Cloth Diaper DIY

While there is a reason that many people enjoy using disposable diapers, there are also many advantages to using cloth diapers as well. Cloth diapers save a lot of money and they are a great project for anyone who loves to sew. They are also a great option for those who are environmentally conscious and are seeking to reduce their waste.

There are 5 different kinds of cloth diapers. These include prefold cloth diapers, fitted cloth diapers, pocket cloth diapers, all-in-one diapers, and hybrid cloth diapers. Prefold diapers are the simplest as you just fold up cloth, fasten it onto the baby, and then cover the diaper with a diaper cover. Fitted cloth diapers are slightly more sophisticated. They include elastic and if they are meant to fit all sizes, they have lots of buttons as well so that the diaper can be adjusted according to the baby’s size. Pocket diapers, all-in-one diapers, and hybrid diapers are a little more complicated, but with the help of our pattern booklets, you will be able to develop your cloth diaper-sewing skills.

To make your own diapers, you will need fabric, a sewing machine, needles, fabric scissors, thread that is either 100% cotton or 100% polyester, a seam ripper, a rotary mat, and rotary cutters. N. Jefferson Ltd. has a wide variety of sewing supplies, click here to see our entire selection.

In addition to buying new fabric, you can also use fabric from old clothing and linens that you have at home. Sweatshirts, cotton t-shirts, and flannel blankets are a few things that can be easily re-purposed into cloth diapers. At the same time, there is also something fun about using new fabric that has prints that are designed especially for babies.

Leopard print, polka dots, monkeys and owls, are just a few of the many prints that we have available for cloth diapers. These patterns are also great for making your own diaper bags or purses. In our inventory, you will find fabric prints that are great for baby boys and baby girls. We also offer diaper pins that come in the form of monkeys, owls, robots, butterflies, and flowers. If you are making fitted cloth diapers, you will find that we have a wide variety of elastics in a large range of colors and patterns. Our colorful variety of plastic resin snaps are perfect for a fitted cloth diaper project. Other useful products that you will find in our inventory are wicking fabric, soakers, and easy adjustable tabs. With our materials that are specifically made for cloth diapers, you can make really unique diapers for your baby.

In our collection of diaper patterns, you will find many different booklets for toilet trainers, pocket diapers, and simply soakers. With these useful patterns, you will be able to teach yourself how to make a variety of cloth diapers. We are a wholesale distributor that prides itself on having the best quality when it comes to sewing, knitting, and crafting materials and tools. From the fabric and the diaper pins to the patterns and elastic, we here at N. Jefferson Ltd. can really give you everything you need to make great cloth diapers.

To learn more about knitting, click here.

History of Knitting

While there are many opinions as to the exact historical date that knitting started, one thing that historians and researchers do agree on is that knitting evolved to what we know it to be today. The earliest kin to knitting which is considered to be defined as “formed on two sticks by pulling loops through loops”, is a technique called nålbinding.
 

The first definitive pieces of knitting are from Egypt, a pair of socks, believed to be created between 1000 – 1400 A.D. This find is followed by discoveries of knitting done by Muslims for Christian royalty in the 11^th Century, and by “Madonna” knitting examples seen in paintings in the 13^th and 14^th Centuries. It wasn’t until the 16^th Century that the purl technique was introduced.

During the 16^th Century, knitting became driven by fashion and was more easily historically traced. Royal families, specifically the women in royal families, were drawn to the silk stockings that could be produced using the purl stitch. The men were also attracted to these form fitting socks which could be warn under their short pants. One of the most recognized pieces collected from this time are a pair of Queen Elizabeth’s stockings. The craft of knitting in the 16^th Century changed from being a menial servant’s job to a more respected craft for refined ladies.

The 17^th and 18^th Centuries saw adaptions out of Scotland and now men were seen to take up the craft. Sweaters, gloves, socks, scarves and accessories for the home were now being produced and sold. Knitting moved from being a hobby and luxury to royalty to a livelihood for the Scots. In the US, revolutionary war knitter, Mrs. Elliot, knit the date “1776” into socks that she made for soldiers. And there was also controversy, as laws were passed in the Channel Islands, forbidding knitting during the seaweed harvest.

Moving into the 19^th Century, more advanced and intricate techniques continued to be created and introduced. Cable knitting gained popularity as did new types of patterns and colors of yarns. In 1842, Cornelia Mee published Manual of Knitting, Netting and Crochet and in 1860 Peterson’s Magazine featured a pattern for a “knitting apron”. Knitting parties were also popular during this time and they were often called “Frolic” or “Knitting Bees”.

 In 1922, The Prince of Wales started a new fashion trend by wearing a “Fair Isle” sweater on the St. Andrew’s golf course. And During the 20^th Century, The Shetland Hand Knitters Association, was also formed to set quality standards and lobby to set realistic prices in 1943.

Knitting in the 21^st Century until today continues to be widely available as both a hobby and source of business for everyone. Wide selections of yarn and other media are being used, many types of needles are readily available and the craft has even received media attention as knitting takes to the fashion runways.

Where will knitting take a place in your history?

Learn more about N. Jefferson Ltd and our wholesale knitting notions and supplies. Visit our website at http://www.njeffersonltd.com or give us a call at 604.873.4641 or 1.800.663.6142.