Baa Baa Baby Fleece - Newborn

About the pattern:

This is a free pattern available in sizes NB, S, M and L.  It is intended to be used to make a single layer fleece cover; but the pattern designer notes that it can also be used for fitteds or pockets.  It is a side snapping pattern with both front and back elastic.  This pattern has a photo tutorial that shows you how to make a fleece cover with it; however it does not come with any instructions for making a fitted diaper or any other type of diaper.

My test diapers:

I used this pattern to make a fitted diaper.  I think that the front elastic will allow for a more tailored fit and the double wing snaps allow you to adjust the waist and thigh separately.  This diaper has a lot of bum coverage, so I think that would be a great feature if you used this pattern to make a cover (as it is intended to be used); but I also like having a lot of bum coverage in the fitteds since I use them under wool or fleece longies/soakers.  If you plan to use this under a wrap-style cover, I am sure that would be fine as long as your cover pattern also had good bum coverage.  (Or just use this same pattern as a cover – since you turn & topstitch the fitted diaper, that will make it slightly smaller than a FOE-bound single layer cover...so it would be the perfect pairing!)

Here is a picture of the diaper snapped on the smallest setting – you can see that it is SO cute J

Here is the diaper laid out flat, as well as an up-close picture of the wings.  I left the wing ends open so that I could reach in and apply hidden snaps (I couldn’t apply them ahead of time because the wings appeared to be too small to allow me to stitch around the snaps).  However, I also had trouble trying to turn in the edges of the wings since they were close to the snaps, so I just used my machine’s overlock stitch to close up the wing ends.  It may not be pretty, but it works for me!

Here is the diaper on the largest setting.  There is not a big difference between this setting and the smallest setting, because the wing snaps are set pretty close together.

Fleece cover:

This pattern is intended to be used to make single layer fleece covers, so I made a cover the way the pattern intends.  I love this cover and will certainly make more of them (in all sizes!)  Here are some pictures:

Overall opinion:

I really like this pattern; I think it would be great to use for single layer covers, but it also works well for fitted diapers.  With all of the elastic in this diaper, combined with the use of stretchy materials,  I think this diaper would last for a couple of months rather than just a couple of weeks.  I think that this pattern would also work well for a pocket diaper.  Most newborn diapers seem like they would be too difficult to stuff, but this one seems like it is roomy enough to work as a pocket diaper.

Fit update:
Before umbilical cord falls off: 
At around 8.5 lbs, this diaper was a great fit on my son.  There was still plenty of growing room in it, but the double row of snaps allowed me to snug up the legs enough to get a great fit on the skinny newborn legs.  This diaper doesn't have an umbilical snap/scoop, so I folded down the front and that worked great with the side snap design, and the front stretch of elastic helped hold it in place so it didn't wiggle up and irritate the cord stump.

Update at 4 weeks - 11 pounds:
I love this diaper. it is a great fit on a medium setting.  Action shots:

 

Update at 2 months old - 14lbs,10oz:
This diaper fits nicely on the loosest leg setting and medium waist setting.  This is one of my favorites; it has good coverage without being bulky.  This will not fit too much longer because the lights will be outgrown soon.

 

Get the pattern:

The pattern can be found here:  http://ebgirl.fobby.net/bbb/pattern/

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

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