Manda-Panda Diapers!

Now Selling Diapers

2010-01-21T19:51:00.000-08:00

I have made too many diapers! I get a little crazy sometimes when I make diapers and end up with too many. So, I have decided I will sell them for $10 each NEW. Interested? Leave me a comment and I will get back to you within a week (I don't have internet at home). I will soon post more pictures of the diapers I have available. Thanks!

Small Pocket Diapers

2009-03-03T09:20:00.000-08:00

Here are some new pocket diapers I have made for baby. They are PUL outside with suedecloth liner and a combo of inserts made of terrycloth and/or microfiber. The polka-dot (my favorite) is a 100% polyester fabric (so it doesn't wick) on the outside of the PUL fabric. I'll be making some red paisley ones too!

The Meanest Mom

2009-03-01T18:01:00.000-08:00

OK, I just found the best blog! Daily I am called the meanest mom by my children and I always tell them that that is my job-- to be the meanest. I also tell them that if I didn't love them, I wouldn't be so mean. So here is a link to a great blog about being the meanest mom! They have a great giveaway this month too!

Crocheted Wool Cover

2009-02-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

OK, I crocheted this cover following a Thirstie XS PUL cover. It even has gussets (not shown in photos). I used FOE around edges. My baby is about 12lbs here. I didn't use it for a while since I hadn't lanolinized it. I finally decided I needed to try it or sell it. I LOVE it! I am now kicking myself for not trying it sooner! There are many reasons to use wool as a cover. Most people think of wool as itchy-- But we only use the softest wool for babies and lanolin is what keeps it soft and leak proof. Wool also absorbs up to 40% of it's weight in liquid before feeling damp-- so it's perfect for heavy wetters! You usually don't wash it in the washer - but by hand with a special wool wash-- Don't use Woolite as that removes the lanolin.

Here is some info I retrived off of this web site:

Wool allows your baby's skin to breathe, is warm in the winter, cool in the summer, antimicrobial, and doesn't retain odors. Wool comes from a renewable resource (sheep!) and needs to be washed only every 2 weeks or when soiled.

Wool is so easy to care for. It should be washed every one to two weeks, or when soiled. To keep it leak proof, wool should be lanolized about once a month.

Lanolizing: Submerge the cover in a sink full of lukewarm water with the inside facing up. Take 1/2 teaspoon of lanolin, 1 teaspoon of your favorite baby soap, and place both in 1/2-1 cup of water and microwave until the lanolin is runny (30-90 seconds). Now shake the mixture until it becomes a milky white color. If there are still visible globs of lanolin in the mixture, add more baby soap and shake again until the lanolin is completely emulsified and the mixture is milky white. Pour over your cover. Swish the cover around in the water, let it soak for 20-30 minutes, roll in towel to dry, squeeze out excess moisture, but do not rinse. Hang or lay flat until dry.The inside of the cover will be sticky to the touch for the first day or so.How much lanolin you add depends on how long you want to go before relanolizing. The more lanolin you add (up to 1 1/2 teaspoons), the more sticky the cover will be, but the longer it will repel liquids.

Stroller give away!

2009-01-25T17:30:00.000-08:00

Check this out for an awesome Bumbleride stroller give away!
http://inevergrewup.net/giveaway-25-bumbleride-indie-stroller/

Diaper Bag Necessities... Cloth Diapering made easy while away from home

2009-01-08T07:44:00.000-08:00

There are a few necessities to have in your diaper bag while on the go with a baby with cloth diapers.

First off, you need a dirty duds bag-- you know something to put the soiled diapers into so not to get everything else in the bag all yucky. Just throw it in the wash with the diapers (empty it out first!). I figure this sized bag will hold 5 or so newborn diapers or 3 lg ones.

approx size: 9 in x 15 in

Second part is a nice changing mat. I wanted something that was washable and would absorb messes-- we all know little ones are known for making messes with a diaper off! So, here I made one with soft comfy fleece and PUL fabric. I added a strap to help fold/roll it up and keep it that way. Having a couple on hand is helpful-- always a back up one while the other is in the wash (when soiled just throw it in the wash with the diapers.)

approx. size: 15" x 30"

Here are the other items I use in a diaper bag-- bottle to hold wipes solution, dry wipes (I wet wipes as I use them-- that way wipes never go moldy), and natural diaper ointment. Regular Diaper Ointments aren't good for cloth diapers as they cause repelling which leads to leaks and may stain them also. For wipes I use squares of flannel fabric or Terry Cloth fabric with the edges serged. For wipes solution I use a peri bottle with water and a little baby bath liquid.

