I finally found the time to update my PreFitted Tutorial with all the bells and whistles! This is the luxury edition, complete with velour! haha
This is a very simple and inexpensive way of turning prefolds you already have into adorable fitteds without using a serger. Several things have changed with this new tutorial and I will try to explain everything in full detail, so it's picture obese! If I've left anything out or you have any questions, please let me know!
To start, get your materials together: prefolds, elastic, decorative print (anything goes here ie: flannel, cotton weave, knits and if you use poly fleece you will essentially end up with an AIO), velour (for the lux edition, haha) and your pattern.
You may also want to add touchtape or snaps. Personally I prefer pins or snappi's. If you are planning on using snappi's make sure your decorative print is snappi-friendly (ie: knits, velour, stretch terry, some flannels, etc.).
Just a tip: wash all your fabrics (I even wash my elastic!) before cutting to avoid shrinkage issues and to remove any yukky residues left behind from dying, manufacturing and shipping.
Disclaimer: Yep, the prefold I'm using here is stained.. I'm not a stickler for stain removal in dipes, they all eventually come out in the wash and this one has already gone through 2 kids so it's old to boot. And yes, I'm still using my grams ironing board complete with the ratty old stained cover I can't seem to part with - it's clean, just looks crappy.. nevermind it. :)
First, iron your prefold (and the rest of your fabric) - they are so much easier to work with once ironed. Then cut the serged edges off - OR you could seam rip the edges. Any prefold will work, even gerbers (which don't turn out half bad either, I did half a stash for my bud Suzie and she loves them) but here I'm using a premium unbleached chinese one.
Lay your pattern down over the ironed prefold and trace it out with a washable marker. Make sure to mark your elastic. Trace it out on your decorative print as well and cut both out. I'm using the final edition of the one-size pattern I drafted.
When I draft patterns I don't add seam allowances. Instead I trace it out and cut a quarter inch or so outside the line. This way I can just sew down the line for perfect edges. If you are using or have drafted a pattern with seam allowances cut right on the line.
Just a tip: when cutting apart an old prefold you may find lint buildup stuck along seams and in corners, sweep it all out to maximize bulk reduction.
The excess will make the soaker, lets start here.
Open it up on the fold and press.
Depending on your pattern, you may have more or less than I do here. Define an even rectangular shape out of the scraps, stack them together and stitch down one of the short ends.
Open it up, lay flat and press. Here's your soaker panel.
Time to break out the velour! Or whatever fabric you have handy, but lets face it - velour is softest and squishously yummiest to use - hence the Lux! Cut out 2 rectangles the same size as the soaker panel.
Place the velour right sides together and top with the soaker panel, pin three sides together and sew.
Trim off the excess, anytime you are going to turn and topstitch you wanna reduce the bulk as much as possible. Turn it right side out.
I like to do a 3-step zig-zag stitch down the center of the pad to avoid shifting during washing, then topstitch.
Center the soaker panel where you want it on the right side (or the side without the pattern lines) of the prefold.
Attach it with a tight zig-zag stitch twice over.
Depending on your pattern and the size/brand of your prefold, you may want or need to extend the wings. Since I am using my one-size fitted I want the wings to match so I'm adding some velour and you can do the same. Just lay the prefold over the decorative diaper cut and cut the excess out of velour making sure to account for seam allowance.
Pin them on and stitch right sides together.
Press the seams toward the velour and stitch down for added strength.
You can use straight stitch, but I think a zig-zag stitch will prevent fraying better.
Next you'll want to trim away some excess bulk at the back of the prefold where the elastic will go.
Just separate the layers in the center, clip about 3/4 of an inch on each side and trim away.
Center your decorative print over the prefold and pin. I've used a snuggle flannel here with an awesome print that was graciously sent to me by my friend Suzie!
You are not going to stitch down the front, instead leave the entire length open for turning. I always pin to prevent shifting while sewing, especially with knits. Stitch down the line, unless you used a pattern with a seam allowance. In that case, use whatever seam allowance the pattern calls for.
When you are done stitching, trim away the excess outside the marks you made for the elastic. This will leave seam allowance only where the elastic will go.
Separate the layers of the remaining seam allowance leaving only 2 or 3 layers of the prefold and trim away the rest. This will remove the bulk and allow the elastic to stretch and relax to it's full extent when tacked down. I find 2 layers is sufficient, but if you are using something very old and worn you may want to use 3.
Here is what it should look like when done trimming.
I like to tack elastic down the seam allowance using the 3-step zig-zag stitch. Tack the end down by going back and forth a few times then stretch it pulling tightly to the end of the exposed seam allowance. Be sure to go back and forth over the opposite end as well.
Here is what it should look like with both the leg and back elastic in place. This is also what it looks like when my cat refuses to get off the ironing board. :)
Turn it out, press if you like (and I do like to because I find I end up with crisper edges) and topstitch around the front and back wings. I do not topstitch around the leg elastic in this particular design because the bulk of the prefold will end up hindering full usage of it.
To finish, lay the front opening flat, press and trim any uneven edges. Then just close it up with a tight zig-zag stitch twice over.
Here is the inside, you may end up with a shorter or longer soaker panel depending on your pattern. I find longer is better because you can fold it up in front for boys or in half for girls!
Here is the outside laid flat.
Just a tip: Never wash using a heavy duty spin cycle. Diapers can fray and get ruined. (Found that one out the hard way!)
All pinned up in front.
Side view. If you notice, one of the benefits to not topstitching around the elastic is that the decorative print ends up rolling in creating a softer leg casing in most cases!
Top view.
A very grumpy Lucas in need of a nap did not want to model for me so the action shots are limited and crummy! Hopefully I'll get better ones after it's washed again.. and of course since it's a one size, I can use it on Raven too! It will look better on her anyway! haha Luke can rock the girlie prints though!
and here it is folded down in front and snappi'd on my 2 month old 16lb chunker Raven!
Talk about a versitile design! (toots my own horn.. haha)