Cloth Diaper Review - Alva Baby & Kawaii Newborn

It's been a long time since I've reviewed or discussed cloth diapers. I thought now was a great time to do it!  We've just had our 5th baby.  He's 11 weeks old and just the most perfect thing ever!  If you've read my blog you know that we started cloth diapering with our 3rd child.  I sewed all his diapers myself and did some reviews here about my favorites.  When we moved to Spokane 2.5 years ago I decided to not cloth diaper our 4th. With the move happening so close to his birth I knew I wouldn't have time to make any and honestly I just didn't want to deal with cloth in a brand new house.  Big mistake! When we found out we were pregnant with our 5th I knew I wanted to start cd'ing again.  Our now almost 2 year old was showing signs of wanting to potty train so I got out the few cloth diapers I had. Our cloth diaper stash at this time consisted of 6 Kawaii diapers, 2 Medium Fuzzy Bunz, and a few of my pockets from cloth diapering Cael.

 AlvaBaby OS Pockets from Amazon.  This is two 6pc sets. One in the "Boy" colors and one in "Neutral" colors.

The last month of my pregnancy was supposed to be my "sew everything up" month.  But, a car accident rendered me to the couch for most of my last month and no sewing was done.  Thus, an alternative had to be found.  I ended up finding some size small gdiapers at my local children's consignment store.  I used some stuffers left over from previous diapering years.  I also found online a whole host of new "cheap china diapers".  I researched some and decided to try some AlvaBaby OS pockets.  So affordable and they come in a whole host of super cute prints and lovely solids. I purchased 6 (I think) for us to try on our toddler before baby arrived.  They have a USA warehouse and shipping was free with my order. When they arrived they looked almost identical to the Kawaii diapers.  The PUL seamed a bit thinner and I liked the bamboo inserts that I chose.  They washed up good and I really liked them.  We also purchased a diaper sprayer and it made it sooooo much easier to deal with toddler diapers.  If you don't yet have a diaper sprayer get one.  Get one now!!!

 Current stash for baby Henry.  (some not pictured as they are dirty) The far left 4 rows are all AlvaBaby OS Pockets.  The 6 minkies on the far right are the Kawaii NB OS Pockets.

Fast forward to 3 weeks post partum and I found that I didn't love the gdiapers.  They just didn't work well on my son.  They are awesome cloth diapers, just not right for me.  I'm a OS pocket girl.   I also saw that we were using our pockets on our toddler more than I thought we would. I tried the pockets on our newborn.  He was about 9 lbs or so.  The Kawaii baby diapers just seamed chunky and huge.  The AlvaBaby diapers fit much nicer so we decided to invest in more of those.  I ended up purchasing 3 - 6packs on Amazon of their OS pockets.  One boy colors, one neutral colors, and one boy print pack.  All came with two microfiber inserts each and were under $36 a pack!  Amazing deal!  They arrived and somehow Amazon had messed up my order.  Instead of the boy print back they sent and extra neutral colors pack.  Amazon refunded my money and said to "keep, toss, or donate" the diapers that were sent wrong.  Seriously!!!! I kept those babies and went to the AlbaBaby US website to purchase some prints.  I really wanted those prints.  I purchased some cute pocket prints and decided to try a few AI1's as well.  The AI1's that are cut the same as the pockets are awesome.  The ones that have the different style tabs and rise setting are terrible.  Stay away from those!

Baby Henry 10.5 weeks old and 15 lb.s 6oz. AlvaBaby OS Pocket diaper on the smallest rise setting.

 Alaina & Henry. Henry is 9 weeks old and just under 15 lb.s  He is wearing the Kawaii NB OS Pocket.  Medium rise setting with room in the waist velcro tabs to grow.

Henry in Kawaii OS NB Pocket. He's just over 14 lbs. here.

Another lucky find at the local children's consignment store were 6 Kawaii Baby NB Pockets.  I didn't know such a thing existed!  They were just $3.99 for 3.  So I purchased the 6 and brought them home.  All I have to say is AMAZING!  Where have these been for my past 3 babies?!  They are cut trimmer and are of course smaller all over.  Love Love Love them. (I'm adding that I've since looked on the AlbaBaby website and they to carry a NB pocket.  I bet I would love those just as much)

In conclusion I'm going to say this.  I've tried almost everything in the cloth diapering wold over the past 5 years. (I've never owned big name brand expensive pockets as they are out of my price range) If doing cloth all over again from the start I would purchase at least 14 NB OS pockets from either AlvaBaby or Kawaii. (maybe even 28) I would then also purchase 24 - 36 OS Pockets from AlvaBaby.  Would I sew my own stash? Probably not.  With the china diapers being so affordable I don't think I could make them for any cheaper.

