**If you would like to sell soakers you make from the pattern, I don't mind you selling them. All I ask is that you offer up one to a momma in need FFS (free for shipping) or donate it to Miracle Diapers, Lend a Hand Diapers, or a similar organization. If you don't intend to sell them for your WAHM business, I don't mind you selling the soakers you made for your little one that didn't fit so that you can recoup your money for materials and time.**
Have fun sewing!
Skirtie Pattern Compliments of Staceyroo77 on DiaperSwappers!
Original Soaker Pattern
Newer Soaker Pattern
Soaker pattern for fleece
XL-XXXL Patterns
Extra layer for the wetzone
Extra layer for the wetzone for xxl and xxxl
Instructions
I am a novice at pattern making, so please excuse any errors in pattern markings. This is designed for a 1/4 inch seam allowance, but if you would be more comfortable sewing with a 1/2 inch seam allowance, just add an extra 1/4 inch to the pattern. It goes from newborn to Xlarge. Here are some of the ones that I have made for my daughter. The first three are made from recycled wood sweaters, and the others are made from wool interlock that I dyed.
If you are using a rather stretchy wool, I suggest using the waistband that's at least one size smaller.
71 comments:
I just copied out your pattern from the diapersewing group actually, then found this!
Does the pattern piece have the seam allowance accounted for, or do I cut them 1/4" bigger?
It has a 1/4" seam allowance.
I can't get the PDF to download. Is it gone?
Nevermind, my error. Thank you for posting this!
This is awesome! Do you felt your sweaters before making the soaker?
I get my sweaters at Goodwill, and most of the time someone has already felted them (probably by accident). If they are pretty thick already, I don't felt them.
I just found your pattern as I was Googling for a friend. Thanks so much for posting this, and sharing with us! I've got plenty of wool fabrics, but haven't ever been brave enough to try making them into anything. Time to warm up my serger . . . Thank you!
Thanks so much for the pattern. I will be sewing all day!!
Thanks so much for posting the pattern... I found the link on diaperpin. Your soakers are so cute! If you are using wool interlock fabric what (not recycled sweaters) how do you make the waistband and leg cuffs? Also where did you find your wool interlock? Is wool jersey the same as interlock?
I can't wait to sew up some soakers! Thank you so much for this awesome pattern! I heard about you on diaperswappers.com we love you there! =)
Lisa,
I cut the waistband and leg cuffs from wool interlock the same way I do with fleece. I make sure the stretch is going from side to side so that the waistband and legs are nice and stretchy.
I don't think wool jersey is the same as interlock. I have never worked with it, but from what I've read it's thinner than interlock.
Great pattern! Is this one free to sell from?
this may be a dumb question, but fleece doesn't have to be hemmed b/c it doesn't unravel. How does wool interlock work? Do you have to hem it?
decemberjasmine,
I don't mind you selling soakers made from the pattern as long as you don't mind giving one away to a mom in need.
mary beth,
Wool interlock doesn't unravel a great deal if it's felted. I usually run a zig zag stitch on the raw edges just to make sure if I'm not using my serger.
Thank you so much for sharing this pattern Katrina :D
I've whipped up 4 much needed soakers for Ayla, and they are the PERFECT fit!
If there is anything I can do in return for your kindness in sharing the pattern, please let me know :D
Bel
Thanks so much for posting this! I've been knitting soakers, but those take me a week each, and I made five from your pattern yesterday morning out of one sweater! Now I'm stocked for soakers and can use my yarn and knitting time for other stuff (like gifts for all the babies coming up!) :) Much appreciated.
I am really excited to sew some soakers. With Triplets it gets expensive having to buy covers. Thank you!
Hi!
I was curious if you had a weight scale for the sizes of the pattern???
I have been making diapers and covers for friends in need and it is hard to get the fit right when I cant try it on their kids :)
Thanks so much for this pattern.
xo
g
So cute!
Ginny, I can only tell you how they fit my kiddos. My 24 lb toddler wears a medium long. My 12 lb 7 week old wears a small. My babies tend to start out chunky, but get long and lean.
