Shar's Newborn Fitted Nappy

About the pattern:
This is a free pattern that is only available in the newborn size.  It has two closure options (hook & loop or front snapping); both closure options are designed to allow cross-over closure to fit smaller babies.  There are a few pictures and brief instructions included with this pattern.  If you have sewn a few diapers before, then these instructions should be adequate.

My test diapers:
I decided to make a diaper with each of the closure options.  I made both of the fitted diapers out of stretchy materials.  My pictures don't do these diapers justice - they are very cute!

The hook & loop version has the hook tape sewn entirely on the wing.  I am not used to doing it this way, and although I feel like it isn't as secure, it does look nice and I think it should hold just fine.  If you would prefer to overhang the hook tape, that would work with this pattern.

The snap diaper has 5 hidden snaps on the front panel and 2 snaps on each wing (plus an additional optional crossover snap).  The odd number of snaps on the front panel does create a problem when the diaper is on a medium setting - it works, but looks sloppy:

Overall opinion:
I love this diaper!  I really like that the front panel is narrow.  Although it means the diaper won't fit for as long, I like that there isn't a lot of bulk on the tiny newborn tummy.  I feel like this diaper is perfectly sized and proportioned.  For someone trying to decide between the two closure styles, I would go with the hook & loop version because I feel like a snapping diaper without front elastic does not offer enough adjustibility for a newborn.

Fit update:
Before umbilical cord falls off:
I could only try out the snapping version of this diaper because the rise was too high to try the hook & loop version because I'm unable to tuck down the front of the hook & loop one without irritating the cord stump.  At 8lbs10oz, this diaper was a nice fit.  Due to the double wing snaps though, it doesn't have much growing room; unless I made a snap cover to cover the second snap if it wasn't in use.  For a smaller baby, this diaper has crossover closure; however, then you wouldn't be able to tuck down the front to keep it away from the cord stump, so it probably wouldn't work for a smaller baby until the cord falls off.

 

4 weeks old, 11 pounds:
This diaper fits nice and snug, and is trim.  The aplix version is fastened on a medium setting, but the snap version is already on the largest setting due to the double wing snap.  If only one wing snap had been used, then it would still have more growing room.  With such a narrow front panel, I see no reason that it would be necessary to have double wing snaps.

 

 


2 months old, 14lbs10oz:
This diaper is now fitting on the largest settings; I would consider this to be the max weight.

 


Get the pattern:
http://www.thenappynetwork.org.nz/images/shars_newborn_fitted.pdf
Thank you very much to the mama who provided this free pattern!

Please feel free to comment about your experience with Shar's Newborn Fitted Nappy or with any questions about my review!