Clothbaby Onesize (reduced to NB size)

About the pattern:

This is a free onesize pattern that can be made with snap closure, hook & loop closure, or closureless (snappiable).  The pattern suggests shrinking the pattern when you print it if you prefer to make sized diapers.  The pattern does NOT have the seam allowance added (something I didn’t realize until after I cut my fabric), so make sure to add the seam allowance.  For my test diapers, since I had already cut my fabric without the seam allowance added, I just used my machine’s overlock stitch to faux-serge the diapers, rather than turning & topstitching them.

My test diapers:

I made two test diapers with this pattern.  The first diaper I shrunk 80% and that looks like a good size for a newborn.  The second diaper I shrunk 90% and that looks like a small sized diaper.  I added rise snaps to the small diaper so that it will snap down to newborn size.  I really like that because then you get two sizes out of one diaper!

Here are the diapers on their smallest settings (I added crossover snaps/aplix):

Here are the diapers on a middle setting (the small diaper is snapped down to newborn size):

Here is a picture of the small diaper not snapped down to newborn size:

Here are the diapers on the largest settings:

You can see in the last picture that the waist settings on this diaper extend out too much; the baby would likely outgrow the rise of the diaper long before they outgrow the waist of the diaper, and the extra length on the front wings is likely to just cause wing droop.  Therefore, after  you resize your pattern, I would recommend trimming at least one inch off of each end of the front panel in order to make it a more appropriate size for a newborn.

Overall opinion:

I think that this is a nice pattern and I really like NB/Small version (the one that was reduced 90%) because the two-size diaper seems like you get more bang for your buck; but you also get a diaper that will actually fit a newborn (in my experience, one-size diapers did not work on my newborn).  I would definitely recommend narrowing the front panel though, and I would recommend remembering to add your seam allowance before cutting your fabric J

Fit update:
Before umbilical cord falls off:
The diaper that was reduced to 80% was a very nice fit on my son at 8lbs 10oz, and still seems to have plenty of growing room.  I tucked the front down to keep the diaper away from the umbilical cord stump.  I think it would also work well for a smaller baby, except it might be hard to tuck the front down away from the cord stump if you were using the crossover closure.

Action shots:

 



4 weeks old - 11 pounds:
At this size, the version reduced 80% fits nice and snug on a medium setting, still with some room to grow.
Action shots:

 

At 11 pounds, the version reduced 90% also fit nicely.  I had the rise snapped down and fastened the diaper on almost the smallest setting.  The front panel is wider than necessary, but it didn't hurt anything.
Action shots:

 

2 months old - 14lbs,10oz:
The diaper reduced to 80% is a nice trim fit and not yet at the largest waist setting, so it still has some growing room left:

 

The diaper reduced to 90% still fits nicely with the rise snapped down and on almost the tightest waist setting, so this still has a lot of growing room.

Get the pattern:

http://www.clothdiapersewing.com/cloth-101/cd-sewing-a-more/patterns/130-free-one-size-cloth-diaper-pattern

Thank you very much to the mama who provided this free pattern! 

Please feel free to comment about your experience with the Clothbaby pattern or with any questions about my review!

Darling Diapers Free - Newborn and Smaller Newborn

About the pattern:

This is a free pattern that is available in two different newborn sizes; regular newborn and smaller newborn.  There are no instructions included with this pattern; so this pattern is best for someone who has sewn diapers before.  The pattern can be done with a single wing snap, double wing snaps, or with hook & loop.  The pattern allows for an umbilical cord snap-down.

My test diapers:

I used this pattern to make a snapping fitted with the smaller newborn pattern (red pattern) and a hook & loop fitted with the regular newborn pattern (orange pattern).  I really like this pattern; the simple curves of it make it very easy to cut and sew.  The diaper also looks perfectly proportional and so cute!

Diapers on largest setting:

I chose to use the double wing snaps so that the waist and thigh can be adjusted separately.  I think that the single wing snap would also be nice though.  I really like the location of the umbilical cord snap-down because it is not in the way of the wing snaps; so it is easy to fasten the diaper on the smallest setting even when the umbilical cord snap is being used.

For the hook & loop version, I split the loop tape into two pieces so that I could still include the umbilical cord snap.

When compared to the Darling Diapers Unlimited pattern; this really is a completely separate pattern.  She does note that the free pattern is not a sample of the Unlimited pattern, but I was still expecting that they would be very similar.  The rise seems to be about the same, but the Unlimited pattern is narrower through the crotch and the front end is shaped differently.  (In these pictures, the Unlimited diaper is on the left and the free diaper is on the right).

Regular Newborn (note the difference in crotch width):

Smaller Newborn (note the very different snap placement):

Overall opinion:

I really love this pattern.  The curves are so smooth making it a breeze to cut and sew, and the sizing looks perfect for a newborn.  When compared to the Unlimited pattern, I feel like I would have to recommend using BOTH the free and the Unlimited!  The Unlimited pattern has great instructions and larger sizes, but I really like the design of the free pattern as well.  The free pattern doesn’t come in a side-snapping version; which was my favorite closure style when I tested the Unlimited pattern.  I think that the free pattern is the perfect complement to the Unlimited pattern.

Fit update for smaller newborn:
Before umbilical cord falls off:
This diaper is one of my favorites.  The fit at 8lbs is great, but it would also fit smaller babies well.  The two rows of snaps allow me to easily adjust the waist and legs separately to get the perfect fit.  The umbilical cord snap is great.  I tried this diaper again at 8lbs10oz, and it still fit nicely, and not quite on the largest settings.  So, hopefully it'll continue to fit for another pound or so.

