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Sewing Cloth

Sewing your own diapers is easier than you might think! There are many patterns out there that are perfect for beginning seamstresses!

There are three kinds of absorbant diapers you can make - fitteds or pocket fitteds, contours, and prefolds. For the waterproof part of making diapers, there are covers, and pockets. You will need a basic sewing machine. You don't need a fancy one since you don't need any fancy stitches to make a diaper. It is handy to have a 3 step zig zag if you are applying Fold over Elastic (FOE) as the elastic and trim. Sergers are nice for contours and some fitteds, but turn and topstitch works well too.

Diaper Sewing Boards.
Both of these boards are incredible resources! Well worth your time!:

Diaper Sewing Divas: http://www.diaperdivas.proboards57.com/
Sew Your Own Diapers: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sewyourowndiapers/

Diaper patterns:

The most common pattern in use right now using FOE is Catherine's Chloe Toes. This kind of diaper can be made in about 30 to 40 minutes once you get the hang of applying the FOE. Yes it does cost for the pattern, but its a good one that most people are very happy with. It has great rear coverage, and the tabs have an under belly fit. You can make both fitted diapers, covers, or pocket diapers with this pattern:
http://www.chloetoesboutique.com/store/Default.asp
http://www.chloetoesboutique.com/sto...sDiaperPattern

Darling Diapers Unlimited is another one that is similar in popularity to Chloe's Toes. They do offer a free newborn fitted pattern, and the pattern you pay for has a LOT of options:
http://hyenacart.com/PracticalPrince...x.php?c=0&p=46

Faux Fuzzi'stutorial. Free! :
http://www.this-end-up.com/faux%20fu...x%20fuzzis.htm

Sewing trainers!Free pattern:
http://katrinassqs.blogspot.com/2008...nger-rise.html

Rita's Rump Free patterns:
http://handmadebyrita.blogspot.com/

Drafting your own pattern by Dutch Girl! Free! Love this one!:
http://dutchgirldiary.blogspot.com/2...th-diaper.html

Goodness Gracious patterns. Some free some not.:
http://www.geocities.com/grace25701/tips.html

Mama Bird pattern. Free! :
http://www.geocities.com/rew4birth/index.html

Fern and Faerie's Free! Dirt cheap fitted diaper pattern:
http://fernandfaerie.com/sewing_fitteds.html

Sewing a fitted diaper free:
http://mayna.livejournal.com/198548.html

Mile High Monkeys pattern. Pull on cover:
http://milehighmonkeys.com/default.aspx

MiaLa patterns. Some Free, some not.:
http://www.miala.net/mialapatterns.html

Great tutorial on recycled wool shorties:
http://www.diaperswappers.com/forum/...d.php?t=267751

The Nappy Network DIY has free patterns too! :
http://www.thenappynetwork.org.nz/diy.php

Embellishing prefolds:
http://www.diaperpin.com/forum08/for....asp?TID=28495

Dying Prefolds:
http://www.diaperswappers.com/forum/...folds+tutorial

Making longies from a sweater:
http://www.kidcentrix.com/brandon/sweaterpants.html

How to sew your own longies!!!
http://www.cafepress.com/thatskindacool/864331

Tutorial for FOE:
http://diaperfabric.com/tutorial-for-foldover-elastic/

Another fitted diaper tutorial:
http://www.geocities.com/mytafadhali...tm#topstitched

Cloth Wipes Information

For cloth wipes, you can use just about anything. Many use baby washclothes, some use cut up pieces of fleece, and still others buy cloth wipes from retaliers. Any of those ways is fine.

Wipes Solutions:

Like all the different kinds of wipes, there are also different wipes solutions. Here are a few:
- Some use just plain water with success - it can't get easier than that!
- Water with a squirt of baby shampoo
- Water with a squirt of baby shampoo and Tea Tree Oil
- 1c water, 1 squirt babywash and 2 drops TTO and 2 drops lavender oil

Actually Using Cloth Wipes:

There are many different ways of doing this too:

- Putting damp cloth wipes in a wipes warmer
- Keep a container of water nearby and wet wipes as you need them. Keep in a ziploc baggie for going out of the house
- Keep them dry and wet under the sink when needed
- Keep a peri bottle nearby and get the cloth wipe wet when needed

Mama Cloth and Other Alternatives

*Click words in blue for links

Since you are now using cloth for your baby, why stop there? Mama cloth is so comfy! There are many different "tampon like" alternatives to Mama cloth as well.

Mama Cloth, to see click here, are simply cloth pads for women. They are super easy to take care of - you can just throw them in with your diapers and wash with your diaper laundry. You could also wash with towels. Many women keep them in a wetbag under the bathroom sink. Many women report that cloth pads are more comfy, help reduce cramps and make for a lighter flow overall.

Menstral Cup like the Diva Cup or The Keeper - a cup inserted much like a tampon. It "catches" the menstral flow and you empty it into the toilet. For more information, look at the website for the products above.

Natural Sea Sponge Tampons, seen here, are just like they sound. These are most likely better for women with a lighter flow. They are used like the Diva Cup in that you rinse them out. More information can be found at the website in the link.

G-Diapers

G-Diapers, seen here, are a cloth/disposable hybrid. They are a cloth cover with flushable inner liners. Some women love them, but others find soft cloth is easier and softer for baby.

Some Mamas say gDaipers work awsome for the NB stage as the sizes run small.

G-diapers can also be good for traveling since they offer the convienence of flushing the poop away and not carrying it around in a wet bag.

One down side is that the liners can be pricey to buy.

Favorite Stores/Brands

Link to PO big cloth diapering list:
http://www.pregnancy.org/bulletinboa...ead.php?t=1203
www.diaperpin.com

Cloth diapers in HOt weather !!

Cloth diapers are a hit in places with hot weather , as babies feel uncomfortable and sticky with a disposable diaper on. While cloth diapers lets in air easily and the baby is happy!!