Sewing Fleece Diaper Covers

Evangeline has outgrown her size one Thirsties Duo diapers.  I'd say they're pretty much my favorite because they are adjustable and blow-out resistant because of their double gussets.  They come in two sizes.  The size ones fit her comfortably from newborn to six months.  She could still fit in them at seven months (and now, at eight months), but I have to keep the inserts slim, which means less absorbency. Even though I try to take her out of diapers to the relieve herself, this doesn't always happen, especially during naps.  And, the tighter the fit, the less room to hold poo when there's a massive, um... release.

Here's the thing, folks. If you are having troubles with blow outs (whether in cloth or disposables), it may be because the diaper is too fitted against the heiny.  There needs to be a little wiggle room there, some space, really.  If the insert or the disposable is pressed tightly against the bum, there will be no where else for the poo to go... other than out the gussets.  Just a tip for those having these issues. If you keep having diaper blowouts, it's time to go up a size in diapers.

Anyway, so I decided it was time to make some new covers for Evie.  I really like Thirsties Duo Wraps, so I did purchase one in size two (which also adjusts and will last the rest of her diapering days), but I also knew that I could make my buck stretch further if I made my own.  I really like fleece diapers.  They're more breathable than PUL (which is what Thirsties and most diaper covers are made of), and they're easy to care for.  You can wash them with the rest of your wash, if you need to.  No special care.  So, if a little poo gets on them, I can toss them in with the rest of my wash, regardless of whether I'm using free and clear detergent.

They're easy to make and significantly cheaper than purchasing covers from a shop, especially if you happen to have an old fleece blanket laying around!  Let me give you the breakdown.  One yard of fabric will give you two diaper covers.  Each diaper cover is made of two layers of fleece (extra protection!).  If you purchase the fabric full price, then you are paying about $4.50 per diaper.  I never buy it full-price.  When they are on sale, each diaper comes out to $2.75.  If I buy fleece off the clearance remnant section (50% off), it costs me $2.25 per diaper.  Add in the cost of elastic (.25 per diaper, typically), and that's a pretty cheap, handmade diaper.  If I use a 10% off total coupon, well.. I can get it even a bit more cheaper.  (I shop at Joann, btw. They have great sales in store and online.)  Plain fleece is cheaper, but not by much.  If I use plain fleece, I like to use some pretty fabric to dress it up, which usually ups the cost a bit, unless that fabric is repurposed or from my scrap bin.  This diaper below probably cost me about $4.00 to make.  When I saw this delicious quilting fabric, I had to have it.  It's just too adorable!  I was a cupcake fan long before cupcakes were the "in" thing, and, believe it or not, one of my favorite colors is brown.  (I know some people think brown is a ugly color, but I love it.)

Evangeline looks so adorable in it- chunky legs and all.  She's just so sweet, I want to nibble her up!  It's been a while since I've had a chunky baby to snuggle since Keagan was super tiny.  I mean, her legs are way chunkier than his were.  He had little stick-legs.  Her body is chunkier than his was at a year!  (And I love it! I just love all those soft squishy rolls!)

 



Fleece is super comfortable. I recommend buying anti-pill fleece because it stays looking nicer for longer.  But, hey, if you have an old fleece blanket laying around, use it.  I don't have a snap press, so I just use a Snappi or pins.  I'm thinking about making a fleece cover that ties in the front.  I'll have to ponder a pattern for that one. I have an idea in mind!  There are also patterns out there for pull-up fleece covers, so you don't have to worry about snaps, Snappis, or pins.

I don't have my own pattern posted- but you can find free patterns all over the internet. A fitted diaper pattern will work just fine as a fleece cover pattern, although you may want to make your cover just a bit larger (maybe just 1/2 an inch larger all the way around).