make your own nappies??? HELP!!!!!

[InSaneOne]

who here sews their own pocket nappies?

i have a few questions:
1 do you buythe material and then cut it yourself from a pattern?
2 what pattern is the easist to sew? best for no leaks?
3 is it easiest to buy the premade kits to sew your own?
4 who's kit is the best? and the cheapest?
5 is there anyone who runs a sewing workshop so i can have a look and maybe a practice?
6 is it cheaper to sew your own than to buy premade pocket nappies like greens?

please help me! i am desperate.

Belinda

[Oscar's mum]

do you buythe material and then cut it yourself from a pattern?

You can do that or you can buy pre cut patterns as you already know.


what pattern is the easist to sew? best for no leaks?

I think that depends on your baby. Different nappies suit different babies.


is it easiest to buy the premade kits to sew your own?

Yes it is easier to do that, but I have never tried the kits so I don't actually know what they are like sorry. It isn't that hard to cut out your own though.


is it cheaper to sew your own than to buy premade pocket nappies like greens?

10 times cheaper to make your own!;)

[Sarie]

I've started using the terry training pants with some polar fleece strips to line them. I put plastic pilchers over the top and presto!

[Tea Lady]

Someone posted a link a couple of weeks ago to a page where a person had sewn 3 of the popular free patterns to compare them - you may find the photos helpful if you want to choose a pattern (sorry - can't remember exactly where the thread is!).

I cut my own from a pattern I adapted and it works really well for my DD. It's alot cheaper than buying readymade ones - I'd guess around 8 or 9 dollars per nappy (including stuffing).

Good luck!! :)

PS bubbaearth is the cheapest place I've found for hemp and PUL, but microfleece is cheaper at spotlight.

[Tea Lady]

You can find the comparisons and pics at http://baroquestar.livejournal.com/176873.html

[InSaneOne]

thanks for that guys. i am going to have a go at sewing my own. any one got any more usefull tips that i should know before i start?

what is the best type of elastic to use in the legs?
how do you sew pul?
where do i get hth and loop?
what is the best thread to use?


sorry for all the questions?

[Funkychicken]

Hi Belinda,
I have made a few by adapting the pattern from this site.

http://www.thenappynetwork.org.nz/diy.php

I basically cut the nappy, but allowed a bit extra all around, from polar fleece. Two layers and a pocket sewn into the middle. The elastic is called Fold over elastic-I got it, and all the other materials, from Spotlight. I didn't use any waterproofing (PUL etc...) and I gave it a trial run today and was so surprised to find a sodden terry in the pocket but a nearly dry nappy. Polar fleece is amazing at repelling water! I also used velcro, not snap buttons as in the picture with the pattern.
The other type I have made is based on the CUTY cover. Don't know if you have seen them. I just copied one basically and for the waterproof strip and side gussets I used a ripped PVC mattress protector that was lying around the house. These are great, I used some tye-dyed print polar fleece and put the splat pattern on his butt! Can't wait for summer to show it off! If you want I can take a couple of photos and email them to you. Let me know.:D

[reAllytee]

Remember to check ebay also as they have heaps of nappy making items quite cheap & buying in bulk will also save on postage etc most pul has to be bought online anyways.
Im hoping to start making my own really soon & im hoping to start a business from it but we will just see at least i can make us as well as friends & family cheap nappies !
:D

[Funkychicken]

As Allyoo said, you will have to buy PUL online. For those who may be wondering, I checked with Spotlight and they don't stock it. I might check Lincraft though:idea: . I'll let everyone know.:)

[Tea Lady]

I"m pretty sure Lincraft in Bris doesn't have it, but bubbaearth will let you pick up in Bris, which will save on postage. I use swimwear elastic in the legs and back and have also used lastin which was fine, but I think the swimwear one will last longer.

