Monday, January 29, 2007

Nappy Tutorial

Download the pattern

I've been asked a few times now for a nappy tutorial - here it is!!! This is intended for people wishing to make nappies for their own use - not for sale. Please let me know how you go if you try it!

I know there are prolly way too many photos - but thought it better to have too many than too few! It will probably take longer to read the tutorial than it did for me to make the nappy.

The explanation for each photo comes before the photo itself ;)

You'll need:
25x40cm PUL
45x40cm Fleece or Suedecloth
24cm loop side of velcro/aplix
6cm hoop side of velcro/aplix
approx 50cm of 6mm elastic

Cut out the pattern as indicated on the pdf. (1x fleece of each part, 1xPUL of body piece). Cut the hook side of your velcro in half, and 2 x 3cm portions off the end of the loop side so you have 1x 18cm and 2x 3cm.


Pin the right side of the front waistband to the right side of the front of the PUL nappy body - making sure the centres are aligned.


Straight stitch 4mm from edge (this is just to keep it in place for the next step)


There are two ways to do the next step, I've included on here and will do another post later for the other way.

With the fleece on the bottom and right side of the PUL facing down, fold the PUL in half and half again, then one more time making sure you keep the excess PUL at least 1cm from the stitching.



Roll the PUL over one more time until it is small enough for the two edges of the fleece to be brought together again. Still making sure you will be able to stitch approx .5cm from the top edge without catching any of the excess PUL.



Pin the two edges of the fleece together (right sides should be facing IN)


Straight stitch one of the short sides and the long side, stopping before turning the corner for the remaining short side.


Pull the PUL body piece back through the open hole, push the remaining tail thru once PUL is out.


It should look like this:


Fold the PUL in half to check if there is too much fleece on one side (don't want it being lop-sided!!) - you need the unsewn edge to be 1cm longer than the sewn one, but not more than that.

Fold the edges of the open end into the tube 1cm and pin.


Straight stitch shut.


Now pin the right side of the back waistband to the right side of the back of the nappy body.


Pin the other edge of the waistband to the back of the fleece body piece. Right sides together.

Straight stitch along both seams. Laid out flat it should look something like this:

You may need to trim some excess if the fleece has stretched (or if you realise that you cut it wrong to start with - oops!!)


Sew a 1cm hem on the front edge of the inner body piece - I usually use a zigzag but you can do whatever suits.


You should now have one long piece with all parts sewn together. Fold in half, right sides together, ligning up the back waistband edges with each other.


Straight stitch down each side, making sure the fleece doesn't stretch.


Trim each of the back corners slightly so that they're not too bulky when you turn it in the right way.

Attach the elastic. Starting at the back, at the edge of the body piece (not on the waistband), sew the elastic into the seam allowance. Once it is attached by a few stitches, stretch as much as you can as you sew.


Stop once you get to the front waistband and cut the elastic.


Do the same on the other side.


Turn the nappy in the right way - nearly done!!


Attach the big piece of loop to the back waistband - again making sure the centres match.


Attach the small pieces of velcro/aplix to the flaps on either side of the front waistband - hook on the outside, loop on the inside.


That's it!


Model it on an extremely cute baby!!!! :D





Let me know if something's not clear... otherwise - have fun!! I love making these nappies, they fit so well, aren't super bulky and last so long - We use the one size here from early infancy thru to the end of their "nappy days".

9 comments:

Jenny said...

That is one cute kiddo! I'm going to try your tutorial as soon as I get my hands on some PUL.

Eilleen said...

Thanks for this Mel! What a great tutorial. I have some PUL here I'm too scared to use. Once I get my nerve up, I'm going to try your pattern. I love how it does up at the back!

Liz said...

Does the back opening fasten well while standing?

What sort of weight range do you think it would be in?

Ooh to have a baby still in nappies LOL!

Kara said...

I lurve your nappies :) I was had the privilege of being shown how to make these nappies almost two years ago and haven't looked back. Thanks to Missa for generously sharing with me and everyone else....

Willow said...

just finished it, but haven't tried it on DS as he is asleep. So easy and quick that i managed to do it during DS's naps, and still had time for lunch! if it wears well I will certainly make it again because it's very economical of fabric. patterns that have the "wings"--in your case the fleece waistband--cut all one piece with the body leave me with odd-shaped bits of PUL I hate throwing away but can never use.

one thing i might change--when I sew the front panel to the fleece front, i might fold over the seam allowance edges of the PUL where it will later attach to the inner layer. does that make any sense?

Amy Hourigan said...

WOW! that is such a cute nappy (and baby). Definately going to give it a whirl!

Thanks for sharing!

Doudounours said...

I tried your nappy method a few times now. It's fantastic!
I'd like to have your authorization to put a link from my blog to your site and - if you agree - make a translation in French of your tutorial, so that other mothers in France could try your nappy. Can you let me know if you're ok?
Thanks a lot for sharing your nappy method and pattern!

sweetfacesews said...

Hi, the pattern link says it requires a password. Are you no longer offering the pattern?
TIA!

Liss said...

Sorry - I am, I've moved it tho and had forgotten to relink. The pattern works from the post here: http://jerliss.com/jerliss/2007/01/29/nappy-tutorial/