Well, DD is getting curious about the bathroom. She's almost 1 1/2, so we're getting close to the start of potty training. I listened up to several suggestions & bought the Tinkle Time Trainer Pattern. I haven't out one together yet, but I've printed out a copy and I'm really impressed with the pattern. The instructions seem clear (after a quick look-through) and the (with the download) the different sizes are in separate PDF files (much easier to navigate & get to print straight).
The pattern is done like most other diaper patterns - the pieces are drawn for cutting on a fold. I plan on printing out mirror-images so I can pin the pattern down on flat fabric instead of wrestling with a fold - this also makes it easier (for me) to lay out multiple copies and do a mass cut-out.
Friday
Document, Document, Document
I'm really bad about "Winging" things. Just ask my husband about how I cook - Mix-n-Dump. After buying a new sewing machine and learning its quirks, I decided to actually write down the settings I was using for diapers. My old method of top stitching wasn't cooperating with this machine & I decided that I really needed to write down what I did that worked. All it took was a silly little moleskine notebook that lives by my sewing machine (when my DD doesn't take off with it).
My new machine has three feed dogs (one under each side of the foot and one in in the middle behind the needle). My old method of lining the fabric up with the right edge of the presser foot has a nasty habit of wandering (PUL has a mind of its own). What worked well was to actually line up the fabric with the center of the foot (I'm using a teflon foot) with the needle adjusted to the left (the right side of the presser foot has nothing but air under it). I also made sure to write down needle settings (stitch length & position) & the tension settings.
My new machine has three feed dogs (one under each side of the foot and one in in the middle behind the needle). My old method of lining the fabric up with the right edge of the presser foot has a nasty habit of wandering (PUL has a mind of its own). What worked well was to actually line up the fabric with the center of the foot (I'm using a teflon foot) with the needle adjusted to the left (the right side of the presser foot has nothing but air under it). I also made sure to write down needle settings (stitch length & position) & the tension settings.
Saturday
What Do You Do With Ten Yards of Elastic?
I'm trying to reclaim my sewing area. I have a mound of FOE that I just didn't know how to stash & then, when I ran out of elastic at an inopportune moment, I bought 10 yards of elastic. Ok, what am I going to do for putting this mess away without it turning into a tangled mess like my Christmas lights? Chain Locker.
Huh? Well, in one of my previous work incarnations (like 16 years ago), I worked on a tug boat. Have you wondered where the anchor chain goes when a ship brings the anchor in? The chain gets dumped into a large space called a chain locker. What does this have to do with elastic? Well, it's how the chain doesn't get tangled that matters. The end of the chain is secured to a spot in the chain locker. The chain never loops around and gets knotted, so no tangles.
What I ended up doing with my elastic was to use a zip-lock baggie. I pinned the tail end of the elastic to the inside of the baggie with a safety pin and cut a small hole in the opposite side of the baggie. I fed all of the elastic into the baggie and poked the free end out of the cut hole, using a clip to keep the elastic from getting pulled back into the baggie when it's not being used. The 10 yards of elastic fit into a quart-sized baggie & the FOE is in a gallon baggie. I can actually sew the elastic without having a total mess - the baggie sits next to the sewing machine and I feed what I need out of it. I really wish this would work with Christmas lights (tried it - the lights get snagged so the strands won't feed evenly).
Yes, I know, pictures. First, I have to find the camera ;-) It's probably under a stack of fabric (or in some strange spot that my DD decided to stash it).
Update - Found the camera. Here are my zip lock baggie elastic "chain lockers":
Huh? Well, in one of my previous work incarnations (like 16 years ago), I worked on a tug boat. Have you wondered where the anchor chain goes when a ship brings the anchor in? The chain gets dumped into a large space called a chain locker. What does this have to do with elastic? Well, it's how the chain doesn't get tangled that matters. The end of the chain is secured to a spot in the chain locker. The chain never loops around and gets knotted, so no tangles.
What I ended up doing with my elastic was to use a zip-lock baggie. I pinned the tail end of the elastic to the inside of the baggie with a safety pin and cut a small hole in the opposite side of the baggie. I fed all of the elastic into the baggie and poked the free end out of the cut hole, using a clip to keep the elastic from getting pulled back into the baggie when it's not being used. The 10 yards of elastic fit into a quart-sized baggie & the FOE is in a gallon baggie. I can actually sew the elastic without having a total mess - the baggie sits next to the sewing machine and I feed what I need out of it. I really wish this would work with Christmas lights (tried it - the lights get snagged so the strands won't feed evenly).
Yes, I know, pictures. First, I have to find the camera ;-) It's probably under a stack of fabric (or in some strange spot that my DD decided to stash it).