I like to sew PUL with the rough side up and I peg it to the other material (easier than pins). It takes a bit of practice to get the knack of sewing PUL - I need to hold the fabric up as it goes under the foot to stop it slipping. When sewing the elastic you need to sew it to the fleece side (not the PUL) because that helps the legs to curl the right way. My first few nappies were pretty horrific, so don't worry if they don't turn out well the first couple of times.

Hope that's some use. :)

[Vanessa]

You should be able to get most of your basic materials from your local Lincraft or Spotlight. You can get swimwear elastic, velcro hook and loop, and your fleece too. I'd use a good quality polyester thread. You can also get PUL from Nappies Covered. If you find it difficult to sew with PUL you could try using a teflon foot. They cost about $20 but are so worth it! Otherwise I have heard of people using baking paper/pegs/clips too. :)

[reAllytee]

Yeah most of the nappy patterns i have been looking at advise to use clothes pegs or the bull nose clips when sewing as its easier & also doesnt leave marks like the pins will.
Ive checked Spotlight & Lincraft neither stock PUL. :(

[Oscar's mum]

Ive checked Spotlight & Lincraft neither stock PUL. :(


Yeah unfortunately you have to buy online!

I have some excess blue PUL I am willing to sell if you want it though! I am sick of the colour! lol PM me if you are interested.

[Issey]

Wow some great ideas on here :thumbsup:

I sew my own from a pattern I downloaded from the web ages ago. I had to make them smaller and used flanellete, velcro to fasten and 6 layers flanellete for the soaker, and elastic legs. They look like fluffies shape.

I wish I used waterproofing though so am about to make some larger nappies as bubs only just fits in these now, I think I will try polar fleece as that sounds like it doesn't get as soggy. I have heard you can use a plastic shower curtain for the waterproofing, could get one from a cheap shop. I am going to try this.

[InSaneOne]

cool debster let me know how that shower curtain works. i might have to try that too.

thanks everyone for such great ideas. i think i understand it a little better. i know who to call on now if i get stuck in the middle of making my lovely nappies.

thanks guys

Belinda

[jessgray]

do you buythe material and then cut it yourself from a pattern?
i buy the material then cut it from a pattern
2 what pattern is the easist to sew? best for no leaks?
i use a week wakka pattern i think its called that its so easy.my DS hardly leaks through these and it makes a S/m/l size fitted and a s/m pocket i think i havent made pockets yet lol
3 is it easiest to buy the premade kits to sew your own?
i havent done this so i'm not sure
4 who's kit is the best? and the cheapest?
on ozebaby there is kits from nappies covered for pretty cheap
5 is there anyone who runs a sewing workshop so i can have a look and maybe a practice?
spotlight run sewing classes the people who runthem could help you.
6 is it cheaper to sew your own than to buy premade pocket nappies like greens?
well its cheaper for me to make them coz otherwise i spend too much $$$ on them :laughing:

[Oscar's mum]

cool debster let me know how that shower curtain works. i might have to try that too.




I don't think shower curtain is breathable is it?

[Funkychicken]

I don't think shower curtain is breathable is it?
I think it depends on the material used for the shower curtain. i just did a 'breathe' test on mine and it is breathable. It's one of the soft, floppy ones. But in havinf said that, I don't know if this particular one would be any good in a nappy. Maybe someone has tried it?:)

[jessgray]

i know this is a bit off topic but where can i get a pattern for a wool saoker? im new to knitting never knitted in my life so any that are easy to follow or MIL can help me with would be great :D

i thought a shower curtain would have a similiar effect the pvc covers do?pvc covers seem to have sauna like effect with my DP:confused:

[Vanessa]

Here are a few:
http://www.bluegumbabies.com/freesoaker.htm
http://www.ottobredesign.com/en/print/pdf/wool_diaper_cover_en.pdf
http://www.birdcrossstitch.com/soakers/pattern/
http://fernandfaerie.com/freesoakerpattern.html
http://www.littlebellesoakers.com/doodlepantspattern.html

Hope that helps! :)

[jessgray]

thanks vanessa :thumbsup: