I've seen quite a few people say that they're intimidated by the thought of making diapers. I had DH snap pictures as I made a diaper last night hoping that seeing the steps of the process might be helpful for someone...
First, I have to thank Erin (ekortering) for her diaper draft-along. I made this pattern for a friend's daughter using Erin's very clear instructions.
Getting ready to sew: I trace my pattern onto a thick piece of paper and punch holes all along the elastic placement lines and where the snaps will go. Here you can see me tracing the perimeter of the diaper pattern with a water-soluble marker. I also stick my marker in the punched holes to note elastic and snap placement.
I cut approximately 1/4 - 3/8" outside of the outline. Not shown are the hidden middle layer (I prefer interlock for this) and the inner (velour). On the hidden layer, I don't make any marks, on the inner layer I trace the outline and sometimes note soaker placement as well.
Cutting the soaker pad. This is a thin-ish sherpa and I used 4 layers.
Sewing ~ My photographer got distracted watching the OC and didn't get pics of me serging the soaker together. I find it faster and easier to round the corners of the soaker. Here I am sewing the two long sides to the inner layer of the diaper.
Now the soaker is sewn in and here the three diaper pieces are stacked together. Outer print on top, hidden middle in the middle and inner layer right-side down on the bottom (i.e. the way you want them in the finished diaper).
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Jayme ~ mama to Nathan (10/98) and Lauren (6/02)
Elastic ~ I'm using lastin (I can only recommend the 3/8" heavyweight lastin, the other widths and thicknesses I've used have all broken) so I've got the machine set up for a 3-step zigzag. It's at the shortest stitch length so I can tack down the beginning of the elastic.
Now that it's tacked, I adjust the machine to the longest 3-step zigzag, pull the elastic and sew. Experiment with your elastic to see how much you need to pull to get the desired amount of gathering. Here's where having traced the outline is helpful, I use the marks on the outer and inner to make sure the pieces are all lined up properly as I'm sewing the elastic in.
When you get to the end, tack the elastic at that side and then (and only then) cut your elastic.
Once all the elastic is in, it's time to serge. I start in an unobtrusive area in the middle of a leg curve. Aim the blade at the outline and begin serging.
When you're serging next to elastic, pull the elastic so the diaper's flat not gathered. You don't want to stretch the fabric out, just pull it to it's pre-gathered size.
Continue to readjust your layers as necessary to make sure they're lining up properly as you serge.
Sometimes going around the curves can be tricky. If you're having trouble making a turn, you can stop with your needles down in the fabric, lift the presser foot and slightly reposition the fabric.
I know this isn't helpful (not that the last one was either), but here we're deciding on snap color. I thought this was a cool picture of the closet o' fabric though. My children both have quite a fascination with snaps and the snap press...
This is just one way to make diapers, I know lots of people do things differently. Feel free to chime in with different tips, techniques, ideas, what-have-you...
Wow Jayme, what a great sew along! I've been making lots of diapers for ds lately. He has outgrown all of his mediums and it seems like all of his hand-me-down larges wore out at the same time.
I would never have tried to do the Lastin in the middle like that. I usually sew it to my outer before serging -- so it is not attached to the inner, but I haven't really liked it that way. I am going to try it your way the next time I get to sew.
Thanks so much!
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~Shelly
Mama to Kaia (5yo) and Rowan (3.5yo)
And baby Douglas, born 5/4/06!
Babies In The Sun awesome cloth diapers, amitymamas take 5% off of orders over $30 with coupon code "nicemama"
My dad is home safe from Afghanistan! Do these kids look happy to see their granddad or what?
My first thought:
'Wow I almost want to go sew some diapers now! finally!!' (this coming from the person that has sewn practically NOTHING this pregnancy and doesn't see an end in site)
My second thought:
'I wonder if I can get a pattern tracing from Jayme' (yes even so I have PLENTY of diaper patterns here including ones I have made myself)
My third thought:
'I wonder if Jayme can cut some out for me and make like 'kits', then all I have to do is sew' (yeah yeah that sounds fun )
My fourth thought:
'I wonder how much paypal it would take to just have Jayme make them all for me?'
Final thought:
'Mmmmmm we bought Ben and Jerry's brownie ice cream, maybe I'll go eat that and then think about sewing later'
Sarah<------hopeless it seems
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Mommy to Elias (6/5/00), Hannah (9/23/01), and Barnabeas (4/21/05)
happy wife to Eddie
That is a beautiful diaper Jayme!! Plus I love your nails too. LOL! How shallow am I that I spent more time looking at your cool machines and your nails than at the diaper. Where did you get that fabric you used for the outer. It is so pretty!!
I also loved your fabric closet, the PRR stripe tank on your daughter and the cozy papa baby picture.
You did an awesome job sewing and your photographers did a great job shooting My machine does not have a 3 step zig zag, do you think a wide zigzag would work just as well? I miss my old machine!
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Beth ~ Mommy of 7 and one who went to Heaven before us 9/07
Expecting a miracle in January 2009! My first Granddaughter arrived 4/5/08 Next grandbaby due April 2009
That diaper is so cute - Love the fabric - and your sew along is awesome (I've never made a diaper & don't think I'm ever going to......) - what a sweet DH for taking pics !! ...... Love your closet too - soooooooooo neat !!
Monica
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SAHM to my cuties Kyle (9/26/99) and Camryn (12/26/01)
Aspiring diaper-makers, I have a sewalong for you
Where did you get that fabric you used for the outer. It is so pretty!!
to your DH!
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