Update - Found the camera. Here are my zip lock baggie elastic "chain lockers":
 |
| Quart-sized baggie & 1/4" elastic |
 |
| Gallon baggie & FOE |
Sunday
More Revolution
Yay! I've made another batch of Cloth Revolution Diapers - Mediums for my nephew and Larges for my DD. The Mediums are made with Aplix and the Larges are made with size 20 KAM snaps.
I'm thrilled with how these are fitting on my DD. She's a little lug with tree trunks for legs (a.k.a. Thunder Thighs - sorry kid, they run in the family). Most side snapping diapers really don't leave enough space for the top of the thigh. Most seem to limit the top of the opening and are set at or below the actual hip joint - the diaper that my daughter has on right now has the top of the opening just above her hip joint.
I'm thrilled with how these are fitting on my DD. She's a little lug with tree trunks for legs (a.k.a. Thunder Thighs - sorry kid, they run in the family). Most side snapping diapers really don't leave enough space for the top of the thigh. Most seem to limit the top of the opening and are set at or below the actual hip joint - the diaper that my daughter has on right now has the top of the opening just above her hip joint.
Tip: Uses for the Humble Prescription Pill Bottle
I've been using pill bottles for storing my hand sewing needles - I seem to have fewer problems with the needles falling out of these or poking through the packaging than I do with the factory cases.
A tip that I saw on a quilting list also makes them useful for stashing broken needles quickly and safely. Drill a small hole in the lid of a prescription bottle that's large enough for the needle to slip through (if you're like me and are constantly trashing ball-tipped sewing pins, the hold will have to be large enough for the head of the pin). It takes quite a bit of shaking for the needles to fall out, so this makes it easy to keep it next to the sewing machine for those "oh $h!t" moments when the needle decided to self-destruct.
I have also used long, skinny bottles to hold bobbins when I ran out of room in my bobbin case.
Another little tip: when the needle breaks, leave the tip threaded until you have removed it from the machine. The little bit of thread is easier to grab than trying to fish the needle tip out of the machine or carpet.
A tip that I saw on a quilting list also makes them useful for stashing broken needles quickly and safely. Drill a small hole in the lid of a prescription bottle that's large enough for the needle to slip through (if you're like me and are constantly trashing ball-tipped sewing pins, the hold will have to be large enough for the head of the pin). It takes quite a bit of shaking for the needles to fall out, so this makes it easy to keep it next to the sewing machine for those "oh $h!t" moments when the needle decided to self-destruct.
I have also used long, skinny bottles to hold bobbins when I ran out of room in my bobbin case.
Another little tip: when the needle breaks, leave the tip threaded until you have removed it from the machine. The little bit of thread is easier to grab than trying to fish the needle tip out of the machine or carpet.
JoAnn Coupons - Expiring 8/31 & 9/11
Free Shipping on online orders of $40 or more (expires 8/31/2010): EYD243
40% off the regular price of one item (expires 9/11/10): EED254
40% off the regular price of one item (expires 9/11/10): DES254
10% off your total purchase (some exclusions including gift cards and patterns, valid 9/3 - 9/6): DGSE249
40% off the regular price of one item (expires 9/11/10): EED254
40% off the regular price of one item (expires 9/11/10): DES254
10% off your total purchase (some exclusions including gift cards and patterns, valid 9/3 - 9/6): DGSE249
Tuesday
Is It Just Me?
Am I the only one who manages to get excess PUL sucked into a seam (like the body of the diaper shifts over and I have at least 5 stitches into what certainly isn't "seam allowance"). I'm glad that my serger and I aren't in good terms, because that would have been quite a few holes in the PUL (not counting a close encounter with the knife). No, I didn't take a picture. Maybe I will next time. I seem to do this more frequently on the "turned-in-leg" diapers where the PUL outer is wider than the inner fabric. I actually tried taping the excess PUL (since I really can't pin it) to get it bunched up and out of the way. Anyone have any good suggestions on how to keep pesky PUL from migrating into harm's way?
Link of the Day - Quick Snap Flap
So here's another "new to me" pattern. There was a little discussion on one of the diaper lists about camping with diapers. Of course, a quick-to-dry pattern was suggested, but when I went looking for that pattern, I couldn't find it. I guess I wasn't the only one, because I found a "try this one" link. Yay! Another freebie!
