The pattern itself makes an "All-In-One" type of diaper, which is the closest you can get to the function of a disposable diaper: it has a waterproof outer layer, and quite a few inner absorbent layers, and the layer closest to baby's skin is typically soft and helps to keep them feeling dry. All the layers are sewn together, nothing comes apart, etc. These types of diapers typically cost around $18-25 each, if you buy them pre-made.
I didn't want to deal with the extra cost and everything associated with sewing with the waterproof layer, so I used an online tutorial to adapt the pattern to making a "Fitted" diaper, instead. Fitted diapers are very similar to All-In-Ones, only lacking the waterproof outer layer. So they require a cover over the top of them (although many people skip the cover when they're just at home).
When I have cloth diapered Jacob, I used a type of diaper called "Pocket" diapers. They have a waterproof outer layer, and one inner "wicking" layer, that lets the moisture through but keeps baby feeling dry. You then stuff the soaking layers into the diaper through an opening in the back. I liked these diapers a lot - they were trim instead of bulky, they came in fun colors, and I could adjust how much absorbency I needed by stuffing them with extra layers if I needed to. But I've had problems with their durability, so that's why I'm trying something new this time around. I'll probably buy a few Pocket diapers for nighttime diapering, though, since that was so handy.
Anyway, the store where I got the pattern, and many of my materials, is called Very Baby. Their pattern and products have come very highly recommended among the online cloth diapering circles, but I was interested to discover that their little home-run business is out of Rigby, Idaho, and is run by an LDS couple there. So that feels cool, to be not only sewing my own diapers, but to be supporting a business run by work-at-home LDS parents!
The way I'm making these diapers is with 3 layers of flannel - a decorative one on the outside, and two filler layers in the middle. Attached to one of those inner flannel layers is a "soaker pad" that I've made from 6 layers of hemp jersey. It's supposed to be more absorbent than cotton, and have some anti-microbial properties as well. And then the inner-most layer is suedecloth, which is the "wicking" layer.
I mostly finished the first diaper last night - all I had left was to add the velcro. I finished up the velcro today, and started and completed a second diaper, as well. I did some reading online and picked up a few tips about sewing the elastic into the diapers, which was helpful. But I'm still not sure if the leg openings are tight/"elasticky" enough to work with a small baby. (I'm not sewing diapers for the newborn phase, but I'm sewing size "Small" which typically fits somewhere around 10-18 pounds or something like that). It all seems nice and stretchy, until I turn the diaper right side out. I'll have to experiment some more, probably. But I'm very happy with how they look. I put away my machine and sewing box, and went to take a picture of them to post here, and Melinda insisted on putting one of the diapers onto a doll. The teddy bear worked quite nicely. Aside from its large waist, I think it's close to the size of a baby a few months old. Maybe. :)
Alright, enough babbling, right? You want pictures?
(This is the same striped flannel I used on the baby shoes, yay for matching sets!!)
