Sunday, September 25, 2011

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:

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!

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