Quick Snap Flap
Quick Snap Flap
Diapers made with Cloth Revolution Pattern
I just made a half dozen Newborn size diapers for my nephew using the Cloth Revolution Diaper Pattern. I did deviate from the instructions somewhat: I made the pocket in the manner described in the Jalie tutorial, the laundry tabs on the inside weren't on the pattern, & the soakers aren't from the pattern. The soakers are 4"x12", two layers of regular-weight bamboo fleece with cotton "Warm and Natural" batting in the center. One side of the soaker has the "right" side of the fleece out & the other has the "wrong" (fuzzy) side out.
The outer shell is PUL (not Fabrite or Joann, but I can't remember which Coop I bought it from) & the inner is white "Costume Weight" Alova Suedecloth from Joanns. These are the first diapers that I made with hook & loop (and, of course, I can't remember if I had bought Aplix or Touch Tape - it's one of the two). I added 1" diaper tabs on the inside of the diapers to help keep the hook free of gunk while in the wash.
Enjoy!
The outer shell is PUL (not Fabrite or Joann, but I can't remember which Coop I bought it from) & the inner is white "Costume Weight" Alova Suedecloth from Joanns. These are the first diapers that I made with hook & loop (and, of course, I can't remember if I had bought Aplix or Touch Tape - it's one of the two). I added 1" diaper tabs on the inside of the diapers to help keep the hook free of gunk while in the wash.
Enjoy!
Thursday
Little Comet Tails
The Little Comet Tails patterns were the first ones that I bought. I'm not impressed with the directions, but that's my opinion (I used to write contracts for a living - I like instructions to be very clear and bordering on overkill). Once I figured out what I was doing (which wasn't that long), I had some diapers that I was very happy with. My chunky-thighed daughter is over 22 lbs and she still has room in her Little One Size & med Little Starter diapers.
Link of the Day - You say you want a Revolution?
I'm finding diaper patterns every time I turn around any more. For a while there, it seemed like I had seen most of them (and the ones that I hadn't seen were hosted on GeoCities). I heard about the Cloth Revolution Diaper Pattern via one of the email lists that I am on & decided to check it out. The biggest thing that I heard was that the instructions were excellent - especially when you consider the fact that it's a *free* pattern!
Fatty Cakes
I made my first Fatty Cakes Diaper (have I mentioned that I am a pattern Junkie). I really like the idea of a side/hip snapping diaper, but the ones that I've had don't seem to leave enough leg room for my DD's *chunky* thighs. I guess that it may have to do with the waist adjustment, but she also has a Buddha belly, so the diapers that fit really well on her are more along a bikini cut than a granny-panty. They're still a little tight on the thighs, but much nicer than other patterns that I've tried (and part of that is probably operator error).
The "Handmade with Love" tag is from the "Wholesale Cloth Diaper Fabrics Notions" group on YahooGroups. The green PUL is from JoAnn Fabrics, as is the suede cloth inner (white Costume-Weight Alova Suedecloth).
The "Handmade with Love" tag is from the "Wholesale Cloth Diaper Fabrics Notions" group on YahooGroups. The green PUL is from JoAnn Fabrics, as is the suede cloth inner (white Costume-Weight Alova Suedecloth).
JoAnn Coupons - "Coupon Commotion"
40% off the regular price of one item (expires 7/31/10): DES212
The following coupons are good 7/18/2010 - 7/24/2010:
40% off one Regular-Priced Item: DESE205A, DESE205B, DESE205C
40% off one Regular-Priced Item: DFSE205
40% off one Regular-Priced Notions Item: DEN205
40% off one Sewing or Quilting Cutting Tool: DECF205A
40% off one Regular-Priced Fabric: DEFY205B
40% off one Regular-Priced Craft, Floral, or Framing Item: DECF205B, DECF205C
The following coupons are good 7/18/2010 - 7/24/2010:
40% off one Regular-Priced Item: DESE205A, DESE205B, DESE205C
40% off one Regular-Priced Item: DFSE205
40% off one Regular-Priced Notions Item: DEN205
40% off one Sewing or Quilting Cutting Tool: DECF205A
40% off one Regular-Priced Fabric: DEFY205B
40% off one Regular-Priced Craft, Floral, or Framing Item: DECF205B, DECF205C
Sunday
JoAnn Coupons
Ok, some of these are repeats from the last post, but they're currently valid. If you're not on their mailing list, a place where I've been able to find coupons on a regular basis is at retailmenot.com
50% off the regular price of one item (expires 7/13/10): EFD194
50% off the regular price of one item (expires 7/17/10): WHF198
Free Shipping on orders of $35 or more (expires 7/14/10): PIA195
Free Shipping on orders of $50 or more (expires 7/15/10): AP196
50% off the regular price of one item (expires 7/13/10): EFD194
50% off the regular price of one item (expires 7/17/10): WHF198
Free Shipping on orders of $35 or more (expires 7/14/10): PIA195
Free Shipping on orders of $50 or more (expires 7/15/10): AP196
Saturday
Link of the Day - Fab Faux
There are some really nice commercially available diapers out there, the problem is that many of us are on a budget that makes buying more than one or two (if that many) out of the question. Enter the Fab Faux - diapers that give the nod to the commercially available diapers, but at the cost of fabric and time.
