Quick - I need everything anyone knows about making night nappies!

Hey guys,

I need to make some night nappies for DS. There are a few catches -

1 - he is 6 years old and a size 8 clothing (i think around 26kg last time I weighed him), so I need to make them big
2 - he is a ginormous wetter - currently we have him in aldi nappies (they barely fit around him!) and we change him in the middle of the night. Both the middle of the night and the morning ones are very full, but it beats changing sheets every day!
3 - I need to know as much info as I can by tomorrow

The few things I have on the plus side is I am doing sewing lessons (I've done them for a year, so am reasonably proficient), and I have a private 2 hour class scheduled for tomorrow (that I forgot about eekk! hence why I need the info for tomorrow), and my very experienced teacher will help me alter the pattern etc.

I'm guessing I won't be able to buy the fabric tomorrow morning as I hear you can't get them in shops (is that correct), but hopefully I can at least get the pattern sorted, and I can sew it the next week.

I want to make an ?AIO (or really and AI2 if i have my terms right? (I have never used cloth nappies before, am planning on with the next baby). So basically I want the nappy and cover to be together (but super absorbent) and the ability to snap in liners to boost the absorbency.

Ok, so questions:

1. Anyone got any general websites I should look at for info?
2. What measurements do I need from my son? I was thinking hip, waist and the distance through the crotch from the front of the waist (belly button), to the back, along with the circumference of the legs
3. Where can I go to look at patterns? Am happy to buy or use free ones, as I know I will be altering them anyway
4. Material - what is the best material to use at each layer (the outermost waterproof layer, the lining/absorbent bit and the snap in liners?). I once saw this cool iron on plastic that went of the seam lines to make them waterproof - do I need this? Anything extra that I need? What is the advantage of using hook & loop vs. snaps at the front?
5. Where do I buy said material from?
6. How much material does each nappy generally use?

I can't even express my thanks enough in advance, this is something I have been meaning to do for over a year now (once I basically found nowhere that I could buy big enough night nappies from), but my DS is special needs, won't be night trained for a long time, and adult/larger size incontinent stuff will add up to being very pricey so figure I should put my sewing skills to good use. And the amount of washing I have from accidents through nappies is just driving me bonkers.

Yael :)

Try googling oz cloth nappies and looking at their sewing faqs and resources (under nappy info).

Nappies covered has a good range of materials

You probably want lots of bamboo for the absorbent bit - you can make it up with snap-in boosters so it doesn't take forever to dry (you can also fold over the boosters so they fold out for drying).
Would suggest a microfleece or suede inner layer, to wick away moisture.
You can use a PUL outer layer for an AIO. But, I would suggest a wool or fleece cover instead. it's not water tight but actually evaporates moisture so you get more mileage out of the nappy. Do you knit? You can knit up a cover pretty easily (even if you're a shocking knitter like me). I reckon wool is better than fleece, but some swear by fleece.

For patterns, you can mock up your own. BAse it on the nappies you're using now, but adjust it as you wish. Then make up a practice one with cheap material, just to check the fit. you can then adjust and try again with the good material once you've got it right.

snaps might be better for night nappies, if you've got access to a snap press.

Take a look around online at night nappies for sale for ideas too :)

Ok, so I've been looking at info for the past hour of so.. things are vaguely beginning to make sense, but it could be another 2 weeks of solid research before I have any real idea of what to do. At the moment I'm just going to focus on a pattern and will probably just do a different project with the rest of my class time.

What is the difference between a pocket nappy and an all-in-2?

if I've got it right the pocket nappy has a waterproof PUL layer, an inner stay dry layer with a slit at the back, and you stuff them with pads of moisture absorbing material such as bamboo?

The all in 2 - does that have a waterproof PUL layer, then an absorbing layer, than the stay dry layer with snaps so you snap in extra pads as needed? How do you make the extra pads, would you also do them as a moisture absorbing core, wrapped in a stay dry layer with snaps on one side? Does that mean you can only have one booster in at a time, compared to a pocket where as long as you can get it in the pocket you potential to stuff it with absorbing material is endless?

Assuming you made them with the same material, which would be better at aborbing - a pocket or an all-in-2?

I'm planning on making a lot, so I'm not so concerned about drying time. If you fold over a booster (do you mean for an all-in-2 or for a pocket or for both), then do they still stay in place?

I can't knit at all, and I think I have to go pocket or all-in-2 because DH will only just cope with something that looks like a disposable TBH.

I have a press stud kit from spotlight, which should be able to go through 1 layer fine, but I guess if you are making an all-in02 you only have to attach them to the pad and the suede/microfleece layer anyway?

And what is the difference between press studs and snaps?

What is the difference between a pocket nappy and an all-in-2?

your description matches my understanding. pockets you put the booster in back, AI2 the boosters lie in the nappy bit. poos are easier to clean from a pocket nappy -cos not as many creases to get stuck in. AI2 slightly easier to pull apart and put together. both can be made as absorbent. if you look at itti bitti- they have 2 boosters- one snaps in from bottom of shell and one from top, and you can also add other boosters that just sit in the shell.

I have a press stud kit from spotlight, which should be able to go through 1 layer fine, but I guess if you are making an all-in02 you only have to attach them to the pad and the suede/microfleece layer anyway? And what is the difference between press studs and snaps?

i have only used the kits (where you use a hammer to attach) on pjs and they would be pretty hard to use with thicker material or multiple layers. if you can access a snap press, it would be worth it, i have never had a prob with snaps put on with a snap press. the snaps are quite cheap.

I'm guessing I found this a bit late Yael, but hope something's helpful.

Pockets and AI2s are basically the same premise just the way the absorbent bit is held in is different. Both are a shell with either a pocket to stuff or snaps to hold the boosters in place. Shells can use either wool or fleece or PUL. Fleece is best at night I'd say for what you need. PUL might cause a bit much sweating. It doesn't breath much.

Press studs aren't as sturdy at snaps. Snaps are metal or plastic and have a couple of parts instead of just the bit you sew into the fabric. They would be far more stable. A hammer in kit would do the same job. The only prob you might find with the hammer in metal ones is rusting due to the long time exposed to wetness.

I have a few patterns I can send you, but an experienced seamstress should be able to draft one off a nappy that fits him (sorta). Pocket is probably easier to sew for an inexperienced nappy maker. It's just the waterproof bit and the microfleece/suede cloth inner sewn and then turned and top stitched together and then all you need to do is sew the boosters.
Trifold boosters work well. They are just two-three layers of bamboo fleece sewn in a large square and then folded in three. You'd need at least 12 layers though I'd say more. People might tell you to use a less bulky absorbent material but in all honestly it just will leak. Microfibre and zorb (man made materials) are prone to compression leaks once they're full to capacity.

Will be back once I've charged my battery. Can send you some links if you're desperate.

Noonee Wilga has a few excellent links on her DIY page (on the right menu bar)