making, but this one will be easier to get on and off a squirmy 9 month old. :D

Newborn Fitted

2007-10-13T13:30:00.000-05:00

Feeling the love to share my sewing abilities. Here's a newborn diaper I made for a friend of mine who recently decided to cloth diaper her 4th baby, who will be here soon. I tried SO hard not to mess up, but I still did. But it turned out beautiful anyway. This material is thanks to Wallypop utilizing freecycle. I have one more of this type of material. Different pattern. Can't wait to use it. I wish all the diapers I made for Joel were this rich in color.

This diaper is a modified mamabird pattern. I did the elastic all on the seam allowance, even the back elastic. Then, for the soaker, I have a hidden 3rd layer that is where the soaker is attached to. I find I just don't like all the thread visible on the inside. So I used an old terry baby robe, and sewed on that. I topstitched the whole diaper except the leg elastic, to allow it a softer rollout. The leg elastic was sewn only on the inner suedecloth, before sewing the diaper together. The back elastic sewn on the whole seam allowance.

Making the newborn diapers tempts me for another little one. But, I still have my little one and he still wakes several times a night. So, we're still living that one up to God. :)

Winter Cloth Doll

2007-10-10T11:07:00.000-05:00

Made my first Waldorf doll. Turned out cute. Head looks like a potato. :) Stuffed too little, then tied the strings too tight. Oh well. The clothes make it all ok though. I think it'd be better without a face, so the face doesn't look so high.

Wee Weka Side Snap (Velcro really) ML

2007-10-08T11:00:00.000-05:00

Here it is. It is even more pretty in real life. It fits Joel wonderfully. It actually fits him on the smallest size so definately room to grow with this one. This is made with flannel outside and suedecloth inside.

My husband has yet another style of diaper to figure out how to use...the side velcro. hee hee.

I'm glad I figured out to put the elastic on the seam allowance. no wonder all my diapers prior turned out wonky. :D

Another Soaker

2007-10-07T18:47:00.000-05:00

LOVE how this one turned out. If you want to see what my cousin did with the rest of the sweater, check out Denise's link off to the side. This one's a medium.

I'm working on a fitted right now from weeweeka (is that right? looks funny). we'll see. it's side closing, not sure if i have enough snaps i want to brave it on, or just stick to touchtape, which isn't preferred for side snapping.

Camping with Cloth

2007-09-26T06:29:00.000-05:00

So most of these are store boughten, but this weekend we went camping. It was a pack in, pack out place, so we decided to bring our cloth. Yes, we packed them all in an army duffle bag, threw them inside the kayak, then kayaked across the river with them all. Then hikes another 100 feet with all of our stuff.

But the view from our campsite was gorgeous.

And there's our tent way at the bottom of the hill.

Sewn soaker

2007-09-24T16:16:00.000-05:00

I found a new pattern that I really like to sew.
Katrina's Sew Quick Soaker Pattern

I used a medium for Joel right now, who is almost 9 months old. I found the rise was just perfect, maybe a tad short though for motherease diapers. But I have found those things being a one size diaper have a really high rise in the back. I have struggled to get any cover over the backs of those except for ones with elastic and the airflow covers.

Finished Longies!

2007-09-19T14:11:00.000-05:00

I finally finished my first pair of knitted longies. Not too bad for a first timer. My knitting wasn't the best. I didn't like the way the short rows turned out. One leg is a little longer than the other. But it's all a little too big for Joel right now, but fits him good. So he'll be able to wear them for a while.

And in action...

Kizoodle

2007-09-04T11:27:00.000-05:00

My "off topic" posting. :) I found a new website. www.kizoodle.com It is a trade site for mom's. Where you use kizoodles to "buy" items with. For signing up, you get 5 kizoodles and if you use code MKZPW1 when filling out your My Kizoodle page, you receive an extra 2 kizoodles. Check it out.