*I know there is huge debate online right now about cheap china cloth diapers.  My opinion is this.  The big US brand diapers are lovely and I'm sure they are worth every penny. But, many simply can't afford them.  I think the china brand ones are still better for the environment, baby, and my pocket book.  These things make them better than paper diapers any day of the week in my book. 

Newborn & Small Diaper Sewing

I still can't believe I need to make diapers again.  Making these newborns and smalls has been great though.  They are soooo tiny!  I really loved to cloth diaper that first year.  And, while I don't mind doing it now (Cael is almost 3 and should be potty trained within the next 3 months or so) it's harder now that he is eating and drinking like the rest of us.  We've had more stinky diaper issues and staining issues during the last 18 months or so.  Anyways... I read though my posts that i did on diaper and diaper patterns.  I'm sooo glad that I made those posts.  It was nice to remember my favorites and what I liked and didn't like.  I decided that based on that I wouldn't do any newborns.  They only fitted for about 6 weeks or so. 

On to the stash! 

 Two wool covers made from felted sweaters.  Both are LDD's.  The one on the left is a small and the one on the right is a newborn.  I LOVE velcro for covers and I hate doing up tons of snaps during diaper changes.

 I think I might be one of the few who don't like prefolds.  They always seamed to thick and I could never get them on right.  I saw some tutorials for turning them into prefitteds so I tried that.  I think I'll really like these.  On the right are toddler size.  But I think they will fold down to a medium / large.  The ones on the right are infant prefolds and are a nb/sm size.  I'll make more as I find the prefolds.

 These are almost finished... they just need their velcro tabs.  All are Rocketbottom Step 1 Diapers.  I think I'm going to love love love these.  They will snap from a NB to a Small and are supposed to fit 8-18 lbs!  They are all pockets with microfleece liners.

 6 Very Baby Sm AI2's.  The top ones are serged and the bottom ones are turned and topstitched.  I love the Very Baby pattern and highly recommend it.

3  Very Baby Sm Fitteds.  These are sooo soft and squooshy.  Made with stretch terry and some other terry cloth and zorb in the soakers. 

3 NB LDD AI2's.  I know, I know.  I said no Newborn dipes.  But, I had some scrap PUL that was just barely big enough for the NB size so I decided to make them.  I know they will get used in those first weeks and I'll probably be glad for them.  Especially if this baby decides to be smaller than his brother.

This isn't the end of my stash.  I did receive a box of diapers from another cloth diapering mamma.  I did take pictures before I boxed them up but for the life of me I can't find those photos.  But, the box included both newborn and small fitteds, covers, AI2's and some woolies

So Much Baby Knitting!!!

Whew.... It's been a crazy house around here since my last post.  I finally have a moment to sit down and blog!  A quick catch up:  The house is mostly packed, has been on the market and is now pending.  We've gone on a road trip to Spokane and picked out our favorite parts of town.  We are now looking for rentals and should be moved within the next 4 weeks.  The kids have been home and busy helping with all fun things that happen during the summer.  Hanging with friends, packing, swimming, going to the beach to see grandparents etc.  During my "down time" I've been knitting like crazy.  It's portable, and I can sit and knit and then stop easily without leaving any mess.  Plus... most of my sewing stuff and all of my spinning stuff has been packed. 

  So below is what's finished or almost finished.  (I did make some matching booties for the handspun longies, but I haven't taken a pic of those yet.) Right now I have a 1/2 circle blanket and a newborn umbilical hat on the needles.  Pics of those later.  I've posted the names of the pattern plus the link to my Ravelry page in case you want more info on yarns and size.

 

01 - Gift Wrap Romper

02 - Jungle Gym Overalls

03 - Handspun Butt Knits Longies

04 - Evie Pants

05 - Milo Vest

06 - Newborn Pebble

07 - Newborn Puerperium Cardigan

08 - Shadow Stripes Hat

 

 09 - Newborn Vertebrea

10 - Stay On Baby Booties

11 - Gift Wrap Bonnet

12 - Stay On Baby Booties Worsted - sorry no rav page for these.

