I did a craft fair a while back where someone suggested I start making cloth diapers. She said "you'll make a killing". I wasn't really interested in "making a killing" so I kind of filed that idea away. I didn't use cloth diapers for my kids, so the concept has always been somewhat foreign to me.
In thinking about what kinds of classes might be interesting to teach at Beehive Sewing Studio, I revisited the idea.
Oh my goodness, not only are these easy to make, but also adorable. They came out so cute, I almost wish we weren't officially done having babies.....not really.
I made an "all in one" type diaper. It has a 6 layer flannel soaker sewn in under the fleece lining. I put a layer of PUL (that waterproof diaper fabric you can now buy at Joann) under the knit outer. For the blue one, the fabric and cool graphic came from a re-purposed shirt. Can't get more environmentally friendly than that! There's also an additional 6 layer flannel soaker you can add inside.
So what do you think? Since I have no experience with them, do you think making these would make a good class?
I'd love to hear what you think.
I love them and you did a good job. My children are grown but I did you cloth diapers for my children, now you know how old I am.
ReplyDeleteYep, cloth diapers are getting more and more trendy. I use them part-time on my son and would love to attend a class on making them. There are so many patterns and varieties out there that it'd be nice to learn one way first and go from there.
ReplyDeleteWonderful class idea, Ruby! They are super, super cute.
ReplyDeleteI have a whole box of cloth diapers on my attic. I so, so, so planned to use them and I so, so so did not. At first my newborn was way too small to use them, he drowned in them, so I started out with paper. And then, when I wanted to switch back, I just couldn't . I'm weak. I know. I just wanted to be able to throw out the diapers and not having to wash them. *hangs head in shame* ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, these look not only very good in a practical way, but also absolutely adorable. I think it would be a great class teaching how to sew these. Imagine these in all kinds of different fabrics.. too cute!
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ReplyDeleteA few practical things regarding the diapers. For velcro ones, laundry tabs to fold down the velcro tabs while washing is almost a must. Otherwise all the diapers stick together in the wash and they wear out quicker. Also, I'm not sure about using a cotton knit over top of the PUL as an outer. You might get wicking issues with that. The cotton knits are usually used in fitteds that have a separate PUL cover placed over them. And one more thing about velcro- you can't use the regular velcro from the store- it wears out too quickly. JoAnn does have the Babyville Boutique type which is Aplix or Touchtape which lasts longer and is wider for the strip across the front of the diaper. There are whole forums on places like Diaper Swappers that are devoted to making cloth diapers. It can be an addiction since they are so cute :)
ReplyDeleteI have my very own little cloth bum here. With my second child, we have discovered the wonders of cloth nappies. There are some really gorgeous designs and yours look cute as a button.
ReplyDeleteThere is quite a lot to learn about fit, materials, washing etc etc. I would recommend the lovely community on Cloth Nappy Tree. Sending out some of your makes to testers is a really good idea because there are so many variables that make or break a nappy.
We are nearly potty training, so I am now thinking about making some training pants lined with lovely Organic Bamboo Velour to help with any ickle accidents ;0)
I used cloth nappies for my little boy & loved them! I bought his newborn ones, then as he grew out of them made my own. I agree with one of the previous comments that Velcro is not the best choice, snaps are a much better option if you have the tools. But seriously they look soooo cute & are super simple to use, wash and dry with the new designs available. Yours look great!
ReplyDeleteI used cloth nappies for my little boy & loved them! I bought his newborn ones, then as he grew out of them made my own. I agree with one of the previous comments that Velcro is not the best choice, snaps are a much better option if you have the tools. But seriously they look soooo cute & are super simple to use, wash and dry with the new designs available. Yours look great!
ReplyDeleteYes! I would love to take this class but I'm not in the area. We are cloth diapering with our first and not sure what shape the diapers will be in for #2 (mostly because of velcro issues that people have mentioned above) so I'm definitely planning on making some. It's great there seem to be a lot of resources out there for making your own, but a class would be so fun! Love the graphic on that blue one.
ReplyDeleteI too think it would make a GREAT class and would recommend to MANY to take the class. I have made some CD for my babies and I find it so fun! You are in charge of the fun colors they wear! And so easy! I agree that snaps are the way to go rather than velcro. But a snap press is so easy. How fun!
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Those are great! I cloth diaper my kids too and just haven't gotten around to making my own. Laundry tabs are a must on cloth diapers that use hook and loop closures (like velcro or aplix), but I greatly prefer snaps on my cloth diapers. They just last so much longer -- even the higher quality hook and loop gets really worn out after a few months. I even had all of my hook and loop diapers converted to snaps so I could use them through more than one kid!
ReplyDeleteBamboo and hemp make even better soakers than flannel. They're something like 7 times more absorbant than cotton. I've gotten some bamboo for soakers at Celtic Cloths, which carries all kinds of cloth diapering fabric. I also got some bamboo velour from them which is so amazingly soft for the lining!