Happy Tuesday All!
I hope everyone is having a craftastic week! I stayed up all night with this next project but I am super stoked to be presenting it to you!
I have been really inspired by those people who use cloth diapers. I have also been very uninspired by the price of diapers. I mean really, $25.00 for a box that lasts a month, less if your child is like mine and poops all the time!
So after reading a few DYI blogs and studying the picture of the Bum Genius diaper, I set out to Joann's to find the fabric and all the other gadgets I needed!
I purchased a fabric in the utility section of the store that is called PLU. It is plastic on one side and 100% polyester on the other. I was alittle disappointed when they only had blue, pink, and green. I then purchased some anti-pill fleece, which is 100% polyester too, in white. I was going to get some terry cloth and make my own inserts but then I walked by some bins and they has microfiber rags 2 for $2.50. After reading what diaper companies sell for inserts, a lot of them had said microfiber, so I scooped some up (I will let you know if they work better then terry cloth!)
I went home and got sewing. I used no pattern just then outline of a disposable diaper. This is the result of my first attempt at a diaper. Now don't laugh:
Ok, you can laugh. For some reason I thought that the plastic side should be outward, I had to buy velcro at Joann's because they had snaps but no snap attatching tool (what?!) and it over all stank! But if you are like me, I normally have to just power through a project until I understand what it is I need to do.
So after a 10:00pm run to Walmart to by some sewing needles (I bent my last one) and picking up some snaps that they had there (I must have looked very strange to those at Walmart) I got started on the second one.
This one I am so proud of! Here is the finished product:
I figured that the plastic needed to be one the inside, I love the snap look but those snaps SUCK!!! I will have to figure out where I can purchase better ones.
I liked two features of the Bum Genius diapers that I incorporated into my pattern. One, the no leak top and then the covered insert hole.
Here is a more comprehensive look at the covered insert hole:
The insert goes into the diaper and then it is hide by the flap. I am alittle worried about the seam irritating the babies skin, but we will see! Here is also look at the microfiber insert.
All in all, I am very happy with the overall project (although this one is a wee small for Isaac) and the price for it was under $20.00 which should make about 6 diapers and ones on the internet cost that much a piece. I can't wait until I can find good snaps and can make ones that actually fit my baby!
I sqeezed him into the diaper to get an action shot!
Check out my side bar for link parties I am joining today!
Tuesday
I'm amazed that you made this diaper yourself, with no pattern! It looks pretty good!
ReplyDeleteOk, so I'm a huge fan of cloth diapers (well these all in one diapers at least, they work just as well as the disposable, but save SO much $)Anyway, I've been making my own for about a year now, let me give you a few hints I've found through my trial and error:
ReplyDelete1. Snaps are awesome, look into the cloth diapering community in your area and you can usually find someone who has an industrial snap press (which is what you'll really need for a snap that will actually put up with the washings that the diaper will go through)
2. For elastic- make sure you give it a casing, or you can use fold over elastic and it goes on the outside. After a while the elastic will wear out and you'll need to replace it.
3. If you can't find anyone who has an industrial snap press DON'T use regular velcro. Find Touch Tape. It's just like velcro, but it's so much more durable (which is really important when it comes to washing and rewashing cloth diapers.
4. Microfiber is AWESOME! Make sure it doesn't end up touching the skin because it will dry the baby's skin out.
See, about 1 1/2 yrs ago I actually bought a cloth diaper pattern- NOT worth it! The only thing I've kept was the shape. I've learned so much during this time of making and using them.
Your diaper is fantastic. Especially with out a pattern or anyone helping you.
If you do have any questions just shoot me an email, bfcourage at yahoo dot com
Happy Diapering!
Oh, and I'm sure your tired of my cloth diaper comments but one more thing (I think it's the last) but you were saying you were disappointed with the PUL choices, well, when I first started making them the only PUL the local store had was white. And I REALLY wanted to have cute diapers. So, I simply added another layer on the outside, a cute one with different boy fabrics (since they were for my son) and they work great, doesn't change them at all except making them cuter. Oh, and then he just wore the diapers instead of shorts (which he loved because he HATES getting dressed) So, if you want them to be more fun looking, just add a cute fabric to the outside. (I did only use some cotton because I didn't want them to get too much more bulky)
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventurous craft! I considered cloth diapers for a looong time. right up until the second DeVon was born. You'll have to let me know how you like it. If i have another kid, I'll definitely try making this.
ReplyDeleteKimra
http://crafty-cove.blogspot.com
http://kimraskreations.blogspot.com
Great job! It looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'll give you a few more tips from my cloth diaper-making experience.
--KAMSNAPS makes a pair of snap pliers and sells plastic snaps. They are so much better tham metal snaps and will last longer and not rust. They are easier to insert too, I think. They run about $40 for the pliers, an awl, and a 200-snap starter kit.
--I noticed you used fleece on the inside of the diaper. A lot of people actually use fleece on the outside because fleece is water resistant. The fleece that cloth diaper companies use is microfleece, which allows moisture to pass through, leaving the baby's bum dry. Cheap fleece blankets that are sold for $1 are usually microfleece, but they pill really badly. I usually buy suedecloth, which also lets the moisture pass through, and at Joanns can be found in a variety of colors.
Your diaper looks absolutely awesome but if you want to buy a patter, I recommend Darling DIapers Unlimited (downloadable, $13). Also, the Cloth Revolution pattern is free and also has tons of diaper-making info, so you might want to google it just to get some more tips. I've also used the free Rita's Rump pocket diaper pattern and the free Tighty Whitey Hipster pattern and liked both. Once again, awesome job!
Thanks for linking up with Anything Related! ~Bridgette
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Thanks for joining us at A Crafty Soiree... hope you share more tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your cloth diapers with us at A Crafty Soiree! Purchasing them is so expensive, it's great that you are able to make some yourself. I like the fun blue color you picked. Please join us next time too!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking at these homemade diapers for two days and I have to say, all other issues aside, your cloth diaper looks so clean and seemless that it creates an elegant look to it. I love the idea of not covering the front and how the back does not bunch so much and show off the elastic. I'm an intermediate sewer as I've only really hand stiched things but Im going to strive to create a pattern as clean and modern looking as yours!
ReplyDelete