Rocket Bottoms - Premie/XS

About the pattern:

This is a free pattern for a front closing premie diaper that can be made with snap or hook & loop or loop fabric closure.  The pattern dips down in the front to accomodate the umbilical cord.  There are no instructions included with this pattern.

My test diaper:

I made a fitted diaper out of stretchy materials, with hook & loop closure.  Here are some pictures, as well as a picture next to an iPhone for size reference.

Overall opinion:

This diaper really is quite small so I think it would be a great pattern for a premature baby or a very small baby.  You could even add cross-over closures to make this even smaller.  Despite being so small, it is easy to sew because the curves are smooth.

Fit update:
At my son's lowest weight (8lbs), this diaper did not fit him.  So, the max weight for this diaper is somewhere under 8lbs.

Get the pattern:

http://rocketbottoms.blogspot.com/2011/07/free-preemiexs-diaper-sewing-pattern.html

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

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

Fattycakes - Newborn

About the pattern:

This is a paid pattern for a side snapping diaper available in sizes NB, S, M, L and XL.  The pattern includes brief instructions for pocket, AIO/AI2 and fitted diapers.  This pattern also works great for FOE-bound covers; however there are no instructions included for covers.

My test diapers:

I made three fitted diapers, with a few different variations.  The first diaper is made with blind elastic; which is how the instructions say to make the diaper.  The blind elastic creates a cute ruffled look around the legs; however, I find it pretty difficult to do.  Here are some pictures of the blind elastic diaper:

I then made another diaper, but I switched to my preferred elastic technique (sewing down the elastic with a three-step zig-zag stitch).  I also noticed that the thighs and waist of the fattycakes pattern seemed a little large compared to other newborn diapers I have made, so I added an additional snap setting in order to make it a little smaller.  (The pattern includes 3 snap settings, so I added a fourth). 

Here is a picture of the diaper on the smallest setting:

And for comparison, here is a picture of the diaper on what would have been the smallest setting if I hadn’t added the fourth snap setting:

I then made one more diaper, because I still thought the diaper seemed a little bit big.  I shrunk down the pattern to 95% and sewed up another one using the same techniques as the previous diaper (3-step zig-zag elastic, and adding a fourth snap setting).  Shrinking the pattern down to 95% isn’t a major difference, but it did shave about ¾ of an inch off of the rise and also ¾ off of the wing span.  Here are some pictures of the 95% diaper (blue) compared to the full-size diaper (grey).

Overall opinion:

I think that this pattern runs slightly large, but that the additional snap setting really helps; as does shrinking the pattern down slightly.  This pattern has good bum coverage without seeming bulky, and it seems like it would continue fitting much longer than most newborn diapers; especially if made with stretchy materials.  If you are expecting a very small baby; this may not start fitting until baby plumps up a little bit.  I really like that the pattern includes front elastic to get a more precise fit.  As far as newborn pocket diapers go, I think that this one would be pretty easy to stuff because it isn’t super tiny.

Fit update:
Before umbilical cord falls off:
At 8lbs 10 oz, the diaper that I reduced to 95% and added an extra snap setting to fit quite well.  The full-size one fit ok, but the legs were loose.  The wings on this diaper are quite long, so I had to fold them back so that they didn't lay over the umbilical cord, then I also tucked the front of the diaper down.  This worked well to keep the diaper off of the cord stump, it just looked a little messy, but it stayed put.  If I hadn't added the extra snap setting to these diapers then they definitely would have been too big because I had them on the tightest leg setting.  I do really like this diaper though and I think that once his legs plump up, this will be a favorite.

Action shots (I didn't get action shots of the 95% one):

 

4 weeks old, 11 pounds:
At this size, the diaper fits nicely; but the legs are still a touch loose on the full-size version.  The version that I reduced to 95% fits nice and snug on the tightest leg setting.  It is a good thing that I added the extra snap settings though, or else the diapers would still be too loose.  The full size version works well now, but I think it will be a perfect fit starting around 12 pounds.  The wings on these diapers are quite long; I cannot imagine a baby making it to the loosest snap setting before outgrowing the rise.  You could probably trim an inch off of the wings to save on fabric, and just slide the wing snaps over...that would also help to make the diaper start fitting sooner.
Action shots of the diaper reduced to 95%:

 

Action shots of the full size version:

 

2 months old, 14lbs,10oz:
These diapers fit really nicely now.  They are both on almost the tightest settings, but the version reduced to 95% is getting short in the rise now.

