How to Wednesday: How to Sew Elastic--Both Polybraid and Lastin

Today I'm focusing on elastic. The two best choices for making diapers are polybraid and lastin. 

Polybraid

Is rubber with a polyester braid encasing it. Many diaper makers use it. I recommend the 3/8 inch for thicker fabrics but some people use 1/4 inch as well. I think 3/8 inch is a little stretchier and lasts longer. 

Lastin 

Is the industry standard in clear elastic. Proven against seawater, oil, urine, light acids, perspiration, cosmetics, and general solvents. Lastin® is ideal for diapers, sportswear, swimwear, lingerie, infant wear and bed sheets. Excellent fabric memory, over 300% stretch. Lastin® retains its ability to perform under extreme hot and cold temperatures. Will Not Tear, Can be stitched without tearing. Lastin® will not wear out, and will last for the life of the garment. Lastin® has 4 to 5 times the stretch of rubber elastic. 

Biggest Tips:  
Prewash and dry your polybraid--it will tighten up.

Prestretch your Lastin before use. This will also tighten up after being washed and dried.

Buy name brand Lastin.

Do not tack one end of Lastin down then stretch and tack the other end--you can do this with polybraid but NOT Lastin. 

Enjoy the tutorial!

The Rita's Rump Fitted Pocket Pattern

So I am pretty impressed. It's the first one people recommend when you are getting started and now I see why! I don't know how I missed it!

This was a great pattern to work with. Easy instructions, easy pattern to put together, and easy materials to find. Can I say easy one more time? All you need is 2 22 x 20 inch flannel cuts, some 3/8 inch polybraid elastic or lastin and some polyester thread. It took me about 25 minutes to print, cut, construct, and trim.

Some things I might change:

+ I would probably recommend using a different inner material versus the flannel for wicking purposes, something like bamboo velour, cotton velour, or microfleece would be perfect.

+ The back does not have elastic--with my super pooper this is a necessity--simply make an elastic casing with the inner fabric when you fold it over to make the pocket opening and you've got it done.

+ I had some issues with wing droop as well--so maybe extend the elastic up the arms 2 inches or so to solve it.

Here are some pics of Ella wearing it stuffed with 2 microfiber towels. She is 3 months old and probably about 13 lbs or so.

This is a versatile pattern that you could easily sew a soaker into to make a nice pocket all-in-one hybrid or use PUL on the outside to make it waterproof or do both. This is definitely a pattern every cloth diaper maker should keep in their arsenal.

Checkout my video tutorial and review on youtube!

An Introduction

I am the momma behind Cheeky Diapers! I started cloth diapering my son, Ethan when he was 3 months old and have cloth diapered my daughter, Ella, from birth. We switched because: I was laid-off and we couldn't afford sposies, it is healthier for your baby, and we wanted to do what was right for the environment. My next blog will be about why you should cloth diaper and have a lot more details. :) I started off with a hand full of prefolds and some second hand covers from diaperswappers and we haven't looked back. Before I knew it I was teaching myself to sew, then developing my own designs, and Cheeky Diapers was born.

I am starting this blog because I want to spread the cloth diapering love and sewing is a TON of fun. I plan to:

+ Blog about the free patterns and for purchase patterns that are on the web, which will include step-by-step videos, pictures and reviews.

+ Blog about cloth diapering in general.

+ Host Sew-Alongs and Swaps.

+ Post Free Sewing Tutorials.

+ Be a resource for diaper sewing notions and materials.

"Sew" enjoy! Let the sewing begin!