Making Flongies?

[{sarah}]

I want to make a few pairs for my friend's bub due in July & I'm not really sure how to go about it! Do you just make them with microfleece or is there something special you need to use? Also can I just make them like regular pants?

TIA

[Nelle]

From what I understand, you'd want a double layer of fleece (any should do) in the 'wet zone' - around the butt basically.

[Visitor8]

I use Little Additions fleece, then in the wet zone 2 more layers, sort of like shorts sewn in, with microfleece and fleece.

[Jus]

Hi there,
I was just about to make the same post!!! Does anyone know a pattern that works well?

Is it OK just to use fleece from the local sewing shop? Spotlight has a range of different fleeces at the moment. Any recommendations.

where do you get the Little Additions fleece?

Sorry to be a question mark!

[Visitor8]

little additions fleece is from spotlight

I just brought a pattern and changed it to accomodate the cloth bum. Took me 2 tries to get one that works

[rufalina]

good question. I just got some spotlight fleece and was thinking about making them myself. I was going to try some form of pants with shorts built in, as suggested above. So you think any pj pants pattern should do the trick?

[1MOREPLZ]

hmmm maybe i can also jump in on this thread....
am after some flongies for Jack as it is sometimes cold at night....
Missy moo...wanna let me know via PM what pattern you used???

[Jus]

hi, dunno if this will help. did a little net searching & found someone's tutorial.

Hope I'm allowed to post a link. If not, sorry

Katrina's Sew Quick Soaker Pattern: Longies pattern

am going to try it myself. Have some old fleece hanging around.

good luck.

[Visitor8]

I just used one of the brought ones from Spotlight. THe one above is probably better

[Jus]

Hi,
I'm so excited cos I had a go at making the ones I posted a link to, using the blog by Katrina & the original link she posts (shows how to draft your pattern & sew it step by step).
I'm no great sewer, but managed fairly well (I wouldn't be putting them on show, but they'll do the job!)
Thought I'd share what I think has worked...

I made the medium pattern first for small 15 mo dd (she's around 9 kg, so tiny). Cos fleece isn't stretchy I didn't do the waistband, but added 1 inch for a turnover for elastic instead. The rise was still pretty short, and overall the trousers looked pretty small. We use a really bulky nappy that I want the flongies for (tots bots fluffies), mostly at bedtime.

So then I undid the elastic turnover & made the waistband after all. Not sure if it will stretch very well, but the pants are a better size now. The pattern is quite a nice cut. Would also make nice ordinary trackies I think. These prob won't fit dd, but will fit my friends 5 mo (I think)

Then I had a go at the 'large' size, but altered the pattern.

I added approx 2 inches (generous 2 inches) at the top for the elastic turnover and a generous inch down the width of the cut. I did that by not cutting off the paper next to the red line, just overlapping the extra margin there (if you print off the pattern you'll see what I mean, if not & you want to know, ask & I'll try to explain better).

These worked out a much better size I think.

For both pants, I then made another layer (this is another reason I wanted them generous size) for absorption.

I did this by cutting out some 'shorts' using the pattern (used just the actual pattern but not the inseam/leg length - you'll see what I mean if you look at it). Then I attached this near the waist. In the waistband seam for the small pair, near the elastic seam for the large pair.

I even got the lettuce edging to work.

I'm no great sewer, but I have managed to do all this in around 2-3 hours. Next time it'll be quicker cos my pattern will be all sorted

Hope this is helpful!

[rufalina]

Thanks Jus, appreciate your help.... Going to try these out next time I get some sewing time in...

[Jus]

Hey there, just an update. When I put the flongies on dd (had to wait til morning when she was up!), the medium (the smaller pair I made) actually did fit beautifully over the big fluffy nappies. They were a little like grandpa pants (high waist) cos of the extra rise, but the fleece isn't very stretchy so this will help hold them up.

The other pair were HUGE! Will still be fine with elastic tho.

Got some nice stretchy spandex (oh no, 70s flashback) fleece from spotlight tho & am having another go today.

Good luck!!