I keep all of this in one of those little insulated bags for storing breast milk they give you for free in the hospital after having a baby.

PUL Diaper Cover

2009-01-08T07:11:00.000-08:00

This is a multi-sized (S/M) diaper cover with Gussets, Aplix (like Velcro) waist closure with cross over tabs and fold back laundry tabs and an adjustable rise (with snaps). I was too lazy when sewing on the FOE (Fold Over Elastic) and didn't change the thread color. I am pretty happy with how well this cover works. My baby is still in an XS size moving up to the S so the cross over tabs was a must for us to be able to use this allready.

I LOVE MY NEWBORN DIAPERS!

2008-11-26T15:42:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures of my newborn diapers in action! This is on a baby that was born @ 7lb 2 oz. They are very absorbant! It takes 2 dryer cycles and still need a little more dry time (I just hang them up for a bit-- like over night). I used prowrap covers (6lbs+) for the first 10 days then I had wet leaks so I switched to the Thirsty covers (ex-small).
The pictures aren't the best since I was only using a small lamp to light the room.

Last of the newborn diapers in progress

2008-11-10T06:48:00.000-08:00

Pink/gray and pink/white inside out-- ready for sewing and elastic.

These turquoise ones just need snaps now!

Diapers in Progress...

2008-10-21T12:41:00.000-07:00

The count down is on! I have less then 1 month left and soooo much to get done! Here are some recent photos of diapers.

Here I have my pattern laid out for a small size fitted diaper. Fabric: Sherpa

It takes 64" of pre-shrunk Sherpa to make 7 diapers (includes 2 layers for internal soaker).

Second picture is of it all cut out (7 diapers worth).

Recent Diapers

2008-09-10T15:17:00.001-07:00

OK, So I have been busy making diapers. Last week I spent the whole week cutting out diaper layers and serging the internal soakers (2 layers cotton terry fabric). This really is the most boring and time consuming part. I got about 20 diapers ready to sew last week. So this week I went to sew on my machine and I think it finally died- the sewing machine. It is pretty old where the motor is on the outside and it uses a belt from the motor to the turn wheel that makes the needle go up and down. I was given this machine as a teen from one of my mom's good friends. This machine has been a good friend to me but nothing lasts forever. I'm not sure it'll be worth fixing. So, now in the mean time, I go to my mom's to sew. I have to be pretty organized before going. It's not like I can sew during nap time any more or even go and sew for a few spare minutes like before. But THANK goodness mom lives around the corner! I don't know how I would get my diapers done with out her machine! Now, I'll start looking into a new machine. I know I would love one that is WAY out of our price range (well, to be honest, any machine right now is out of price range-- didn't expect this extra expense). I think I'll get one that is cheap and basic right now (with in the next 6 months) and then save for my dream machine. I can pass down the basic one to my girls. Anyhow, here is what is done as of Monday.
Here they are piled up. They are made with a combo of velour and stretch cotton terry. I was having issues with lighting-- with out the flash was a bit to dark and with the flash was too bright. Sorry!

So, with these diapers I now have 19 newborn diapers. I am planning on having 36+ newborn. I have many more cut out ready to be sewn but don't know exact numbers.

Oh, I decided that I like to double up the lastin elastic. It seems to be stretchier that way. So some of them are doubled up and some are not-- not a huge deal I wouldn't think. Lastin is clear elastic you often see on swimsuits and lasts forever-- if the material is heavy you sometimes have to double it up.

Cotton Velour Newborn Diapers

2008-09-01T18:37:00.000-07:00

So I have a goal of making 6 diapers a week. Here is what I made last week-- Yes I know it is only 4 diapers but I came down with a nasty cold and didn't quite make my goal.