Action shots of version reduced to 95%:

 

Action shots of full-size version:

 


Get the pattern:

http://hyenacart.com/Inspired/st/752/92348/Fattycakes-Sewing-Pattern

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

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

Baa Baa Baby Two-Size Diaper, size Small

About the pattern:

This is a free pattern for a closureless fitted diaper that is available in two sizes; size small (which folds down to size newborn) and size large (which folds down to size medium).  There is a great photo tutorial with this pattern that walks you through creating a serged fitted diaper with rolled leg elastic casings.

My test diaper:

I made a small fitted diaper, but I did not leave it closureless because I prefer fitted diapers with closures; so I added hook & loop to my diaper.  When adding closures, you can no longer fold over the rise to make it smaller, so I also added a snap-down rise.  I took pictures of my test diaper before I added the closures and snap-down rise, so I’ll start with those pictures.

Here is the diaper on the small setting:

Here is the diaper with the rise folded down for the newborn setting:

Now here are the pictures once I added the closures and snap-down rise.  The newborn settings are on the left and the small settings are on the right.

Overall opinion:

I really like this pattern and I like that you get more mileage out of your diapers by using it through two sizes.  I really like the sizing of this diaper.  When folded over or snapped down, it looks like a really good size for a newborn.  I don’t like how wide the front panel is.  Here is a picture of the diaper before the wings are folded over; you can see how wide the front panel is. I don’t like that it has to wrap so far around the baby’s tummy and then I always end up with wing droop when diapers have a wide front panel:

If I were to make more diapers from this pattern, I would probably just narrow the front panel a little bit.  I really like this pattern, and if you were to add closures and a snap-down rise like I did, this could also be used for pocket diapers or all-in-one/all-in-two diapers.

Fit update:
4 weeks old - 11 pounds:
This diaper has a nice snug fit with the rise snapped down, and it has plenty of growing room too.  I had mentioned that the front panel was long, but I haven't had any issues with wing droop despite this.  I also see that the wide front panel would be nice if you made snappiable diapers because it would provide extra layers of fabric to keep the snappi teeth away from baby's hips.

Action shots:

 

2 months old - 14lbs,10oz:
This is a great fit now!  I really love this diaper, it fits nicely on the medium waist setting and has lots of growing room (my son is still wearing it with the rise snapped down).

 

Get the pattern:

http://baabaababy.us/2011/01/free-fitted-diaper-pattern/

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

Please feel free to comment about your experience with the Baa Baa Baby two-size fitted diaper pattern or with any questions about my review!

Shar’s Side Snap - Newborn

About the pattern:

This is a free pattern for a side closing pocket diaper that can be made with either snaps or hook & loop.  This pattern is available only in size newborn, but is based on the Wee Weka S-M side snapping diaper pattern.  There are brief instructions included with the pattern.

My test diaper:

I made a fitted diaper with snap closure.  This pattern is intended to be made as a pocket, but I find it difficult to stuff newborn size diapers, so I made mine with a snap-in insert rather than a pocket.  While sewing this diaper, I noticed that the back elastic continued past the start of the snap settings; which seemed a little awkward and made it a little more difficult to sew on the elastic.

Here is a picture of the front of the diaper; not much to see from the front when it is snapped to the smallest setting, because the front wings wrap all the way around to the back!

Here is a side shot of the diaper, the leg openings seem like a good size for a newborn:

When opened up all of the way, it looks like the diaper settings are larger than necessary because I think that a baby would outgrow the rise long before their waist was this large:

Here is the diaper opened up.  It is wide enough that if you did make it a pocket diaper, it would probably be easier to stuff than most newborn patterns.

