Making My Own Diapers !!! ... with a little help from Babyville Boutique

Before I got pregnant earlier this year my sewing machine just sat in the closet and collected dust.  I used it for a project or two, but nothing extravagant or anything.  I think I lined some curtains I had and then re-vamped a bedding set my friend had.  That's about it.  Then I got pregnant and I realized that I didn't like a fabric on the bedding set I wanted so I sewed over that, then I needed curtains so I sewed those, and then I got into cloth diapering so I started sewing some prefolds, and it all snowballed from there.  I was addicted to my sewing machine.  Sewing my own cloth diapers had been on my list from the beginning, but I really had no idea where to start and nobody around me to show me how to get started.

Enter Babyville Boutique ...

It was like Christmas in August the day I heard that Babyville Boutique was coming out with a line that would have all the cloth diaper making supplies that I needed and the books to help guide me to make them.  They have cute PUL fabrics, snap pliers, snaps, fold over elastic, hook and loop rolls, decorative appliques & labels, super cute buttons, and books with all the directions you need to get started on making your own cloth diapers and accessories.  This is exactly what I needed to get started ! ! !  Now all I had to do was wait till September.  Arh!  I'm not good at waiting.  Finally in September our local Joann's store got the Babyville Boutique products in.  I'll admit, it took me awhile to get in there since Joann's is clear across town but I finally got in there and was so excited to see the display.  I bought one of their three packs of PUL coordinates, the snap pliers, one package of snaps, and a package of their EZ Adjust Tape.  I was totally bummed that they didn't have the books in but I went back a week later and was able to get the "Cloth Diapers Made Easy" book, as well as some Fold Over Elastic.  I was ready to roll!!!!

I'm sure you can guess what I was doing later that night.  Oh yes, I was reading my "Cloth Diapers Made Easy" book.  Just looking at all the pictures got me excited enough, but I loved how in detail the book was written and all the helpful photos that showed how to make each diaper step by step.  I could totally do this!!!  The next day I attempted my first diaper.  I started out with the "Diaper Cover with Fold Over Elastic (FOE)".  I wanted to make newborn diapers though and I don't really like the idea of using a cover that doesn't have interior gussets so I added in the advanced technique of adding gussets to my cover on the first try.  My first gusset was a failure.  I didn't pull the FOE correctly and it wasn't stretchy like it should be.  I chucked the first one and started over.  My next try was a success as well as the entire diaper!  I still can't believe how great  my first diaper came out.  It totally looks like something I would buy!

I was so excited at how great my first diaper looked that I instantly started working on my second diaper the same day.  This time I attempted the "Pocket Diaper with FOE" using a butter suede cloth for the interior lining and adding gussets like the first diaper.  This was a little trickier, but a total success!!!!  Another awesomely cute diaper to add to my stash.  Ok, I did make one mistake and added one of my EZ Adjust Tape laundry tabs to the wrong location, but it didn't affect the use of the diaper.  I just sewed over it instead of removing it since I didn't want to add more holes to my PUL fabric.

The next day I was at it again.  This time I was going to attempt the "Hidden PUL Turned and Topstitched Pocket Diaper".  I'll admit.  I bombed this one totally.  I didn't get the pocket opening correct and the elastic in the legs was not tight enough.  I think this was part my fault and part the book's fault.  I didn't follow the directions to the T, but then again I still think I would have made a mistake even if I did.  The directions on this particular  diaper were not quite as clear, but I'm sure if I read them all the way through before I started then the pocket opening would have turned out better.  I'm not sure about the elastic though.  I think the designated quantity is just too much.  Overall this diaper is still really cute ... just not sure if it will be usable.  I'll give this one a try again later.

The next day I attempted my fourth diaper from the book.  This time I attempted the "Fitted Prefold Diaper".  This diaper was also a turned and topstitched diaper like my last one and utilized the braided elastic in the legs and back instead of the FOE.  I read the directions carefully this time and decreased the length on the braided elastic from 5" to 4" in the legs.  I also decreased the length on the back elastic, but didn't measure it.  It was a success!!!  This was also my first diaper with snaps too.  I wish the snap pliers would open a bit further, but then again I've never used snap pliers before.  The little rubber thing fell off a couple times too, but it wasn't a big deal and was easy to stick back on.  I was surprised at how easy it was to put the snaps on.  It didn't hurt my hands at all and I only messed up one snap that I had to pry off (totally my fault).  I LOVE my cute little prefold fitted diaper!!!  I also altered this diaper to have a pocket so that it would clean easier and dry faster. If I would have thought about it before hand I would have put on the snaps differently so that I could have used a full insert inside of it.  I'll do that next time.

My last project was an insert.  I just did a standard insert using three layers of microfiber with a layer of suede on top.  I figure I can use it as an insert with the microfiber up, or a doubler with the suede side up depending on the diaper I'm using it in.  I turned and top stitched the insert since I don't have a serger and it was very easy.

So that's as far as I've gotten on my diaper making quest.  I plan on trying all the designs in the book and making lots of cute little diapers for my little guy.  I really want to try an AIO, AI2, and a OS diaper.  I also want to try out some of those cute applique's and labels.  I'll pick them up the next time I'm at Joann's as well as some more PUL.  I do have some leftover PUL from my other projects, but not enough for a diaper.  I think I'll get the other book "Baby Essentials Made Easy", and try a wet bag.  You can bet I'll be sewing up a storm of new diapers and accessories, and when I do you will all be the first to know how they came out.

All I can say is I LOVE the Babyville Boutique line and how much it's helped me to create my own diaper creations.  I don't know that I ever would have attempted such a big project without their easy to use guide and conveniently available products.  I also can't wait for their website to be fully functional.  They're going to have tutorials on how to make other diapers on there as well as a whole community of other diaper crafters that you can talk to.  For now I like to check in on the Babyville Boutique Facebook page where a lot of information is passed around.  For those of you that have or will be trying the Babyville Boutique products, please let me know what you think and any tips you've gained along the way.  Feel free to post pics on my Facebook page too.  I'd love to see them.  Till then keep tuning in for more great products, information, tutorials, reviews, and giveaways.  I've got lots planned as I continue on with my Adventures In Fluff... and other mommy stuff.


If you want to purchase items from the Babyville Boutique line you can check out your local Joann's, Hancock Fabrics, or Hobby Lobby.  For ease of shopping you can also purchase items online at several online retailers such as Amazon or Fabric.com.


**This review is comprised of my own opinions and was not influenced by any outside source.  The products were purchased by myself and were not given to me or asked to be reviewed by any outside source.  No advertising was purchased in order to feature this product. **