Faux BG - If you haven't heard of the SewYourOwnDiapers group on Yahoo Groups, well, here's a good reason. There's several good items in the group's files, including someone's take on the Bum Genius one-size Diaper (please note that the pattern is for personal use only, not for commercial use).
Faux F-B - Yes, here's another take on a popular commercially available diaper. Please note that there patents protecting elements of the commercially-available FuzziBunz.
Faux BG - If you haven't heard of the SewYourOwnDiapers group on Yahoo Groups, well, here's a good reason. There's several good items in the group's files, including someone's take on the Bum Genius one-size Diaper (please note that the pattern is for personal use only, not for commercial use).
Faux F-B - Yes, here's another take on a popular commercially available diaper. Please note that there patents protecting elements of the commercially-available FuzziBunz.
Wednesday
Tutorials
Ok, Someone on a yahoo groups list asked about sewing pretty fabric on the outside of PUL (actually, the question was hidden PUL), but it's the same general idea.
There's a tutorial on the Little Comet Tails blog showing how to use cotton on the outside of a Little Half Moon diaper
without fear of leaks. Enjoy!
There's yet another photo tutorial showing cotton over PUL here on Flickr.
On another tutorial search - here's another one on the Little Comet Tails blog that shows how to turn the Little One Size
into a sham Pocket Diaper!
There's a tutorial on the Little Comet Tails blog showing how to use cotton on the outside of a Little Half Moon diaper
without fear of leaks. Enjoy!There's yet another photo tutorial showing cotton over PUL here on Flickr.
On another tutorial search - here's another one on the Little Comet Tails blog that shows how to turn the Little One Size
into a sham Pocket Diaper!
Link of the Day - Measurement Charts
"What Size Should I..." seems to be a common question. After all, unless you have baby to measure off of, it's all a guess (and if you're trying to guess what will fit in 3 months, then it's all a guess). Here are a few links for typical measurements to help size baby's clothes:
http://www.fibergypsy.com/common/children.shtml
http://www.kwiksew.com/resources/measurement_charts.cfm
http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9021
http://www.fibergypsy.com/common/children.shtml
http://www.kwiksew.com/resources/measurement_charts.cfm
http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9021
Friday
JoAnn Coupons
Need to make a purchase at JoAnn.com? Here's some coupons!
Free Shipping on orders of $40 or more (expires 7/5/10): EPD186
Free Shipping on orders of $50 or more (expires 7/15/10): AP196
10% off entire purchase (expires 7/5/10): EGD186
50% off the regular price of one item (expires 7/17/10): WHF198
Free Shipping on orders of $40 or more (expires 7/5/10): EPD186
Free Shipping on orders of $50 or more (expires 7/15/10): AP196
10% off entire purchase (expires 7/5/10): EGD186
50% off the regular price of one item (expires 7/17/10): WHF198
Monday
Link of the Day - Fleece cover for Rita's Rump Pocket
Rita's Rump Pocket is a *free* diaper pattern that is easy to make and has a wide range of fits. Ok, I personally haven't made one. At the time that I found the pattern, I really wanted something with more bells and whistles. I've stabbed myself with safety pins a few times too many and I wanted a don't-get-the-furniture-wet cover.
Well, since then, a really nice tutorial on making a cover the the RRP has appeared on Kei's Creations. If you need the pattern for the RRP cover, it is available here.
Well, since then, a really nice tutorial on making a cover the the RRP has appeared on Kei's Creations. If you need the pattern for the RRP cover, it is available here.
Sunday
Sew much to do, Sew little time...
Don't ask me how much sewing that I've gotten done in the past few months. DD is going to be 1 in a few weeks. She's a busy little bee to say the least.
My suggestion for trying to sew in small windows is to sew in an assembly-line fashion: cut out multiple diapers and do the same step on each diaper rather than trying to finish one at a time. Breaking up the tasks makes it easier to start and stop on short notice. If the machine can be kept set up, that's even better. If the same thread color can be used on all of the diapers, that eliminates the time for thread changes.
One tip that I heard from a quilter is to use a bobbin in place of a spool of thread. It takes a little more time to prep a second bobbin, but this way you can easily see how much thread is left in the bobbin by just looking at the bobbin that is in place of the spool.