Dyeing and more needlework

2007-08-23T13:44:00.000-05:00

I decided to pull out the kool-aid. And dyed the last soaker using 2 orange, and one lemonade. I also knit another one, with bigger needles and more stitches. Then dyed it with 3 lime flavored kool-aid. I also crocheted using this (http://heavenlyangelsinneed.com/patterns/Yvonne's%20pants%20pattern.pdf) pattern. But it ended up seeming really small and instead of pants, are more like shorties. Probably because my baby isn't a newborn anymore.

Here's these 3.

Now I'm working on some longies using Yarny Bits pattern. (http://community.livejournal.com/yarny_bits/89662.html) I don't like how the short rows leave holes. Next time I'm going to find a better way to do them. I've read online how you can "hide" them. But I don't want to switch my pattern now that I've gotten started on it.

I've also been working on diapers. Found a new pattern. Rita's Rump Pocket. (http://www.jordanpaperarts.com/tana/diapers/RRP/Ritas-Rump-Pocket-Pattern.htm) I enjoy making these. My favorite is the one with the leaves. Inside was an old fleece sweater of mine. It's SO soft. I think I'm going to add touchtape to these though. I have a squirmy baby these days and even one pin through a lot of fabric just doesn't work these days.

And lastly for now... my fun diaper. I just HAD to make a diaper from this material. I only had enough for a newborn diaper. So I did that, even though I don't know when I'll be able to use it now. I used the mamabird fitted pattern, but I turned this into a waterproof pocket. It had PUL hidden layer and blue flannel on the inside. I don't care for the way the touchtape sewn on, but otherwise, I love this diaper! I learned to sew the elastic on the seam allowance instead of the diaper. Then if you don't encase it, it rolls nicely outwards. And here I thought I didn't have time for sewing anymore... :)

First Soaker!

2007-05-23T14:12:00.000-05:00

My first knitted soaker. I used the Ottobre soaker pattern. Lionbrand Fisherman's wool and size 8 needles. I thought it was going to be WAY too small for my 16 LB little man, but it even fits his chunky thighs. :)

I'm definately making more of these! I may even learn about Kool-aid dyeing.

Another diaper in Action

2007-04-13T10:47:00.000-05:00

Compare the little legs in the previous post to Joel's chubby legs now. :D This is one of my favorite diapers. I used the darling diaper pattern, but instead of turn and topstitch, I used foe. It needed a little longer tabs, but not bad.

In Use!

2007-01-15T16:44:00.000-06:00

Now that Joel is here, and we are out of our newborn stash of disposables I can finally start using my cloth. I would have sooner, but my mother in law bought 2 more packages of newborn sposies. And, well, they don't stay that small for long, so I had to use them up last week. But... here's one picture of him in a fitted. They definately need the covers as Joel sure likes to soak them. About one an hour I think, unless he's sleeping. Guess I'll be doing lots of laundry. :)

More Newborn Fitteds

2006-12-18T15:50:00.000-06:00

Here's a view of the latest fitteds that I've made. I used the mamma bird pattern. Which is the first diaper pattern I made. I made the wings bigger, and used wider touch tape. The result turned out much better than the first time. Must be from all those diapers I've made. :) The white terry cloth diaper I didn't use any velcro. Will pin or snappi it on. The floral print (the one dh says looks like an army diaper) I serged instead of turn and topstitch. I like the way it turned out, except for the wings. Need some more practice going around corners there.

The orange diaper is so cute, I had to post a pic of both the inside and out. The orange is an old shirt of mine I was going to give away, and the inside was some flannel I thought would never have looked nice or match in a diaper...It's hard to see, but in between the lines of brown, there are also lines of orange, perfectly matching the outside of this diaper.

It's been so much fun making these fitteds. More time and work than the waterproof pockets, but the colors are so bright. It makes sewing diapers so much more fun that making 10 diapers that all look the same... (and what a cute baby Joel will be wearing all these different diapers...) too bad he'll grow out of them so fast..

Medium Stash

2006-11-18T09:17:00.000-06:00

I finally finished my mediums. Talk about cutting it down to bare wire. I am glad that they are all done before Joel is here. I still have other things to sew. But at least everything from here on out is for fun, not so much necessity.