Nappy nanny, you can choose whatever organization or individual you would like to donate one to. However, two very good places are Miracle Diapers (http://www.miraclediapers.org/) and Lend a Hand Diapers (http://www.lendahanddiapers.org/).
Thanks so much for this pattern! I've been too intimidated to sew my own pocket or AIO diaps, but this was super easy! I can't wait to sew more. I used left over fleece I've had for years and my simple sewing machine with a zig-zag stitch and voila! Super cute!
My computer does not allow the download, would there be a chance to get it via email?
Sure, I can email you the patterns. I just need your email address. :)
So, looking at the last page of the pattern, on the left piece it gives dimensions of soakers and on the right piece it gives different dimensions of soakers? What are these for exactly? Thanks!!
DIYMomma,
The soaker dimensions on the first page should be accurate. I forgot to change them on the second page. I fixed it and added a preemie size on the patterns for fleece.
Can anyone tell me how well fleece soakers perform? All I've heard of use wool but I like the idea of using fleece - so soft on the skin...
sandylaine,
Fleece works like wool, except it's a synthetic fabric. It will need washing more often because it doesn't have the natural antibacterial properties of wool. It also doesn't need to be hand washed or lanolized like wool.
Thank you so much for posting your pattern! I can't wait to get started sewing up these soakers.
This looks like so much fun. I just bought 4 wool sweaters at Goodwill and can't wait to get them out of the dryer. I also have a yard of off white wool flannel. Can that be used for these, too? Do I need to felt it? Or lanolize it?
Lynne,
The wool flannel won't be stretchy enough for a soaker. It might make a nice pair of pants, though, or a wrap. I would lanolize any wool used for cloth diapering. It helps make it more moisture resistant and soft, too. I would use Rita's Rump Cover pattern for making a wool wrap. bloghttp://handmadebyrita.blogspot.com/2007/10/httpwww.html
Hi! I had made a fleece soaker for my NB a few months ago with the extra layer- I don't see the pattern for the extra soaker layer now? Is there a way to still get it? My nephew is a super soaker at night and I was making some to see if it helped. Thanks Brandy
Thank you for posting this! I googled searched patterns and thought I'd spend forever sorting through websites for free ones and found yours right away! Can't wait to sew it this afternoon! THANKS so much! *hugs* :)
Thank you so much for the patterns - can't wait to try them out. Question - I have an old cashmere sweater - can I use that?
brosia13,
If it's thin, you might want to double the body layers, but yes, you can use it.
Thanks so much for this pattern. I just made my first one and I LOVE IT! It was super easy to make and I am a novice sewer. Thanks again!
Im BRAND NEW to CDing and reading things online and from friends. Im a sewer so I want to make some and these look like great and super easy patterns! Im only confused, isnt a "soaker" on the inside of diapers and made for soaking up the pee?? Isnt your pattern for covers???? Im so confused!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!
NicBurk,
Soaker is the term used for both the absorbant center of a cloth diaper and for a pull on wool or fleece diaper cover.
Thank you so much for posting this. I am working out an idea in my head for making wool training undies using the XL through XXXL patterns, and a snap in body layer that snaps in on both sides. Do you have a problem with me selling them on my etsy store? I will be testing them first on my own child.
I don't mind you selling them. I added that information to the blog. :)
Just an FYI for downloaders and the poster alike:
freewebs.com is on the blacklist of many anti-spyware / anti-malware software products. The PDFs in this post are hosted on freewebs.com. While the site itself is not bad, it has been frequently used by those with malicious intent.
To fix the issue you may have to update your browser's settings to remove freewebs.com from the list of restricted sites before you will be able to access the files.
Thank you sooooo much for this pattern. I've been having loads of fun so far. I do have a question though. What is the difference between the original pattern and the "new" pattern?
thanks so much for this!!
Question:
Can I use soft and thin merino wool sweaters - I just found a few at value village!
Do I felt them or double them up?
I am afraid they will shrink too much to use...
Thanks!
thanks so much for this!!
Question:
Can I use soft and thin merino wool sweaters - I just found a few at value village!
