One size diaper cover pattern

I have to clean this up a bit, but here is the pattern for my one size diaper cover. It can be used as a turned and topstitched cover with optional third patterned outer layer, or adding the inner slit opening to make it a pocket stuffable cover. Make sure it prints with the one inch square box true to size or adjust your size on the pdf or printer.

FRONT
BACK

Print both pages and line up front to back at markings and center fold line. This will print as HALF a pattern, cut it out and trace it onto another piece of bigger paper if you want the full pattern.

The picture tutorial is found HERE

Diaper Cover Tutorial - Turn n Topstitch

This will be my basic tutorial, which can be used for making waterproof diaper covers as well as pocket diaper covers! The photos and main directions are for a one size pocket diaper with a cute printed outer. I am making a snap up one size diaper, but as my 5 month old is already on the largest size, I believe the snaps could be left off for a good fitting 20+ pound cover if you do not have access to a professional snap press.
Pattern found HERE.



SEWING LEVEL: Medium, curve and stretch and sew capabilities needed

MATERIALS:
Pattern - THIS one is my favorite one sized pattern
1/4" braided polyester elastic - 18" per diaper
Guuterman 100% polyester thread (no cotton in your thread)
Loop velcro for the front - 10" if making my one size pattern ( I prefer 1.5" wide)
Hook velcro for the wing tabs - 4" - ( I prefer 1.5" wide)
Fabric:
You will need at least 2 layers to use this method called turn and topstitch. For a cover, at least one of them needs to be waterproof, so this can be 2 layers of THIN 100% soft wool ( I prefer cashmere or merino), or it can be one layer of PUL (polyeruethane laminate)and one layer of a soft polyester liner like thin microfleece or suedecloth. I prefer to buy my PUL in white and add an extra thin layer on the outside of a cute polyester print, making it 3 layers. You can get maybe 4 diapers out of a yard of materials depending on your pattern and placement. For a pocket diaper, the inner HAS to be a wicking material (suedecloth prefered)
Optional: Snap press and resin snaps ( I recommend KAM brand, not handheld pliers)

DIRECTIONS:

Pre-wash all materials before cutting. Use Ecover liquid, All small and mighty free and clear, Mountain Green , Charlie's soap, Publix free and clear, Country Save (wal mart) or a detergenet WITHOUT brighteners which can break down cover laminates, and scents which can irritate baby. Wool needs to be washed on HOT and "felted" well in the dryer to close up the knit holes.

Print your pattern, making sure the inch box is true to size, or resize to fit.

Trace pattern onto pieces marking elastic notches and snap placements (if using).
For cover or pocket cover plain, cut one liner and one PUL
For cover or pocket as in this tutorial, cut one liner, one PUL, and one poly outer
For wool, cut 2 wool
You also need to cut a piece of backing PUL or suedecloth to reinforce behind the snaps and velcro at the front. Just trace the pattern at the front down to below the snap/velcro line. Wool is so strechy that if you are using it, you need to leave off the snaps, or reinforce with a non-stretch material to keep the snaps from popping out.


Line up reinforcement layer with OUTER layer on the wrong side of outer and pin in place. This will be your PUL, Outer Wool, or third decorative poly layer.


Sew Loop (soft) velcro through both layers centered and right above top snap marks onto the right side of the outer layer.



Set snaps: top row studs and bottom two rows sockets ( I believe) :) through both layers

On LINER layer, cut a slit 5 inches long in the middle near the elastic notches on the BACK of the diaper. I fold in half, measure 2.5 inches and cut V notches at the ends.

Turn under edges of your slit and topstitch around, this will be your stuffing slit!



Line up layers: right side of outer to right side of liner and if using a third layer it will be the hidden PUL and that can go on either side sticky side hidden. More waterproof if against suedecloth liner, but see note below.

Sew through all layers with 3/8" seam allowance. If your suedecloth or liner is hidden by the PUL layer, you must leave a little hole for turning at the belly side front, if not, sew all the way around!

