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Thursday, April 12, 2012

Nappy Mending

The last two weeks I have been finishing off my pre-baby-arrival tasks.  One of those was to re-elasticate about three-quarters of our one-size-fits-all nappies which were definitely not going to fit a young baby at all.  In fact the elastic had given way so badly that they didn't really fit Ginger very well either.

I have actually had this on my to-do list for a long time as about Ginger's first birthday many nappies started to give way, but as with most tasks which I am not sure how I will go about doing, I put it off indefinitely.  Anyway, a new baby is a good motivator to finally tackle those jobs.

It actually turned out to be pretty easy.  However, so that you avoid an entire evening of frustration and countless wasted hours of unpicking - I give you my top tip up front.  You want good strong elastic and good strong thread.  I was trying to use up elastic from my stash, most of which was handed down from my Nanna.  So, some elastic was obviously older than others.  All the nappies done with one batch had to be unpicked and redone - consquently, I am adament that you make sure you have good elastic.  I also ended up using quilting thread which is just that much stronger, normal (admittedly cheap) thread kept breaking when I pulled the elastic taut.

Anyway, I took a few pictures along the way so thought I would share my method.






First, I used a quick unpick to score a small entry and exit point at each end of the existing elastic casing.  There is no need to remove the perished elastic, just insert your fresh piece.  I secured mine at one end with a safety pin.  I pulled taut and then sewed with a wide zig-zag stitch, back stitching at start and end for security.  Repeat for the other side.  I then trimmed the elastic even with the entry and exit points and covered the snipped area with a tangential small zig-zag stitch.

A whole basket of re-elasticated nappies!


Ah, that makes an expectant mother happy.

12 comments:

  1. Wow! The nappies looks grand! How much longer until the baby arrives? I've lost track!

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  2. You did a great job! I have been dreading having to do that task...but so far they are holding together well! I saw in an email that baby beehinds have a huge sale on at the moment. I hope you are resting up and feeling ok!xx

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    1. Thanks Jode. I actually just did an order for newborn nappies through Snappies which is also having a sale (and only cost $10 a nappy!)

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  3. These nappies look fantastic!! I used cloth nappies (old style, these modern one weren't around yet) & made my own wipes too, & liners. My 4 never ever had nappy rash & those big cloth nappies looked so cute on their bottoms running around Darwin (at home).
    Quick tip on knickers for little girls with tiny bottoms - my girls were all in knickers full time by 18 months & very lithe so i found BOYS underpants were fantastic!! They have thicker elastic & just sit lower, perfect for tiny bottoms & they last (on the issue of elastic) so much longer too. Give the small size 2 for boys a go, i remember Pumpkin Patch making fantastic ones, worth the little extra cash, in the 5 packs. So she might be in cowboy pants not girlie ones, but hey, they work!! Love Posie

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    1. My kids LOVE there homemade undies - That Darn Cat pattern from Etsy. I bought the pattern and past it on to Granny to make. THe prefer these over any other underpant in their draws.

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  4. Love this thrifty project. The fact that you mend things rather than automatically getting something new reminds me to do the same. Not diapers, yet, naturally :).

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  5. Well done you:)

    Love cloth nappies and these ones were my go to (I ended up selling them when we were in Darwin and Wagga but couldnt do it in QLD:(

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  6. That must be a good feeling get that job ticked off the list and they're nice and ready for the bub to arrive. Great job fixing them up.

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  7. Thanks for this tip, I have some that need elastic re done but keep putting it off as "too hard", quite funny seeing as I have ade most of the nappies for my boys myself.

    My put this done for a job for the weekend.

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  8. Thank you for the post. We're starting to use our BBHs less and less with our toddler, but we'd like to have another baby one day so I'll file this away for when the time comes. I'm not much for sewing, so I'll probably get my Dad to do it for me!

    Cheers,
    Greg.

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