This pattern is based off of the Wee Weka S-M pattern; so I was curious how similar the two patterns were.  I took the Wee Weka pattern and shrunk it down 90% and then sewed one up to compare to Shar’s version.  They are VERY similar, but the Shar’s pattern is a little wider through the crotch; resulting in slightly smaller leg openings.  The Wee Weka pattern does not have the elastic extending past the snap settings, so I liked that a little better.  Here are some comparison pics (the Wee Weka diaper is light blue & brown).

Overall opinion:

I like that this pattern has front elastic because I think that would help to contain messes and provide a more precise fit.  I think that the wings could be shortened; and the snap settings moved closer together, so that the waist wouldn’t be so large on the biggest setting and so that the back elastic didn’t extend past the snap settings.  I do like this pattern though, and think that it would be a great option for someone wanting to make pocket diapers.  I also like the Wee Weka version shrunk down 90%.

Fit update:
Before umbilical cord falls off:
This diaper was still a little bit loose on my son at 8lbs10oz, even on the tightest snap settings.  It was kind of awkward to put on because the wings wrap around practically under his back.  I tucked the front of the diaper down to keep it away from the umbilical cord.  It has nice full coverage, so would probably be a good nighttime diaper choice once baby is a little bigger.  I would guess this wouldn't really start fitting well until around 9 lbs.

4 weeks old, 11 pounds:
This diaper fits nice now on the tightest settings, it has good coverage and fits nice and snug on the thighs.  I just don't care for this diaper though; I find it annoying to change because the wing snaps wrap so far around by baby's back.  The diaper functions well though.

Action shots:

 

2 months old, 14lbs10oz:
This diaper fits on the medium snap settings, but the rise is getting too low, so it will be retired soon.

 


Get the pattern:

http://thenappynetwork.org.nz/images/shars_newborn_sidesnap.pdf

The Wee Weka S-M pattern is here: http://thenappynetwork.org.nz/images/WeeWeka_SMSideSnap.pdf

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

Please feel free to comment about your experience with Shar’s Side Snap pattern or with any questions about my review!

Ottobre – 0-6 months (62-74 cm)

About the pattern:

This is a free pattern for a front closing diaper with hook & loop closure.  The pattern is available in two sizes; 0-6 months and 6-18 months.  Brief instructions are included with the pattern.

My test diaper:

I made a size 0-6 month fitted diaper with hook & loop closure.  This diaper is huge; I cannot imagine it fitting a newborn baby!  The instructions say to serge or use a zig-zag stitch to finish the edges, rather than turning & topstitching the diaper.  I was tempted to turn & topstitch it anyway just to make it a little smaller, but I decided to be a good pattern tester and sew the pattern the way it was intended to be sewn J  Here are some pictures:

Despite the overall size of this diaper, the thigh openings do actually look pretty small:

Here is a picture comparing the size of the Ottobre diaper to the Darling Diapers Unlimited larger newborn pattern:

Here is a picture of the Ottobre diaper with the newborn insert that I have used in the rest of the diaper patterns that I have tested so far, it is kind of funny:

I think this is more of a toddler size diaper; here is the Ottobre diaper on my 26lb 20 month old:

I think that even if you were to add a snap-down rise to this diaper, it would still be too large for a newborn because it has an extremely wide front panel and is very wide through the crotch and the bum.

Overall opinion:

This pattern is very full coverage in the bum and has a very high rise, so it would probably be a good choice for nighttime.  If you use it for a fitted diaper, it would be best used under a soaker or woolies because it would probably be hard to get a wrap-style diaper cover to fit over this.  However, due to the overall size of this diaper, I wouldn’t plan to use it in a newborn stash; it would probably work better when the baby is at least a year old.  I try to give each pattern a fair chance because I know that the patterns wouldn't be released if they didn’t work for somebody; but I really don’t think this one would work for a newborn baby.  (Also, as a side-note, I double-checked my printing test square and the pattern did print out properly…I actually checked it several times because I thought something must have gone wrong, but it measured exactly right!)

Get the pattern:

http://www.ottobredesign.com/en/print/pdf/vaippa_en.pdf

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

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