This last week I made some time to start sewing my newborn/small diaper stash.  There are 6 more pockets on my table now waiting for velcro.  I'll do a full post on these later.

My Current Diaper Stash And Review Of My Favorite Pattern

I've been asked for an updated review of my favorite diaper patterns.  It's actually pretty simple now.  LDD aka: LaDiDa's.  This was a pattern that I heard rave reviews about for months before I caved and bought the pattern.  I've bought many many cloth diaper patterns and have now sold all but 4.  I've kept Fattycakes because I love them as covers.  Je'Mapelle because it fits nice and has many many styles.  A new one that I've forgotten the name of and have yet to try and of course LDD's. 

Daytime Diapering:  My stash currently consists of 11 of my altered LDD's.  I've made them medium long by adding about 2.5" through the rise and I've added some width across the front by cutting it at a bit of an angle on the fold.  This allows for more room in his front where he needs more soaking area.  For a girl you probably wouldn't need this.  I've made a few with a fun print on the outside back and tabs. (meaning that the print goes about 1/3 down the back)  I've found that these wick if he soaks his diaper good.  It doesn't happen often, but it happens enough for me to make new diapers with the embellishment just on the tabs. 

 

For soakers, I think I've tried it all.  Flannel, sweatshirt fleece, terry cloth, hemp, bamboo, jersey cotton, and microfiber.  But, my absolute favorite is ZorbII diamond.  This stuff is insanely soft, easy to wash, and absorbs like crazy.  All his diapers have one internal soaker of this stuff and a two layer soaker that snaps in.  This is the perfect amount for him during the day.  Non of my diapers have a wicking layer, but I do have some microfleece rectangles cut out and on his changing table if I think he'll be in a diaper for longer than usual. 

Construction of my diapers is fairly basic.  I use PUL for the outsides and something soft and wicking against his skin.  I usually use minky or suedecloth.  I like the minky better, but it costs more.  I prefer non cased elastic on the legs as I find they leave less marks.  My diapers are currently half cased and half uncased.

 

Nighttime Diapering:  I've been using sposies for months at night.  I know, I know..... shamefull!!!  But, I have yet to find the perfect way to diaper him at night.  I've tried fitteds with covers, super absorbent layers in an AI2, and even 2 prefolds with a cover.  Now only did he have a massive cloth diaper bum that looks terribly uncomfortable, but I still had to change him in the night at least once or twice.  Now that he's older though I want to try again.  I'm thinking my basic diaper with maybe 4-5 layers of Zorb II.

Well... That's my stash.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Altering The Fattycakes Diaper Pattern To Be Front Snapping

My hubby hates side snap diapers but I love love love the fattycake as a cover. So I altered the wings to be front snapping. Here is a picture of the altered pattern.

It was pretty simple really. I added about 1/2" to the length of the wing then found the center point of the wing. Then I maked 3/4" from both sides of my center mark so the wings would be 1.5" wide at the ends. Then I just tapered down the top and bottom of the wings all the way to the end. It looks a bit funny... but it works great. I then just put a single row of snaps across the front and two snaps on the wings. (I added a second snap to the overnights pictured below after the photo was taken) Let me know if you have any questions!

More pics of finished diapers. These first two are overnights that I made with 4 layers of ZorbII. They are awesome!!

This one is a cover. Love it! I also think this would be great as an AI1. I'm going to try that soon.

LDD's & Altered Fattycakes - Plus A Review Of ZorbII

 

I finally received some ZorbII from a very sweet mamma over on the Diaper Sewing Divas Forum.  Wazoodle is the only company that makes it.  And, it's been out of stock forever!  Anyways... The boy has been needing some good fitting AI2's so I got started when my ZorbII arrived.  My favorite 2 patterns are the Fattycakes and the LDD's.  I've altered both to fit my little man.

LDD's.  My favorite daytime diaper that I don't have near enough of.  These are all Medium Longs... meaning that I added some length to the rise.  I also cut the pattern at a bit of an angle on the fold so the front would have a pinch more width.  LOVE LOVE LOVE these.  The fit is perfect, they don't leak, they are so easy to use, and hubby loves them too!  I will be making another 12 or so of these and then I'm planning on thinning out his current stash of diapers in favor or these.

The above two (lime green and the space one) are with the same pattern but I use FOE and made them AI1's.   They were so big on his thighs!  I'm hopping these will fit him when he is needing trainers.  I know they will fit eventually... but it's a bummer that they don't fit now because I love how easy they came together and how cute they are.

