Easiest Pocket Diaper

On the Babycenter.com "Cloth Diaper Sewing 101" board, we were recently discussing the various ways we all do our pocket diapers.  For gifting and sale, I always use either the double welt or the flap-style these days.  However, back in the old days, I used to do the rear leading-edge pocket style.  One of the mamas there mentioned how she just cuts an opening near the top of the back IF using a no-fray fabric such as microfleece or suedecloth.  This obviously wouldn't work for a wicking jersey or velour inner, but it is for sure a GREAT solution for personal use diapers where you don't care if the inside is especially finished-looking.  It sure doesn't harm function whatsoever.  :)

So...  Below, I will step you through what I'll call the "Slit-Opening Pocket Diaper.  :)

The only pieces you'll need all prepped and ready to go.

Make your slit large enough to easily stuff.  If you're sewing an aplix diaper, then cut in between the two laundry tabs.

Attach faces-in before sewing.

Here is an OS Squaretab all ready to go as well.

Straight stitch about 1/4" in from the edge all the way around the outside.  Then trim off the sharp corners before turning.

Turn through your pocket opening.  I then stitched this one with ruffled legs and back by top-stitching all the way around about 1/8" from all the edges BEFORE sewing my elastic casings.

Here is a close-up view showing the simple pocket opening and the top-stitching.

Then sew your elastic casings along the legs and across the back.

Install your elastics through the pocket opening, and attach your wing snaps (or aplix tabs).

I then used a one-size Bumgenius insert that I added a 4th snap to (to match the rise options in my template).  Cottonbabies.com occasionally has used insert sales where you can snag inserts for about $1 each when bought 4-6 at a time.

Stuffed at full rise.

Both the insert and the diaper set to the second smallest rise.

And the NB-S Squaretab:

Templates can be downloaded here:  http://prefold2fitted.blogspot.com/2012/10/online-free-downloads.html

For the Heavy-Wetter

My new Extra Large pocket AIO pattern had me thinking about how easy that would be to turn into an overnight solution for late potty-trainers or larger heavy-wetters.

Here we have the basic pocket AIO set next to a premium prefold that I have trimmed down a little to be the right insert length for the diaper.

 Just fold the prefold as if you'll be doing an Angel-Wing fold...  but as an insert in the pocket.

 Place the insert making sure that the edges are nicely fitted to the pocket diaper's body.

This gives all the absorbency of both a large diaper insert plus a prefold, but with the prefold spread across the butt, it won't have the lumpy bulk of most doubled up inserts.  You can spred out the front a little as well, but I just left that as-is.  Just make sure the middle is narrow enough so the leg elastic still fits close to the body...  Too much insert width and/or bulk will create a poor fit around the legs.

Templates can be downloaded here:  http://prefold2fitted.blogspot.com/2012/10/online-free-downloads.html

Sized Pocket All-In-Ones

Now there is a VIDEO tutorial on my YouTube channel as well!

Kind of like the old style sized Bumgenius Pocket AIOs, but with my square wings...  What do you guys think?
X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, X-Large Templates.

Here are some step-by-step pics for the Newborn/XS:

Sew the soaker into the inside of the main wicking fabric layer.

 Sew up the edges of the wicking fabric.  Add the loop laundry tabs (if doing H&L).  Then attach the two inner fabric pieces together.

 I use binder clips to attach my PUL and inner wicking jersey together faces-in.

 Sew around the outside.

 Turn through the pocket opening.

 Install your elastic, top-stitch, and sew on your H&L tabs (or wing snaps), and you're done.  :)

 

Here is a medium sewn up with a Babyville stay-dry wicking fabric inner:

Here is a large sewn up as just a basic pocket diaper with an Alova suedecloth inner:

For the XL, I used a large (irregular) Swaddlebees microfiber insert sewn-in.

Here are all the sizes laid out:

 Here is a Bumgenius 4.0 One-Size pocket diaper next to my XL for comparison. 

The Large is about the same size as most one-size diapers at full rise.

Templates can be downloaded here:  http://prefold2fitted.blogspot.com/2012/10/online-free-downloads.html

Squaretab Cased Elastic PUL Cover

This is a version of the cased elastic dual pocket PUL cover that uses my general squaretab top and bottom shape.  The specific template and detailed instructions for it will be included in my upcoming eBook.  Here are some step-by-step assembly photos though.  :)