Here are all the ones I made....

I've also felted a bum sweater for smalls. I have an idea of using terry towels and my soakers inside these until he fits into my pockets. A way to save $$ by using what I already have... I think I may need to make a little bigger though, the terry towels are a little bulky... But I tried it on a fitted I made earlier, perfect fit. I made this a 14 inch equalateral triangle. On the doll it is over the mamabird fitted diaper. Thinking of making a few of them if I have time. I don't care for fitted's too much, but for a newborn, it may be good to have some on hand.

Slings and Hats

2006-09-28T15:19:00.000-05:00

I've strayed a bit from making diapers for a while. Just because all my diaper stuff is not home and I am. :D I made a fleece sling using the pattern from http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/pouch.html. The first one I made was a little too small. Didn't have a measuring tape, so I winged it. But it fits my super skinny husband nicely. So I purposely made the next one too big. It is a little too big, but figuring that I'll be wearing it in the middle of winter with heavy clothes, it should fit just right.

Here's a pic of the sling. I'm by myself now, so I couldn't get a pic with me wearing it. Maybe another time...

I also found this really easy hat pattern on http://www.carewear.org/patterns/sew/sewing.cfm?pid=_p46_fleece_hat.cfm. It gave the size dimensions for a fullterm newborn, so I made my own pattern and have made hats with what little material I have on hand. It is to be made with stretchy fabric. You can see in my sling picture, I made a matching hat. I also made a red hat with sweatshirt material. But it didn't stretch like I thought it would, and can't get it on any of my dolls. I had an old pair of shorts that I cut up and turned into a hat as well. I had to cut two pieces and serge together instead of cut on the fold. It turned out just fine anyway. It was super stretchy, and fits beautifully. Not as thick and warm as the fleece, but just right for a newborn's daily wear. Going to have to get some cute knits if I can find any.

Here's my hats...

Joel is going to have WAY too many hats. He's not going to be able to wear them all..as many as I've made, between crochet and now this super wonderful sewing pattern.

My first PUL Diaper

2006-09-14T15:47:00.000-05:00

This week has been a busy get ready for baby week. I've made lots of wipes, soakers and even a diaper. I received my PUL fabric this week and couldn't wait to get started making a diaper. I bought only white since we're trying to save $$, but white is a diaper color and can be used for other children as well. I used the Darling Diaper pattern, with the exception of the way I did the casings around the pocket. I just added material to the top when I was cutting out, then pulled it down and sewed around the elastic. It is just much better that way. I use the shiny side on the inside of the diaper, that's how the fuzzi bunz do it. I think I prefer sewing with fleece, but PUL makes a less bulky diaper. I'll have to get some pics of my wipes and soakers when I can, but here's my diaper.

Darling Diaper Fitted

2006-08-31T16:32:00.000-05:00

This diaper was from www.darlingdiaper.com using the pocket fitted pattern. I used fleece for the outer layer, and alova suedecloth for the inner layer. Having black on the inside is a little different. I need to try this diaper out on a baby. It is shorter than the fuzzi bunz, but just as wide. Not sure if fitting is the same just not so bulky?? This pattern was pretty easy, but I didn't care for the way the did the back casing. I had to use a separate piece of suedecloth. I got a little confused while putting it together. I think I will adapt the wee weka casing idea of adding the casing before cutting. Seemed to cut out a lot of bulk and hassle. This pattern also doesn't use elastic on both sides of the back, like the fuzzi bunz. Not too impressed with that either. Thinking that I will keep the wee weka idea on that too, though it does use more elastic that way. Elastic isn't that expensive and I'd rather have a diaper I enjoy using. I'll try it out the next time. I may also try out side velcro next time as well. See which way I like better, and which way uses less velcro.

