Fluff Talk Thursday #10: Sew Your Own Stash

I've never participated in this meme before, but the topic is about making your own diapers. I have made several different styles, so I thought I would share. I never thought about making my own diapers until a high school friend commented on Facebook that she had made her son's diapers using old t-shirts. I was totally intrigued buy this. I took sewing lessons from my aunt for several summers growing up, so I asked a few questions and googled to see if I could find a pattern. Then I made my family members clean out their closets!

My friend had made prefolds, but I wasn't really impressed with the ones I made. My son has chunky thighs and they were creating a lot of extra bulk. I found this pattern and changed all but 2 into contour diapers instead. I couldn't find any aplix and this was easier. They are 4x8x4 and the soaker is sewn into the center. These come in really handy when my son gets a diaper rash and we need to use something to treat it. Then I don't have to worry about ruining the more expensive diapers.

Recently, I have been experimenting with fleece. The green and purple diaper above had some holes in the top layer so I covered it with an old fleece vest and fleece pajamas that the zipper broke on. It provided some extra absorbtion for my super soaker son and also a little stability to the diaper. Here's the other side:

I was also able to make to pocket diapers out of the fleece vest. I made up the pattern as I went using the pockets in the vest as the pocket opening for the diaper. I used a Mother-ease fitted as a guide for the shape I wanted. I used up the pajamas too and sewed the appliques on just for fun. They are pretty bulky and I would love to add snaps to them, but for now the pins work okay. It was also my first time sewing elastic, which I put in the leg gussets. I definitly need more practice in that area! I also made some t-shirt inserts and the yellow one is just the hood of a sweatshirt sewn shut!

My next adventure has been fleece soakers. Of course, I can't find the link to pattern I found on-line, but it's a wee weka and it doesn't have snaps. Thanks to Chari for finding the link! So far we are in the measuring stages. I haven't found the right size quite yet. It didn't help that in the middle of sewing last week, my machine stopped catching. I am thinking these will be great over my Mother-ease or the t-shirt diapers and eventually, *sigh* potty training. I made a pair for my nephew, who could be potty trained, but is too stubborn to stop what he is doing to go in the toilet. There were some fit issues there too. I have been up-cycling a fleece blanket that I hated pattern on the material and the style, so luckily these have just been practice. I have some really cool fabric when I get the pattern tweeked just right. I also want to try a pair of longies. I found an awesome step-by-step picture tutorial.

Eventually, I will finish the wool longies I started. I have a pattern, an up-cycled sweater felted with the sleeves cut off and I am too scared to finish it! I know wool would solve our night time diaper leaking problems we have been having lately, but I am so intimidated by the care for them. So I will use the excuse I don't have any lanolin for them yet *wink, wink.*

I would also like to get some bamboo velour to make some inserts for all of our pocket diapers and possibly some prefolds. My husband hates to order things on-line (I am lucky to get Rockin Green Soap), so my options are sort of limited. My aunt, the one that taught me to sew, now owns several fabric stores in the Kansas City area and is supposed to be doing some checking for me. I am also interested in finding some snaps and a snap press, not only for the diapers I have made, but to convert some of our bumGenius' too.

So far the diapers I have made are just a substitute for the more quality ones we have in our stash. It is just something that I enjoy, that is when my machine isn't malfunctioning! I am currently using an old Singer my mom found at a garage sale for $5. I had it serviced before I used it, but it was in the shop last week for repairs and is still malfunctioning. I prefer to use my mom's Bernina when possible. I am much more comfortable with it.

For other tips or stories on how to sew your own stash, be sure to visit Happily Domestic to read Chari from Take Time To Smell The Rose's guest post and check the McLinky too!