Instructions for Sewing a Pull-on Fleece Cover/Training Pants

You can make these with or without a serging sewing machine, or even by hand if you are truly committed! 

Materials

Outer Fabric: 100 % wool (be sure to felt first—wash in hot water and dry on hottest setting three times), PUL or Polartec (Malden Mills) 200, or Wind Pro (WP) fleece.  You may want to treat the fabric with Nik-Wax or lanolin.  See appendix for more information.

Thread: If you are using a regular sewing machine, we recommend using polyester Gutermann® thread.  If you are serging, use Maxilock.  I still use Gutermann in the needle. 

Needles: We recommend always using ball point stretch needles, Stretch 14/90  Schmetz are a good choice. Hint: if your machine is skipping stitches, your needle is dull.  Change out your needle after 7 hours of sewing for best results.

Elastic: it is cheapest to purchase by the yard.  I usually buy 5 yards at a time.  You can use ¼ inch, Lastin®, Stretchrite cotton or poly blends, or 5/8 inch fold over elastic (FOE).

For Training Pants you will also need:

Absorbent fabric: I recommend knit burley or hemp fleece.  The toweling knits you find at local fabric stores wash up stiff and uncomfortable for baby.

Lining: This is what will rest against your baby’s skin.  We recommend a knit with at least 70% cotton content.  You can also use hemp fleece or knit burley with nice results.

Pattern

Pattern is included in this publication.  There are two pieces, and you can alter to fit your baby or toddler.

Instructions for sewing your diaper cover

It is recommended you first try this with a piece of muslin or other ‘extra’ fabric you have, so you ensure proper fit for your baby before cutting into the more expensive fleece or wool.

Cut out parts A and B using your chosen outer fabric. Hint: If the fabric pattern is all one direction, cut them out so it looks right side up as shown in the illustration.

With right sides together sew the crotch together with about a 1/4 inch seam.

Prepare elastic: Measure your baby’s thigh.  Cut the elastic one inch shorter than this measurement.  Measure your baby’s tummy, cut the elastic one inch shorter than this measurement.

Adding elastic around the leg openings:

Regular method:

Fold your fabric to the inside 1/2 inch along the leg opening edges. Sew with a straight stitch along this fold.   Using a small safety pin, insert the elastic through the hem casing. Zig-zag titch the ends of the elastic together.

Fold over method:

Fold the elastic around the edge of the fabric.  Sew around.  Hint: Colored or variegated thread makes this a fun touch!

 

With right sides together, sew the side seams together with a ¼ inch seam.  You will be sewing over the elastic.

Adding elastic around the top opening:

 

Regular method:

Fold your fabric to the inside 1/2 inch along the top edge. Sew with a straight stitch along this fold.  Leave an opening of about an inch to insert elastic. Using a small safety pin, insert the elastic through the hem casing. Zigzag stitch the ends of the elastic together.

Fold over method:

Fold the elastic around the edge of the fabric.  Sew along this elastic. 

 

Instructions for sewing your training pants:

It is recommended you first try this with a piece of muslin or other ‘extra’ fabric you have, so you ensure proper fit for your baby before cutting into the more expensive fleece or wool.

 

Preparing the fabrics:

Lay the lining fabric and the outer fabric on top of each other on your cutting mat.  Cut out A and B (you will now have four cuts of fabric).

 

Cut your absorbent layers.  We recommend that you use three layers of hemp fleece, cut 10 x 3 inches. If you have a serger machine, serge around all layers.  If you have a regular sewing machine or are doing this by hand, sew a straight stitch around the edges so the layers won’t pull apart in the wash. (hint: sometimes, I just glue stick them together, as I will be sewing them all together in the next step, and the glue washes out)

 

Lay absorbent layers on the wrong side of the lining. Sew a straight stitch around the layers. Wanna be fancy? Use the zigzag stitch!

 

Sewing layers together:

Place wrong sides of fabric together, stitch around with a ¼ inch seam allowance. 

If you have a serger sewing machine just sew around the edges.

 

Assemble the rest of the training pants using the instructions above for the diaper cover.

 

Want more ideas? 

• Recycle that old wool sweater or blanket into a diaper cover.
• Find a fun patch for the front or back!  Most toddlers will like it on the front.
• Topstitch using a double needle for a more tailored look.
• Add a personal tag to the back so Junior will know the front from the back.
• Knit or crochet your own

Contributed by Megan from CookiePants Advocacy

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