DIY
I have had lots of fun sewing nappies, training pants, little undies and more myself and know that others also enjoy the same. Consequently I have set up this page to link to tutorials - both my own and others, to help you to do it yourself. I would like to make this comprehensive, so please feel free to forward me links to other pages that you think would be suitable for inclusion here.
Repairing nappies and nappy covers
Replace elastic in BBH-style fitted nappies and diapers - This is my tutorial with plenty of photographs to step you through this fairly simple repair. These nappies are overlocked and the elastic is originally sewn directly to the inside layer of the nappy.
Repair elastic in Itti Bitti-style nappies - This tutorial shows clear steps of how to repair elastic in an AIO which has been turned and topstitched. The elastic was originally sewn onto the seam allowance.
Sewing nappies and nappy covers
Do it yourself nappies from The Nappy Network - New Zealand - includes instructions and patterns
Fern and Faerie's instructions for sewing a nappy/diaper stash cheaply
Ozclothnappies' extensive list of links to sewing your own nappies etc
Making a pocket nappy from a Tshirt - a reconstruction
Training Pants
Good instructions and pattern for sewing training pants (in French) - free
Buy Marnie's OneWet Pants sewing pattern
Buy Marnie's DropFlap OneWet Pants sewing pattern
Little undies
Leg warmers
Baby Hope's Photo Tutorial on DIY leg warmers How to sew leg warmers from a pair of socks.
Emma's pattern to knit leg warmers
Knit flat with 8 ply and seamed at the back. This is a lovely simple pattern that could easily be adjusted to knit in the round if you prefer.
Zakka Life leg warmers - knitted flat with worsted weight 4 ply and US number 6 needles - for a 24 month old child. Looks quite loose at the bottom.
ADD
Craftaholic Baby Legwarmers - these are knitted in the round
using US8 (4mm) needles and worsted weight (8 ply) wool
Grad
School Knitter Baby Legwarmers - knitted with US2 double pin
needles in the round and Koigu Premium Merino wool
Baby
Leggings by Ruth Bendig - knit with sock yarn using double
pointed US1 needles to fit newborn to 6 months
Harper
Leg Warmers -
knit flat on straight needles or in the round on double pointed
needles, guage 30 sts/40 rows = 4 inches (10cm) in stocking
stitch
- sizing for 6 months to 2 years
Eveie
Peasy Baby Leg Warmers - knit in the round using sock wool
and 2.75mm and 3.5mm needles - sizes given to fit newborn to twelve
months
Baby Slings
Jan Andrea's Baby-related crafts - includes links for slings, pouches, wraps, mei tais and much much more!
Cloth
pads
Obsidian's list of patterns and instructions
Jan Andrea's Sew your own pads page
Adahy's cloth pad patterns and instructions Have a look at the circular pad!
Natural Suburbia - Jen and Linda give a detailed photo tutorial on how to make cloth pads
EC gear - including VPPS
How to make your own VPPS - very portable potty system
Kylene's instructions on how to make discreet split crotch pants for babies
Make your own potty cosy - a tutorial for a potty cover for the Baby Bjorn Little Potty written by Christine
Make a prefold belt or Nappy Belt - one of Marnie's tutorials explaining three easy ways to do it yourself
Links to other sewing stuff!
Sew your own cloth shopping bag - tutorial but no photos just yet
Sew a doll carrier for your child - tutorial but no photos
Quick delicious recipes
Make your own yoghurt - a quick preparation method, with brief details of how to make a haybox/insulated fuel-less cooker
Make delicious fruit ice cream - know exactly what is in your dessert!
Other things you could do to reduce your foot print:
- store hot water in an insulated container eg Thermos to use for hot drinks later in the day
- use cloth wipes in place of toilet paper to dry off with
- reduce your usage of shampoo - or try no-poo
- learn to sew or knit or crochet or build something
- share your skills with someone else
- hang clothes to dry instead of using a clothes dryer
- compost food scraps instead of throwing them in the rubbish
- grow some herbs or greens in pots, even if you cannot manage a vegetable garden
- grow your own sprouts
