Mama Kat Diapers: Shar’s Side Snap

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: