I’ve recently created a useful one-size diaper pattern that can be sewn by just about anyone with basic sewing machine capabilities (that would be me.), and it occurred to me to talk about some of the issues I see with a lot of one-size diapers I’ve seen sold around the internet, and why they are best left to people who can buy them already made, not for those of us who have to be thrifty and sew our own.

One of the first things you see when you look up “One size cloth diapers” is that most, if not all, of them have some sort of snap system that makes them larger or smaller. The snaps themselves do not cost a whole lot, but when you consider how many pieces have to be put on, you end up with a lot of snaps on one diaper, and that can begin to consume a lot of your diaper-making time, not to mention a little more money for each extra set of snap parts that goes on the diaper. All in all, they are the biggest reason that I stay away from those diapers, because it’s a lot of effort, which translates to time and money, particularly if you are buying/selling. You want to get your money’s worth if you are buying, and you want to get your wages if you are selling, which bumps up the cost considerably. If you are willing to pay for this work to be done, that’s great, but if you’re like me, you think “there must be a cheaper/easier/better way.”

Second, I think that many of these diapers have an option of velcro OR snap closures for the actual flaps (the part that keeps the diaper together!), and if you like a certain diaper, but it only has the one choice, that can be a bummer. You could always ask if they have the other, but chances are, if it’s not on the site, you can’t get it. I like velcro, because it’s quick and much more adjustable, and you don’t end up with lots of snaps that could break. Velcro can be replaced by anyone with a sewing machine or needle and thread, but snaps require a pro, or at least a costly machine (this is true for the size adjustment snaps, too).

Two more things that I should address that a lot of people might be concerned about are bulk and pockets.

Bulky diapers are unavoidable with cloth. My son’s butt is twice as big with cloth than with sposies (that’s cloth diaper speak for “disposables”), but I think it’s cute, and it helps with pants that are a little big. They actually fit a little better when he’s wearing cloth. But there are places where bulk is unwanted, and bulk in the front is no laughing matter. Many of the snapping one-size diapers create a large amount of weird bulk in the front, particularly those that have all the padding built in, and there’s the folding issue, which basically means that there are folds within the diaper that can create a pocket for unpleasant things to get stuck in (and if you don’t unsnap, there’s a chance that part won’t get totally clean, jsyk. So I prefer diapers that actually have levels of closures and the rest folds down. The diaper I’ve created has three levels of velcro, folds down and the folded part is covered with an insert pad, so that it doesn’t get overly messed up. The best part: very little excess bulk from the diaper itself. The insert can be folded for smaller babies, but the diaper is two layers of fabric plus the velcro (which makes it a little thicker, but not too thick). The best part of this is that there are no tedious snaps to re-snap or adjust, and this can shave time off of a diaper change, which is good for everyone.

There are many who love pocket diapers, and for them, this is no big thing, but for me, as someone who sews my own, the pockets are a big hassle, and seem to be counterproductive, at least when it comes to removal of messes. I prefer a diaper that the “stuff” can come off of easily by a little shaking, or with a nice removable pad that means you aren’t holding the whole diaper precariously over the toilet hoping you don’t drop it in. (Look, if you’re reading this and you aren’t a cloth diaperer, don’t say “ew! gross.” If you’ve ever changed a dirty diaper, it’s exactly the same, there’s always the risk of getting something gross on your hands, just wash them with soap and water when you are finished for crying out loud! Babies are messy, and there’s no getting around it. It’s safer for you and for them if you wash your hands after changing ANY diaper anyways. No harm, no foul.)

Pocket diapers don’t really allow for simple removal, in my opinion, and many people don’t like to have to stuff them, so it’s definitely a preference issue. I like something you can just lay in the diaper and pop out if needed.

One last thing about diapers that I want is elastic in the back. Many diapers don’t have this, and I think it can be a vital element, because if your baby has a blow-out, elastic that stretches just right around the thighs and behind can keep you from having to do a lot more laundry. I’m not saying every mess will be contained, that is really dependent upon the force and how well the diaper fits in the first place, but it may be the difference between 1 and 2 loads of baby clothes every day!

For anyone who is reading this thinking, those things don’t bother me, I mean no offense, this is my personal opinion on what I like best in a diaper/don’t like, and there are literally dozens of diapers out there, any one of which could be best suited to individual needs and preferences. I choose to make my own, including the pattern, and I think it works best for my needs. I think it’s also a great idea to talk about what expectations are for a good cloth diaper because people who may be considering cloth should know what it’s like to use them. Every baby is different, each baby is shaped different, too, and what works for some may be disastrous for others. The best part about cloth is that it has become far more versatile than it used to be (folded diapers and plastic pants), and it is so much more versatile than disposable diapering–and cuter, too!