Here's a Q&A I had with Becky/the6dunlaps that I thought might be helpful to others also:
I am wanting to buy some cheap prefolds to make some of these.
I got my prefolds through the
Comfy Creations Coop. IIRC they were around $18/dozen for toddler size unbleached. Not sure if Vicky will be running another one soon, but you could check if you can't find them elsewhere cheap.
Question.. can you tell me how wide the back waist is (around waist) and front waist is on your pattern?
I measured my pattern and the back is 16" from wing to wing; the front is 11.5"; the narrowest part of the crotch is 7". For the leg curves I have the back wider than the front for more bum coverage. While testing my pattern I had it too narrow in the back - this made it VERY trim, but her little butt cheeks hung out, lol. I can send you a tracing of my pattern if you would like.
I love the idea of no elastic in the waist at all.. but do you not have gapping/sagging from it?
I like it without the elastic too and we haven't had any problems with gapping or sagging. I think you just need the right snap placement so it fits well around their waist. I've been making these for her since last August and the only times we have problems with leaking or wicking are if she totally soaks it.
I'm use to wide back waist, narrow front from my diaper making biz, but I'm not use to the waist being similar in front and back, but I LOVE the look of it. Seems like it would fit better and be trimmer.
You need the front wider than in normal diaper making because you can't get as much width out of the back wings so you have to make up for it with the front - does that make sense. Your limited by the width of the prefold (see note below about adding tabs). This makes them snap more towards the hip bones than across the belly.
Oh, I'd love to see a pic of your dd in them.
ETA: I removed the modeling pics for security purposes. If you need to see them, let me know and I can PM you.
I'm thinking too I could do these with my hemp/sherpa/velour etc. and just do an attached but QD soaker sewn at the back. But prefolds are so nice cause the soaker part is already made.
Yeah if dd outgrows these before she's potty-learned, I'm going to have to make them from scratch. blech! I love using the prefolds because all the work is done for you - you just have to cut it to the right shape.
ETA: Another mama here (thanks Marielle) reminded me that, if your pre-fold is not wide enough, you can extend the wings by adding tabs cut from the excess pre-fold. Then cut your PUL to shape and continue from there. Yay! I'll never have to make a dipe from scratch again, lol.
Another nice addition would be a microfleece top inner layer on the prefold.
Yeah, I've considered that, but we always put a micro-topped doubler in with these so it's not really necessary for us. Just habit, lol, dd always tended to soak just a prefold.
Let me know if you have any other questions/comments/etc.
What I like about these is that, while I don't really enjoy making diapers, I really don't mind making these. No more putting it off - they are so quick and easy.
~Becky