Anyone have any other tips for making things a little easier?
My suggestion for trying to sew in small windows is to sew in an assembly-line fashion: cut out multiple diapers and do the same step on each diaper rather than trying to finish one at a time. Breaking up the tasks makes it easier to start and stop on short notice. If the machine can be kept set up, that's even better. If the same thread color can be used on all of the diapers, that eliminates the time for thread changes.
One tip that I heard from a quilter is to use a bobbin in place of a spool of thread. It takes a little more time to prep a second bobbin, but this way you can easily see how much thread is left in the bobbin by just looking at the bobbin that is in place of the spool.
Anyone have any other tips for making things a little easier?
Freebie Diaper Patterns
If you asked me two years ago about diaper patterns, I probably would have given you a funny look. After all, I'm old enough that my mental image of a cloth diaper is a flannel flat-fold. It would seem like a diaper is a diaper is a diaper. Ok, but the same could be said about blue jeans - not all cuts are the same.
The cool thing is that there are quite a few free patterns available online. Unfortunately, there are still links out there to now-defunct GeoCities sites.
Here's a few freebie patterns. There's more out there, but there's only so much time for me to write this post.
Wee Weka - ok, there are actually several patterns on this site. The cool thing is that there are some very nice tutorials that can be applicable for other diaper patterns.
Rita's Rump Pocket - I haven't made this pattern, but it's supposed to be super-easy and a great one to do on the cheap.
Darling Diapers Free Newborn Pattern - Scroll down for the pattern. It's different from the Darling Diapers Unlimited pattern.
Another place to look for freebie patterns is at the WAHM Mall.
The cool thing is that there are quite a few free patterns available online. Unfortunately, there are still links out there to now-defunct GeoCities sites.
Here's a few freebie patterns. There's more out there, but there's only so much time for me to write this post.
Wee Weka - ok, there are actually several patterns on this site. The cool thing is that there are some very nice tutorials that can be applicable for other diaper patterns.
Rita's Rump Pocket - I haven't made this pattern, but it's supposed to be super-easy and a great one to do on the cheap.
Darling Diapers Free Newborn Pattern - Scroll down for the pattern. It's different from the Darling Diapers Unlimited pattern.
Another place to look for freebie patterns is at the WAHM Mall.
Link of the Day - Wrangling FOE
I somehow ended up with some FOE - Fold Over Elastic. Don't know how it happened, the stuff kind of scared me, so I never intended to buy any. But here I am with some FOE & I decided to use it today. I messed up. I decided that I needed to see how it was done. Here's a little clip (actually two)from YouTube that makes it look too easy (she definitely has had practice).
Friday
Link of the Day - Pocket Diaper Sewing Video
Ok, this isn't quite a link - here's the videos from YouTube that show sewing a cloth diaper using the Jalie Diaper pattern. It's still good information for sewing any diaper.
Thursday
Link of the Day - What Can I Use Fleece For?
All fleece is not created equal…
Fleece seems to create a bit of confusion as to what it can be used for. Here's a little information to help you out.
Fleece seems to create a bit of confusion as to what it can be used for. Here's a little information to help you out.
Wednesday
My Drop-Kick into Cloth Diapers
There are sites upon sites about cloth diapering. I stumbled upon the new wave of cloth diapers when I was searching for serger thread for baby clothes. I remember cloth diapers being carefully folded pieces of flannel, trying not to draw blood, and nasty plastic pants - but I also remember disposables when when they were equally as nasty.
I'm not some young idealist, swayed by environmental or religious reasons. Hell, I'm not young. I ventured into diapers by wanting to pursue another option for diapering my daughter. It's nice to have an alternative to buying diapers. The costs add up & I'd prefer to have less on the curb in general. Encouragement came when a dear friend gave us a cloth diaper - out of the blue.
I have a few purchased diapers, but I've sewn several for my daughter. The online cloth diapering community is a great resource, but it's a language all of its own. After a while the jargon gets so second nature that it's hard for a newbie to figure out what's being said. I hope to provide some plain-language information about diapers.
I'm not some young idealist, swayed by environmental or religious reasons. Hell, I'm not young. I ventured into diapers by wanting to pursue another option for diapering my daughter. It's nice to have an alternative to buying diapers. The costs add up & I'd prefer to have less on the curb in general. Encouragement came when a dear friend gave us a cloth diaper - out of the blue.
I have a few purchased diapers, but I've sewn several for my daughter. The online cloth diapering community is a great resource, but it's a language all of its own. After a while the jargon gets so second nature that it's hard for a newbie to figure out what's being said. I hope to provide some plain-language information about diapers.
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