Making One Size Cloth Diapers & My Newborn Sizing Hack

Little by little I'm starting to make things again now that life is settling down and my daughter's feeling better.  Even though I've got a long list of various projects I want to tackle, I'm starting with stuff I need for the baby since our new arrival is just a few weeks away.  I've only just gotten started on getting all the things we need together so prioritizing that is key.

One of my big must-haves is diapers.  This will be my 3rd cloth diapered babe (I didn't even realize it was an option for my first).  Despite that, I'm starting my diaper stash from scratch this go round.  It's been close to 6 yrs since my youngest child was in diapers!  

I dusted off a pattern I'd used back then and so far have made these cuties:

Even though it had been ages since I'd made cloth diapers, it was easy to get back in the saddle.  I used a diaper PUL panel called Bee My Little Honey (bought from Diaper Sewing Supplies/Sahara Fabrics) to make this one:

For this diaper I used a panel called Little Lion Big Hug (also from DSS/Sahara Fabrics):

I love how both have cute large design backs.  Adorable baby bums are a must!

I used the NykiBaby One Size Pocket Diaper Pattern to make them all.  This pattern's design is one of my favorites.  It fits 8-40lbs.  It's a simple-to-follow PDF pattern and offers both pocket & fitted styles.  The finished results are just as good as store-bought cloth diaper brands I've used over the years, since there's a 2 setting adjustable rise and loads of snaps to get the right waist fit:

My third diaper is a variation of the pattern that will fit a brand new newborn (closer to 5lbs) and still fit up to about 15lbs...maybe even more:

I also added a snap down feature in the front like other newborn diapers have to dip the top down while the umbilical cord heals:

I decided to make a newborn hack version when I found the last piece of this Woodland Gnome print PUL I had left in my stash was too short to use the pattern in its normal full one size:

I tweaked it to work as a newborn-15lb version by folding the full length, longest, snap rise up so that I only kept the smaller rise adjusting snap settings:

I followed all the pattern directions like normal, except I made the back wrap-to-front closure wings slightly narrower and added my own center snap settings slightly above and below the main front rows to create the umbilical cord snap-down feature:

Years ago I invested in a snap press and it's been a worthwhile investment.  I've used it to make loads of diapers, training pants, on clothing, bags and all sorts of other stuff.

It's been way easier to use than pliers or setting tools, which is key when you have lots of snaps to set like on these diapers.  

I also always use plastic clothespin to hold my micro fleece lining and PUL together while I sew to keep from having any pinholes, then dry the finished diapers in the dryer on high to seal up the stitching holes.

Here's how my newborn version compares to a store bought newborn-15lbs diaper:

Here's how my newborn version compares to the same OS pattern, unadjusted, at the smallest snapped-up sizes:

And with both fully opened at the maximum size settings:

I still want to make a few more, but I'm excited to have some that'll fit baby right away and some that will last through to toddler time, when I'll need to switch to making some training pants.  Luckily, I've got a pattern for those too (which is my own Sanity Saving Training Pants Pattern) and have a gnome-y pair already waiting:

And a matching wet bag to make a full gnome-themed set too:)  It's nice to finally be feeling the baby-stuff making vibe!

Tutorial Time: The Best DIY No-Leak Wet Bag

I know the title of today's project is a bit boastful, being called the best & all, but after years of using and making wet bags, I think I've hit on a foolproof design for making these babies kick leaks to the curb, so it deserved more than just "wet bag tutorial" as its name.

In case you're wondering "What's a wet bag?": Wet bags are useful for any time you want to transport something wet or damp without it soaking everything or everyone near it: cloth diapers, potty training accidents, bathing suits, laundry, etc.  The best part, besides keeping wet stuff contained, is how they can be tossed in the wash with the contents, which makes cleaning them a breeze.

Not only are these bags handy, but they're a relatively quick sew too.  I'd made the usual basic single layer versions over the years & they'd worked pretty well, but with the kids having weekly, year-round swim classes, I found they all started to leak or wick around the seams over time. Even stripping (a cloth diaper washing technique for removing leak-causing build-up) didn't help.  I like making them, but didn't want to have to make new ones every couple of months! 

Then I thought that making a two layer bag might work better - especially if the seams of the layers didn't match up and BOOM!  This no-leak powerhouse wet bag design was born.  It doesn't matter if I put wet suits in them or leave them sitting for a bit before tossing in the wash.  The outside still stays nice & dry because there are two separate waterproof layers, plus the inner has no bottom seam to minimize any damp seepage.  Now let's get to some bag making so you can make some too:)

Materials Needed:
- PUL fabric - 1/2 yd each for lining & outer (or extra large diaper cut for outer)
- 24 inch piece of grosgrain ribbon between 5/8 inch to 1 inch wide
- Sewing notions: rotary cutter/shears, safety pin, clips, marking pen

My finished bag dimensions are generous enough for several bathing suits, clothing items or diapers.  I always love whimsical prints on my fabrics and these cuties didn't disappoint - I loved these jolly gnomes+hedgehogs & tuxedo-wearing bulldogs with pipes I bought over at Diaper Sewing Supplies.