Trim corners and curves close to seam

Sew leg elastics with 5" or 6" of elastic (bigger for chubbier babies) Start at one notch and stretch to full stretch while you sew with a zigzag stitch to the other notch. Repeat at each leg and at back. I use 5" at the legs and 6" at the back.
Be sure to BACKTACK the ends of your elastics well!




Turn diaper through slit in liner or at the hole at top front. If you turned through the hole, topstitch it closed.

Topstitch at back BELOW the elastic, stretching it while sewing.


OPTIONAL (not shown) Topstitch all around the whole diaper going AROUND the elastic at the legs instead of through it, stretching while sewing.

Cut 2 pieces of hook (scratchy) velcro about 2 inches long each. Sew them onto the liner side of the wings, backtacking and making sure it is on there well! I sew 1/2 on the wing and 1/2 off, but if you have a skinny babe, it can be sewn all the way on the tab.


DONE!!!!

Diaper Your Own - Recycled wool sweater covers for cloth diapers

Sewing Skill: Medium - binding, stretch and sew, curved seams

Cost: under a buck if using old items, 2-3 dollars for picking up at thrift store

Materials:

elastic - 1/4" for cover, 1/2 or 1" for pants

sewing machine

wool fabric, 100% is best, any variety, marino, lamb, etc, even 80% and up will work. Best candidates, medium weight sweaters, jackets, skirts.

Optional: fleece or FOE

Velcro hook and loop

You can use one old wool sweater to make 3 of the best, ovenight approved, breathable covers you own! These are to be used OVER cloth diapers, either fitteds or prefolds. Cut down on clothing consumption by reusing and recycling!!!

Well, its really one pair of longies, and 2 covers if you bind. One longie and one cover if you do a 2 layer turn and topstitch for a thin one :) Remember, wool breathes, and although you do have to hand wash it in cool (splash of baby wash), you have to wash it less often and is much healthier for your babe than plastic. Its also actually COOLER in summer than PUL. These homemade covers were our ABSOLUTE favorites. Washing is ..hand wash in cool...when they get stinky or poopy, and an occasional splash of lansinoh BF cream dissolved in hot water for softening and extra water repellancy. I am not EXACTLY sure how wool holds the water in and absorbs excess without stinking of pee, but it does and it works!

I am still in the process of uploading my pattern for a one layer cover without binding...unfinished, but if your wool is felted enough, the edge should not unravel. Please email me if you need me to send you this. Only for thick wool.

1)Wash sweater/clothing in warm for thick, hot for thin to shrink. Shrink until approximately sweatshirt thickness. If its a thin Marino, for example, it will still work, just wash it on HOT a few times, then make a turn and topstich 2 layer cover.

2) Lay out your sweater. Line up all seams. Use the instructions here to complete the pants. I recommend using your favorite, well fitting pair of pants as your guide.

3) Use your favorite cover pattern to cut 2 pieces out of the sweater body. see patterns page for lots of options (free printable ones)

If you have a thin sweater, you should use a 2 layer turn and topstitch pattern. For a thick sweater, you should do a single layer and bind. You can see my pattern page for instructions on turning an topstitching. The difference between a turn and topstitch pattern and a bound pattern is usually the 1/4" - 3/8" seam allowance included in the turn and topstitch one.

Also your cover should be slightly larger than your diaper to keep all edges and moisture in!

To make a single layer cover, you need to either bind with FOE, a whole new adventure, OR bind with wool strips cut from your fabric, or bind with fleece. Do not use cotton. You need to add the elastic in the legs and back and then bind OVER it..without catching it

I am going to add the pattern for a single layer with no binding, but it is just an added seam allowance where the elastic will go on a bound cover pattern.

I know these "instructions" are far from complete, but you can use the instructions included in each pattern to complete your covers. I hope to add a full tutorial soon. Please email me if you have problems or are confused.