One-size Pocket Fitted Diaper Tutorial

Here's my first attempt at a sewing photo tutorial!  I found this free pattern for a one-size fitted pocket diaper at Little Bean Bum's blog.  She has photo instructions there too, but I changed a few things, so I thought I would show you what I did!  This is a great pattern.  Easy and quick to make, and it fits my one-year-old very well.  The fact that you stuff it in the front makes it much easier to sew, and I love that you can use just about anything stuffed in the pocket!  I bought a big bag of microfiber towels in the automotive department of our local Meijer store for really cheap.  One of them works ok for shorter period, but I would recommend using 2 for naps or overnight.  If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave a comment.  Alright...here we go!

Cut out the pattern according to Little Bean Bum's measurements.  I did make the narrowest section in the middle a little slimmer after my first trial run.  A full sheet of newspaper works great.

Trace pattern onto fabric and cut out.  I used terrycloth for the outer layer and Alova suedecloth for the inner layer (both from JoAnn's)

Pin pieces right sides together, using a few extras around the wings to keep them matched up just right.

Stitch all the way around using 3/8" seam allowance...

...but leave the front open!!

Sew in elastic right on your seams.  Little Bean Bums' tutorial shows to make a casing for the back elastic, but that sounded like a lot of work to me, so I did the back elastic just like the sides.  I stretched the side elastic starting about 3" from the front of the diaper all the way to about 1 1/2" from the wings.  To sew elastic, lay it on the wrong side of the inner layer where you want it to start.  Stitch back and forth a few times, then switch to a medium zigzag stitch.  With the needle in the fabric, pull elastic tight and begin stitching.  Continue stretching the elastic as you go, stopping to readjust as needed.  When you reach the point where you want your elastic to end, switch back to a straight stitch and go back a forth a few times to lock in your stitches.  Cut the elastic off close to your stitching.  This sounds complicated at first, but it doesn't take long to get the hang of it!

Trim seam allowances all the way around the diaper.  Hem the front opening with a zigzag stitch (but don't sew it shut!)  

Turn the diaper right side out and push the wings all the way out...I like to use a pen tip with the pen not out.  Topstitch all the way around (again, don't stitch the front closed!) about 1/4" from the edges.  When you reach the sections with elastic, make sure to widen your allowance to about 1/2" so as not to stitch over the elastic.  When topstitching the elastic portion, stretch the diaper out tight.

All done!  Here it is on my 12 month old, secured with a safety pin.  This diaper will require a cover, of course:-)  Snappis also work great since the outside is terry.  You can adjust the size by simply tucking the front pocket of the diaper into itself.  Enjoy, and happy sewing!

...and here's the hat to match!

The little shoes from Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones turned out so cute that I just had to make the military-style cap to match.  And I must admit, the directions for this one were a leeeetle bit tricky.  I got turned around between all the right sides, wrong sides, linings, exteriors, and turning and ended up stitching it with the bill stuck in between the hat and the lining.  Oops.  But, it turned out ok in the end.  It only involved ripping off the bill and lining and redoing the second half of the instructions...

The sizing was a little off.  The hat definitely fits my 3 year old better than Sir Percival, but that was ok too because Percival would not keep the hat on for more than a second, but Sir Gawain loves it!  (Sorry about the picture quality...he was pretty excited about the hat.  Made it hard to "shoot" a moving target.)

I just had to sew something...

so here they are!  I decided to go for the "Cutie Booties" from Amy Butler's adorable book Little Stitches for Little Ones.  I made them in the 9-12 month size and they barely still fit Sir Percival at 11 months...I guess he must have big feet.  Or I wasn't being very careful with the seam allowances:)  I'm not quite sure why I chose to sew booties for a baby that won't keep anything on his feet for longer than 3 seconds (I had to stick him in the high chair where he couldn't reach his feet just to get the photo!), but it sure was fun.

This was the first project I have attempted from the book, and it was really easy to use.  The included patterns were simple to read and all the directions were very understandable.  And in usual Amy Butler fashion, the pictures of the completed projects are just so beautiful that it's pretty much impossible to say no!  My next project is going to be the "military-style cap" to match the booties...