** I strongly suggest that everyone (no matter your sewing skill level) starts first with a very basic practice diaper using just 2 layers of flannel and not worrying about closures like hook & loop or snaps.
For THAT, you'll just need:
- Some cotton flannel. You can even use old flannel sheets or an old flannel shirt.
- Really any kind of thread.
- Any kind of machine needle.
- Some 3/8" or 1/4" braided elastic.
- Pins or clips
- A safety pin or bodkin
- A pair of scissors
For a fitted diaper that uses knit fabrics:
- Your absorbent fabric choices.
- Poly or Cotton thread.
- A ballpoint machine needle.
- Some 3/8" braided elastic.
- A safety pin or bodkin.
- Pins or clips
- A pair of scissors
For a waterproof pocket diaper:
- PUL or TPU fabric for your outer fabric.
- Microfleece/Microchamois, Suedecloth, or Wicking Pique/Jersey for the inner fabric.
- 100% polyester thread.
- A 8-11 gauge ballpoint or Microtex sharp machine needle.
- Some 3/8" or 1/4" polyester braided elastic.
- A safety pin or bodkin.
- Hook and Loop OR snaps for closures (and snap pliers and awl if using snaps).
- Clips for holding your fabrics together.
- A pair of scissors.
[You CAN make a fleece outer pocket as long as you use a high quality thicker fleece that has tested very water-repellant.]
Now... For absorbent fabrics to incorporate into things like pocket inserts, AIOs, AI2 soakers, and fitted diapers, there are LOTS of choices.
Old fabrics like:
- T-shirts, other cotton clothes, or jersey sheets.
- Other recycled materials like cotton terrycloth towels or microfiber terry shop towels (stripped).
- Prefolds, flats, or flour sack towels.
New fabrics like:
- Microfiber terry
- Cotton/Bamboo/Hemp terry, baby terry, french terry, or microterry.
- Cotton/Bamboo/Hemp fleeces (as long as there is no more than 20% synthetic content.)
- Cotton/Bamboo/Hemp interlock or knits.
- Natural fiber rayons.
- Wovens like flannel, birdseye, or even muslin.
- New generation diaper fabrics like Zorb or Zorb2.
For covers, you'll use 100% polyester thread and:
- Certain high quality polyester fleece fabrics.
- Wool knits or felted thinner knits.
- Wool interlock.
- PUL or TPU (with a 8-10 gauge ballpoint or Microtex sharp machine needle.)