Fattycakes.  My hubby likes front snapping diapers best, so I altered the pattern to be a front snapper instead of a side snapper.  Both of these are for nighttime with a total of 4 layers or ZorbII.  After many uses I have yet to have any leaks.  One is made with 2 layers of fleece and the other is PUL & Suedecloth.  I prefer the PUL one and will make 2 more.  I did add another snap to the wings after this photo was taken.

My Cloth Diapering Experience

 I received a comment today on one of my diapering posts from way back. She asked about the fit of the diaper. It made me realize that I haven't really done a good diapering post since my son was born.

These first pictures are of my son during his first month. I tried to review each diaper that I made. It makes comparison easier for those of you trying to figure all this cloth diaper stuff out. I'm still figuring it out, but at least now I know what patterns I like and which fabrics I like. For now this post will just have the pictures. My next post will be a rundown of what I like and what I don't like. Click on each photo to enlarge because I've written about fit and feelings about each diaper on the photos.

VB NB Fitted made with jersey. I had 6 of these and loved them. He was about 8.5 lbs. here and 1 week old. The fit him until he was about a month old or so. I think I would have skipped these all together and made smalls instead with a cross over snap. The NB dipes were just grown out of to fast!

 

Very Baby fitted size small.  These fit until he was about 16 lbs.  Again... I would have made tons of these instead of the NB ones. 

Here is a medium Fattycake altered diaper.  He is 6 months old here and about 19 lbs.

Surprisingly this green Fattycake still fits him at 6 months and 19 lbs.  He won't for long though.

 

 More pics to come on the next post with things that he is wearing now and my overall review of everything!

Trimsies, Comfy Covers, Preemie PF's, & Sprout Snap Experiment

Been busy lately making a few more diapers and covers. First up are some comfy covers. I love love love how easy they are to make up. They are a great use for my misc. fleece chunks. I can't wait to try these on our new son when he arrives. 2 size nb and 3 size m. All have pul with polar fleece and cute diva made tags.
These are medium trimsies. This was a pattern that I finally broke down and bought. I've heard such wonderful things about this pattern and it's overall fit. I think I have a pattern addiction. I love the way these went together and I think they will be a daddy and grandma favorite. They all have PUL outers with cute flannel added to two of them. One has aplix closing (love this style) and the others have the snaps. I did an alteration to the soakers inside and made them all one piece that I sewed down in the front of the diaper. Insides are either flannel or birdseye or a mixture of both. I'm hoping these are as awesome as they look. I plan to make many more.
Here's a Sprout Snap Experiment. I made this one as a cover that I could tuck a prefold or flat into. I actually really like how it turned out. Next time I'll make the front interior flap part shorter. PUL & flannel outer with alova suede cloth inner with FOE.
Last are some preemie prefolds I made just in case. (my midwife thinks he will come between 34 and 37 weeks) I winged these and used measurements from prefold websites. I used birdseye for these. (I think it was called "diaper fabric" at JoAnnes. They are shown with a nb sposie, vb nb fitted, and preemie little starter? cover.

Trimsies Diaper....Very Ugly First Try

I've heard nothing but wonderful things about the Trimsies pattern. It's a very trim and absorbant diaper. And, you can use the pattern in a variety of ways. I really dont' NEED another pattern. (I think I'm addicted) I bought it anyways and yesterday I made up a quick sample diaper. It's soooo ugly!!

The diaper specs: PUL outer, Alove Suede Cloth inner, 3 layers recycled Flannel and 1 layer Alove Suede Cloth for the soaker. Aplix (velcro) closures and of course a super cute Diva Made tag in back.
Now, just because I think this diaper is ugly dosn't meen that I think the pattern itself sucks. I love love this pattern. It's super trim and easy to sew up. I just have to do a few things different next time. I will turn and top stitch the soaker. (my serger isn't serging very pretty) and I'll change the way I do the velcro on the front tabs.
I'm planning on making up a bunch of these in size Medium. I have tons of newborn dipes already.(this one is a small/newborn) I'm thinking that they will be really easy for dad, grandma, etc. Because they are All In One. No seperate anything to worry about. You just put it on the baby. I will also make some with the side snapping that is original to the pattern.
I can't wait to try all my dipes on our little man when he arrives. Then I can take lots of action shots and review all the patterns that I've made dipes from.