4 weeks old - 11 pounds:
At this size the diaper just barely snapped on the largest setting.  It was too tight for me to leave it on my son, so this diaper was officially retired at 11 pounds.
Action shots:

 


Fit update for larger newborn:
Before umbilical cord falls off:
This diaper fit really nice at 8lbs 10oz.  The angled loop tape worked well so that I could use the umbilical cord snap and keep the diaper well away from the cord.  There is still a nice amount of growing room in this diaper.

Action shots:

 

4 weeks old - 11 pounds:
At this size the diaper still fits great and has some more room to grow.

 

2 months old, 14lbs10oz:
Still a great fit on almost the biggest setting.

 


Get the pattern:

http://www.darlingdiapers.com/Darling%20Diapers%20Free%20Newborn%20Fitted%20Pattern2009.pdf

Thank you very much to the mama who provided this free pattern! 

Please feel free to comment about your experience with the Darling Diapers free pattern or with any questions about my review! 

Darling Diapers Unlimited - Newborn & Tiny Newborn

About the pattern:

This is a paid pattern that is available in two different newborn sizes, as well as sizes small, medium and large.  There are excellent instructions, complete with lots of pictures and FAQs.  The pattern allows for many different variations, including hook & loop, front snapping and side snapping.  There are also instructions for using the pattern to make pocket diapers or diaper covers.   The Tiny Newborn size is recommended for anyone who expects their newborn to be under 7.5 pounds at birth; otherwise the Newborn size is recommended.

My test diapers:

I used this pattern to make SIX fitted diapers!  I made one in each closure style in size Tiny Newborn, and then I also made one in each closure style in size Newborn.  The first thing that I noticed about this pattern is that the crotch is very narrow.  I like that because I remember thinking that all of my daughter’s newborn diapers were very bulky; however, I know that some parents (especially parent’s of boys) prefer to have fuller coverage through the crotch.  (In all of my pics, the Tiny Newborn is on the left and the Newborn is on the right)

 

I really like the hook & loop version, it seems like it would make for quick & easy diaper changes, and is so cute and tiny.  The pattern suggests to angle the loop tape on the front, which allows you to make a permanent umbilical scoop if you so choose.

The front snapping diaper has angled snaps on the front, which allows you to snap-down the front of the diaper to avoid irritating the umbilical cord.  However, the location of this umbilical cord snap-down snap is kind of in the way of the wing snaps when the diaper is set to the smallest setting.

The side snapping diaper is really nice because it looks very clean and you don’t have to worry about the umblical cord snap-down snap being in the way of the wing snaps.  I really like this version for fitteds with a lay-in soaker; however, I don’t think that it would be the best choice for pockets, AIOs or fitteds with an internal soaker, because it seems like the runny newborn poo could get on the wings, since they fold over onto the tummy; which would make for messy diaper changes!

Overall opinion:

This is a very versatile pattern with great instructions – if you are looking to get one pattern that could be used for all of your diaper making, then this would be a good choice!  In fact, the majority of my daughter’s small and medium stashes were made from this diaper pattern (I wish I would have had it when she was a newborn!)  I think that this diaper would be trim-fitting and if made with stretchy materials, I think that it would have a large size range.  Here is a picture of the front-snapping diapers extended to the largest setting:

I like all of the closure styles, but I think the side-snapping is my favorite (as long as you are using a lay-in soaker to prevent messes from getting on the wings).

Fit update for Tiny Newborn:
Before umbilical cord falls off:
The tiny newborn diapers fit my son really nicely around 8.5 lbs.  I prefer the snapping versions that have the umbilical cord snap; rather than the scoop on the aplix version, because the snap seems to do a better job of keeping the diaper away from the umbilical cord. At 8.5 lbs, this diaper is still not on the biggest setting, so hopefully it'll fit for another pound or 2.  I think this would be a great diaper for a smaller baby too.

Action shots:

 

4 weeks old - 11 pounds:
At this size, the tiny newborn diapers are very close to being outgrown.  The side snap version has a touch more growing room than the other two, but all will be retired soon.  The pattern notes that the tiny version will fit to approximately 13 pounds if made with stretchy fabrics.  Every baby is different though, and with my son's, the diapers fit to 11 pounds; with the exception of the side snap, which I would guess will fit a little longer, maybe to 12 pounds

Action shots:

 

 

 


Fit update for Regular Newborn:
Before umbilical cord falls off:
The snapping versions of the diaper fit great at a little over 8 lbs.  I put them on the tightest leg setting and almost the tightest waist setting.  I think this diaper would be too big for a baby under 8lbs.  I could not try the aplix diaper in this round because it covered the umbilical cord.  The snapping diapers with the umbilical snap worked great though,  I like the side snapping and front snapping versions equally.  This diaper has plenty of growing room.

4 weeks old - 11 pounds:
The regular newborn version fits my son great at this size.  They were all set to approximately the medium setting.  All of the versions seem to have a good amount of growing room left; with the side snap version having slightly more growing room than the other two versions.

Action shots:

 

 

 

2 months old - 14lbs10oz:
These diapers fit nicely still. The aplix and front snap diapers are on almost the largest settings now, and the side snap version is on the medium setting.  The diapers have a trim fit, but still adequate coverage to prevent leaks.

 

 

Get the pattern:

www.darlingdiapers.com

Thank you very much to the mama who designed such a great pattern! 

Please feel free to comment about your experience with the Darling Diapers Unlimited pattern or with any questions about my review!