Cut the lining piece to be 12 inches high by 32 inches wide and outer to be 17 1/2 inches high by 23 inches wide.  PUL has a 4 - way stretch so there isn't a grain direction to worry about.  

Fold the outer fabric in half width-wise, right sides together and clip.  You don't want to use pins with PUL since those leave permanent holes (you want this baby to be as watertight as possible!)

Measure 1 1/2 inches from top and mark along side edge.  Make a second marking 1 inch below that and stitch the side with a 1/2 inch seam allowance, leaving that gap open.  To keep the shiny side of the PUL from sticking to the presser foot, run a bit of clear lip balm along the fabric.  It's easy to wipe away after & won't damage your machine (sewing through tissue paper or using a Teflon foot are other options, but this is SO much simpler & cheaper).

Open the seam allowance and stitch around the gap that was created - this will make it easier to snake the ribbon through the casing later.

The bag will now be a tube.  Flatten so it will have the side seam along the center as shown below and clip along bottom edge, then stitch bottom closed.

Now it's time to square off the bottom corners to create depth.  Pull out each corner to a triangle point, with the bottom seam in the center of the triangle.  Measure two inches across, mark and stitch.  Trim off the excess.

To make the lining, fold the fabric in half, right sides facing out and stitch along both sides. Square off bottom corners & trim off excess as done previously.

With outer bag right side out, insert the lining (shiny side in), into the outer bag.  Press the bottom corners of outer and lining together with your hand or a ruler.  Use clips on the corners of the outside to hold the layers together so they don't shift while sewing.

The top edge of the lining will be shorter than the outer:

Fold the outer edge down, over the lining and clip all the way around:

Stitch all the way around 1/8 inch from the raw edge of the outer fabric to create the bag's casing:

Turn bag right side out.  With one end of the ribbon attached to the safety pin, insert into cases and snake around to the other side.  Use a lighter to seal the ribbon edges (to prevent fraying) and either double knot ends together or overlap the edges and stitch together, then shift the ribbon so the stitching is hidden inside the casing.

Toss the bag in the dryer on hot for about 15 minutes to heat seal the stitching holes and the bag is ready for whatever wet wearables need containing.

And if you're looking for patterns for items to go in wet bags, check out my Sanity Saving Training Pants pattern (+ pattern giveaway):

and my Bathing Beauty Bathing Suit Tutorial

Happy Sewing!

Specialty Fabric & Notions Gift Certificate Giveaway!

All week long I'm going to be sharing two of my favorite sewing materials: 

PUL Fabric and FOE (Fold Over Elastic)

Ways to use them, tips & tricks for sewing, plus several brand new project tutorials. And to start this week of specialty fabric & notions, I have a fantastic giveaway for a $20 Gift Certificate to Diaper Sewing Supplies:

Diaper Sewing Supplies, is a great shop for cloth diaper making materials, but don't let the name fool you.  They offer LOADS of supplies for those of us who are no longer in the diapering stage too.

I've purchased fantastic PUL prints there that I've used to make snowsuits, snow pants and waterproof mittens:

My Waterproof Snowsuit, Insulated Mittens Tutorial and  DIY Snow Pants Tutorial

These prints also great for wet bags to use at the pool/beach or for making waterproof items for pets. And Diaper Sewing Supplies offers the very durable and food safe Eco-PUL™ in solid colors (I'll be sharing more on this ultra amazing stuff later this week):

They also have a great selection of FOE (Fold Over Elastic) which can be used in countless ways: an amazing alternative to bias tape, an ideal finish for knits, easy waistbands, stretchy straps, headbands and much more.  These are some of their super cute prints, but they have a rainbow of solids too:

You can even get micro fleece & natural fiber fabrics, as well as snaps, velcro and specialty goodies like Lastin (clear elastic) and buttonhole elastic (the stuff that makes kid's pants adjustable).  And they offer a choice of free gift with every purchase over $15. This has given me the chance to try out some sweet extras on my past orders, so I know it's a real added bonus!

Later this week I'll share some new projects and methods of making the most of using PUL Fabric and FOE, but to kick things off...

One lucky Sew Can Do reader will win a 

$20 Gift Certificate to

Diaper Sewing Supplies! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck Everyone and come back tomorrow 
for my latest PUL project tutorial!