Wee Weka Serged - Newborn

About the pattern:

This is a free pattern for a front closing diaper that can be made with either hook & loop or snap closure.  If using snap closure, there is optional front elastic.  This pattern is in size small, but directions are given for how you can reduce the pattern to newborn, or enlarge the pattern to size medium.  There are no sewing instructions included with the pattern.  The unique thing about this pattern is that you can also use it to make an elasticized contoured mini-diaper or to make a countoured insert.

My test diaper:

I made a newborn sized fitted diaper with hook & loop closure.  I don’t have a serger, so I used my machine’s overlock stitch to faux-serge the diaper.  You can also just add on the seam allowance and turn & topstitch the diaper if you prefer.  Here are some pictures of my test diaper:

(The pattern didn’t actually instruct you to sew the loop tape on crooked, I was just daydreaming, haha)

I also tested out the mini-diaper pattern (I did make some minor alterations to the shape, because I was making it to fit into a cover made with the Super Front Snap pattern.)  Here are pictures of the mini-diaper:

Overall opinion:

I like the overall shape of this pattern, however, I feel that the rise is a little short.  I will say though, that this diaper probably would have worked perfectly for my daughter when she was a newborn because she had a barrel tummy and a short rise; and this diaper looks like it would fit that body type perfectly.  It is funny how differently babies are all shaped J  I really like the contoured mini-diaper pattern too, I think that using them as part of an all-in-two system would be great for newborns because the elasticized mini-diaper would provide more leak-protection than a regular insert.

Fit update:
Before umbilical cord falls off:
At 8lbs10oz, this diaper fit my son really nicely.  The rise is quite low, so it sits underneath the cord stump without having to fold down the front.  I do worry that the low rise might limit how long it'll continue to fit though.

4 weeks old, 11 pounds:
This diaper fits nice and snug now, with a very trim fit.  Although this diaper is still on almost the snuggest waist setting, my son is very close to outgrowing it in the rise; so I would guess the maximum weight is around 12 pounds for this diaper.
Action shots:

 

5 weeks old - about 12 pounds:
This diaper is now outgrown.

Get the pattern:

http://thenappynetwork.org.nz/images/Wee_Weka_Serged_edge_snap_in_soaker_Contour_&_Fitted_nappy_Pattern.pdf

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

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