These diapers are made with very soft cotton velour that has a nice little stretch to it. I used the same pattern as with previous newborn diapers I made recently-- I just have the seams on the inside of these. The pink one is velour on the inside and a soft stretch terry (pink) on the outside. For those who are looking very closely, I am experimenting on the placement of the snaps so they are not all the same snap-wise. The sewn in soaker is 100% cotton terry fabric-- double layered. For newborns, it really isn't necessary for them to be really absorbent since you change them so frequently. The biggest issue is to keep the poops in. That is one of the nice things about cloth diapers-- they don't leak poops as much as disposables!

These are considered "fitteds" and will need a diaper cover. They will fit approx 5-12 lbs (which is just about 2 weeks for my babies!). Total softness- wish you could feel them for yourself!

Fun Blog

2008-08-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

My cousin has started a fun blog that will have instructions on making cute items! She makes fun onesies! Check it out! The link in located under my profile!

Diapers

2008-08-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

So I finally got around to making more diapers! I've been too tired to do much since I'm pregnant again. Since the baby will be here in about 3 months I really need to get going on the newborn ones! Here are my first fitteds I've made. They both look very much the same but there are subtle differences. They are also my first diapers that I've applied snaps--LOVE IT!

Since I don't have a real baby to model them I used my daughters' baby dolls.

Here are some pockets I made also. My toddler son is getting close to potty training but not close enough! I found that I needed more diapers since he likes to have them changed more often now (like as soon as he has wet it). These are Mediums and I've added size tags for the first time. He could really use a Large size but these were all ready cut out-- just not sewn together yet so I started with these. Pictured are diapers with Red PUL and white or Black suede cloth. Very soft on the bum! I especially like the black inner since it hides stains really well!

FYI - I tried switching laundry detergents for my diapers and am VERY disappointed. I tried Country Save-- yuck, yuck, yuck! I like tide regular or Purex free/clear better by far! I do have to strip my diapers every 1-2 months on these detergents though....

Little blankies!

2008-08-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

I made some more little blankies. I gave my first one away to my good friend Kristin in UT. She requested 2 for her new nieces. Once again silky on the one side, ultra-soft on the other side.

Diaper Pail Liners

2008-03-20T13:39:00.000-07:00

Here is the diaper pail liners I made for my diaper pails. I used red PUL fabric and serged the seams. They are great! Since they are made with the same fabric as pocket diapers, all I have to do on wash day is pull them out, dump the diapers in the wash and throw them in the wash too! No more sanitizing the pails! I have 2 pails-- one for wet diapers and one I keep where I rinse out the "poopy" ones.

This pail is about 14" tall- not including the lid- and about 10" across.

This pail is slightly larger measuring about 17" tall ( again not including lid) and is 14" oval.
Here is a picture of the insides of the liners.
Here is a closer up picture of the liner. You may be able to see how I "squared" off the bottom so it can "stand" in the pail.

This picture is off the liner turned right side out.

Close up of serged upper edge.

More diaper and baby items made

2008-03-17T16:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a little blankie-- great for carrying around as a "special" blanket but too small for a cover me up blanket. The one side is silky and the other is super soft fuzzy fleece.

Another "cars" diaper. This time I used white suede cloth for the inner. It wicks mosture away from the skin onto the hidden inner stuffin ( I stuff with microfiber towel). This one turned out better-- as I like how I did the elastic in the back better on this one. The last picture is a bit fuzzy-- sorry about that.

Stay tuned.... I have made diaper pail liners and little "wet" bags for the diaper bag to put the soiled diapers into. I will take pictures soon of these items and post them.

My first Pocket Diaper I made!

2008-02-23T09:03:00.000-08:00

Ok, here is a cloth diaper I made. It is made with PUL "Cars" fabric on the outside and soft black micro-fleece inside. It is a pocket diaper and I stuff it with a microfiber towel folded in thirds. It is a size medium so it should fit babies from about 16 lbs -27+? My son who is modeling it is 25/26 lbs and almost 2 years old. It features fold over laundry tabs so the aplix doesn't stick to things in the wash, and roll out leg gathers-- this does not wick and does not leave red marks on legs! It is a pocket so I can customize the absorbancy-- add more for night time! The fleece acts as a stay dry liner and won't stain!