A new way to prefitted - no serger required tutorial - Craft Show and Tell

Shanna · 03-10-2008, 12:17 PM

This method has side tabs and extra soaker in the wet zone! Super quick to make too!

As far as I know, this is a new way to make prefitteds. I wanted an alternative since I don't own a serger, and my machine doesn't like doing the overlock very well. Forgive me, as I'm not very good at pattern writing and it can be unusually hard to describe something that's really simple.

Mark your tabs. I've used two slightly different patterns here, one w/ a more gradual tapering to cover the bum a little more. There are pros and cons to this, as you'll see later

Cut along the marked lines. Do NOT cut down the middle!

Open up the layers down the middle soaker. One side will probably havea long 'tag' on the inside. Cut it out if you can. It doesn't have to be pretty, it just takes away some of the bulk and make gathering w/ elastic a little more effective.

Fold the center sections in to join in the middle. You'll need to figure out how far in to hem to get them to lay flat. (ex. gerber prefolds need about 1.25" seam, GMDs only need .5").

Sew the outer edges of both middle sections together.

Reach through the "tunnel" and turn the prefold inside out. you can trim the fabric to the curve of the soaker here.

Lay the soaker flat, making sure the seam is spread apart flat on the underside. Stitch the soaker down using a zig zag stitch along the top, using a 5/8" straight stitch sew a casing down the legsfor elastic, zig zag across the bottom and straight stitch back up the other leg.

Thread your elastic through the casing. **New sewers tip** - attach a saftey pin to the end of your elastic to make this WORLDS easier. Even better, push the safety pic through with a knitting needles

Fold the cut ends of the tabs in on themselves and hem together close to the edge.

Continue the curve down right over the elastic. Sew over the elastic a few times to secure.

Turn the diaper around and do the same on the other side. As you get to the elastic, pull it tight, helping the fabric to gather as much as possible.

Continue your hem over the tightened elastic. Reinforce a few times.

**new sewer tip** when cutting the excess elastic, pull it tight and cut. it will retract and not be readily visable.

You can snappi the sides, or apply aplix (velcro) or snaps for side closures. Of course by the time my aplix arrived, DS has pretty much completely outgrown these...

Wider cut. covers the bum better, but not as much casing for the elastic.

Narrower cut, more bikini-ish in the rear, but more room for elastic.

And just so you know I practice my babywearing trade, here's my little helper:

Thanks for reading!!