Soon I'm going to buy the better hook and loop tape and PUL fabrics. Just as soon as my husband gives me the go ahead. I'm going to go with all white I think. It's a little cheaper that way, and white goes well under near anything. We found out we are having a boy, but I'm going to try hard not to do too many "boy" diapers for when we someday have a girl. :D

WeeWeka Side Pocket

2006-08-31T16:19:00.000-05:00

This was made from the WeeWeka Side Snap Pattern from http://www.thenappynetwork.org.nz/diy.php. I don't have plastic snaps so I tried my metal ones. Bad news. So I took them all out and just used velcro. I think this is one of the cutest diapers I have made so far. It has fleece outer layer and inner layer flannel. The flannel matched so well. I like the way the back pocket fits together with elastic on both sides, for a neat finish.

Prefold Diaper

2006-08-31T16:13:00.000-05:00

I made this prefold quite a while back. Just now getting to posting it. It was pretty easy to make. I used all flannel. I don't remember now how many layers I made. I followed the directions from http://www.angelfire.com/biz/mothershelpinghands/mypatt.html. I do not like to turn and topstitch though. It looks ok, but I'm ready to get my serger back to working. I like how the serger gives a nice finished look, without bulking up the edges.

Well if it doesn't work well as a prefold, I can always use it as a thick mama pad. :D

Trials...for good and for bad

2006-06-09T12:03:00.000-05:00

I tried out my yellow "fuzzi bunz" this week. It worked VERY well. I know it will only get better as it gets washed more too. I kind of forgot that I hadn't washed the fleece yet. So I know the outter will get better. It was really cute on a real baby too! I was suprised that it wasn't as big as I thought it would be for him. So I decided I'm going to start making mediums, and when I get those to a proper stash, then I'll work on the smaller size for newborns-1 month olds. I plan on using disposables in the beginning week or 2 anyway, so I don't want to spend a lot of $$ making diapers when I really need the next size sooner. I may make or buy prefolds and a few newborn covers for the first few weeks if they don't fit into the mediums I'm making.

I started another diaper, also. This one is a weeweka pattern, pocket with side snaps. It is a small/medium, so I am hoping that this will transition better for the newborn, yet work up to the 26 lbs it claims. But... grrr.... I am having some frustrations this week with it. I think I am going to go back to aplix. Since I was just using fleece, I knew metal snaps would be fine, but I must be doing something wrong, as they won't stay on the fleece. I used these same snaps when I made my menstral pads, and no problems. I really wanted to use the snaps, because I don't like my aplix getting messy in the wash. I might just have to buy enough to make laundry tabs.

My first Fuzzi Bunz Style

2006-06-03T14:45:00.000-05:00

This is by far, the cutest diaper I've made yet! I used the fuzzi bunz type pocket diaper pattern. Link on right. For the outside, I bought some remnants of yellow fleece. The inside is using the same flannel that the rest are made from. The back elastic for the pocket I encased, but the elastic around the legs, I did not, just zigzag stitched it. I had to draw the pattern myself using measurements. I think I need to widen a tad in the front where it is at it's skinniest up towards the wings. It almost looks too narrow, and may leak. But it could be the doll I'm using, too.

And the inside of the diaper....

Dwarfs Diaper

2006-06-03T14:36:00.000-05:00

This is my second diaper sewing. I used the same MamaBird Pattern, but I enlarged the wings. This outer is actually an old nightgown of mine. The dwarfs are very worn, but I thought it'd look cute as a diaper. The inside is just cheap flannel. I did not put any inserts in this one, so all soakers will be on top of the flannel.

The nightgown was knit made, not weaved, so it was made a little larger than the first one. I'm sure that is the reason. But I'd kept the pattern size the same (or tried) because flannel is weaved, no stretch.

First Cloth Diaper!

2006-06-03T09:01:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I made my first ever cloth diaper. I used an old shirt that we were going to get rid of for the outer, and cheap flannel for the inner. This is a MamaBird Fitted Diaper pattern. I put a soaker in this one, but the last one I'll put a soaker in. I like the idea of reusing the soakers for the next size diaper. It will save me some $$. Not too bad for my first time. :)