Do I felt them or double them up?
I am afraid they will shrink too much to use...
Thanks!
Megan, as I revised the pattern, I made it dip in the front and gave it a bit more in the rise in the back. I also added more width on the pattern.
Anna, I would do either. Sometimes the thinner wool sweaters don't felt much. In that case you would need to double it anyway. I tried felting the merino wool sweater I used, but it didn't shrink or get thicker. Next time I will just double my layers.
I am getting ready to make my first wool diaper covers and was so excited to find your wonderful pattern and instructions! Thank you so much!
Thank you for posting this.
Just wondering what type of wool - wool interlock is because when I went to the store they said that they have wool crepe and wool suiting but no wool interlock. When I indicate to them the use they always give me a dirty look and indicate that wool shouldn't be used for that.
How did you get those beautiful colours ....from what I see they only come in dark colours or plain coloured. Did you dye them your self and if so by what method did you use. Kool aid, or vegetable?
I just sewed up your pattern today. I am a pretty novice seamstress and this went together quickly and easily. Thank you!
Just wanted to say THANKS, I am printing out the pattern right now. I've had some wool sweaters I've been meaning to make into soakers for some time. Hopefully I'll finally get it done! =)
What I hope to do is make one that is double layer, fully reversible. Have you ever heard of anyone doing this starting with your pattern?
My MIL made our son some fully reversible wool shorties a while back and I loved them!
Thank you for this pattern, I'm preparing a cloth nappy pack for friends about to have a baby (as well as updating my baby nappies for my own babe due in 3 weeks). This pattern could not have come at a better time.
Thanks SO much for sharing!
Thanks so much for posting. I've been looking for an easy pattern and this looks like it! Any suggestions or advice for fleece or will the stuff from joann's fabric work?
What size would you suggest I make if I'm making fleece overnight bedwetter pants for a size 4T? I'll be putting several layers of fleece in the wet zone, as well as a soaking material such as a prefold.
Thanks!
Michelle,
I used food coloring and/or Kool-aid for dying my wool.
Wool interlock is a type of knitted wool fabric. I get mine here: http://www.naturesfabrics.com/
Cyndy, I would take measurements to see which size (XL - XXXL) would work best for a child that wears a 4T.
ByLuLu, I love the anti pill fleece from Joann's for my soakers. It has plenty of stretch and looks good after several washes.
Amanda, that sounds like a great idea! I've seen a reversable soaker before, but not from my pattern. I have never attempted to make one.
Thank you so much for this! I've just ordered some wool interlock and will be trying over the weekend to make a soaker for my daughter using your pattern.
Great pattern! Has anyone tried combining wool for the main body and fleece for the cuffs & waist? I'm trying to figure out how to get the most out of a felted sweater I have. Thanks!
Hi I hope this doesnt sound too lame but i am a complete novice to making soakers...can you tell me what i would need to make them. I have fleece i bought in walmart & a sewing machine....oh and i also bought yarn, can i sew wool shorties, soakers, or longies from it.
Click on Instructions above for sewing instructions. And don't worry, we all have to start somewhere. :) Since Walmart fleece isn't necessarily very stretchy, you might want to size up when you make your soaker.
You use your yarn to knit or crochet a soaker.
I am FINALLY getting around to trying your pattern after hearing all the raves for the last 2 years! (Thanks in advance, by the way!)
I don't have a sergers, just a 1950's Kenmore machine....Do you reccomend a "stretch stich" or zig zag stitch to get the needed stretch when sewing the leg cuffs and waist bands on? I am thinking that a regular straight stitch would be a problem for pulling the soaker off and on??
Thanks for sharing. My friend and I just spent too much money buying fleece for our LO's :)
I love your soaker pattern. Thank you so much for it! I just finished making my new little baby an adorable soaker :)
Just wanted to say thankyou so much! I have been knitting longies which take months! It is the first pattern I have ever followed on my sewing machine and in 2 days I have made 2 longies and 2 soakers! I've had so many comments on the longies and feel very proud! Many thanks again!
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