I'm bored. Dh is gone this week, and it's Chinese New Year so everything is closed. Anyone want to see how to do the pocket diaper with gussets?
This is based on the DCD pattern, the quick wrap with velcro. I have modified quite a bit, but it is still very easy to do. Here's how:
First, get your pattern out and trace it off. make your modifications as necessary. I rounded out the front panel, tapered the wings a little and curved the bound edge of the gusset (I like my gusset a little less "deep"). Be sure to keep all the markings for applying the gusset and back waist elastic. My modified pattern looks like this:
Then use your pattern to cut out your pieces. Cut one of fleece, one of PUL, two gussets of PUL and one strip of PUL (1 3/4" to 2 ") unless you are binding in FOE or something like that. Here I am using a printed woven PUL:
Cut a small slit into both diaper body layers where the back elastic is marked... I cut about 1/4" in. You can finish the edge between the cuts if you like, but PUL doesn't ravel and I never finish the edge of fleece:
If you have finished the edge of the PUL it looks like this:
Then you apply elastic to the gusset. I used clear elastic, but any kind will do... you can even use FOE to bind and gather in one step. I used the amount called for in the pattern, but you could just stretch, sew and then snip. Gussets curl up and look like this:
Apply self binding to the gusset, over the elastic, if you didn't use FOE. I have a binding foot, and it is invaluable for jobs like this. I picked mine up new on eBay for less than $10.
Apply snaps to the diaper front *before* you go any further. You cannot add them after you sew the diaper together! You will need to reinforce them; I use fleece:
Apply elastic to the back waist... both layers. You could do only the PUL layer, like FB, but this way looks so much neater. I don't measure the elastic here, just tack stretch and sew, then snip when I get to the end. The zig-zag sews the elastic in and makes the casing all in one step. I just turn the seam allowance over 1/4" to the wrong side, using the small cuts I made previously. The two layers now look like this:
Take the two diaper body layers and place them right sides together. Begin sewing, with a 3/8 or 1/4" seam allowance (or serge) right where the back waist elastic begins. I find that PUL on the bottom works best as the fleece has a lot of stretch. When you get to the first marking for a gusset, lift up the fleece and place the gusset on the PUL, *right sides of PUL together*. Be sure that the point of the gusset is well in the seam allowance:
Continue sewing slowly, with the top layer of fleece folded back a bit so you can see what you are doing:
I do not use pins (I never do on PUL), and this part is a bit tricky so use both hands and pull the fleece and gusset into place as you sew.
When you get to the other side of the waist elastic, turn the whole thing right side out and then tack down the two layers of the diaper at the very edges of the pocket, for re-inforcement:
Apply wing snaps. I use just one row, but some people like thigh snaps too, and this pattern can be adjusted very easily. Just make your modifications when you are tracing off the pattern.
Here's my finished diaper. Don't mind the snaps; they look a little wonky:
Not my best work, but I only got interrrupted about 50 jillion times! These go together really fast. Take out the gussets, and you can do a simple pocket diaper in no time flat. I like both styles. Try them for yourself!
WOW, Thanks! I may have to drag out my machine again before my baby arrives!!
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~Meg~ teacher, podcaster, but mostly sahm to my trio of little women (4, 6, 17)wife to Mr Big and dog-ma to Indy the crazy miniature golden retriever
Thanks Serena..
Just last night I said to DH...I need to make a dozen of these pocket dipes. Thanks for the tips...I'm going to ask Margaret(Rocketscientist) to add this to the sewing FAQ
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