T-shirt Flip Style Prefold

Flip prefolds are my favorite insert to use in Prince Charming's cloth covers. They are a bit pricey however at $8 each. I did pick up some NWOT on eBay for $5 each and felt I got a good price, but I've learned to make them for just pennies!!!

All you need is a BIG t- shirt. I used my husbands 2XL undershirts he replaced with new ones I gave him for Christmas. Old and stained t- shirts are perfect for this.

1. Line up bottom edges of t-shirt and lay flat on table.

2. Cut the bottom hem off, making a straight cut. Measure up 14.5 inches and make another straight cut. You now have a large ring of fabric.

3. Fold this piece in half, folded edge to folded edge. This may take a little fiddling to get it to lay flat.

If adding extra absorbency layers you should mark this fold line with a pin. Now open the fold back to the right and find the center of the left side (between the pin and left edge). Now lay your extra layers on the center of the left side. Stitch down with zig zag stitch and fold back closed. If you want the extra layers to go the short way on the insert then center the end of them on the uncut edge before zig-zagging. This is what the zig zag stitches look like on the other side. - see further instructions below.

If adding a decorative outer layer you should do it at this point - see further instructions below.

4. Sew a straight stitch along the left open side.

5. Find the center on the short edge and measure 2 1/2 inches from the center on each side. This is where you should use a straight stitch to stitch through all layers and make the fold lines. Stitch parallel lines 5 inches apart from short edge to short edge. In the photo below there are 4 lines stitched so far, 2 on the long edges ( note if not using a decorative outer fabric you only need to sew 1 long side) and 2 fold lines. I'm using pins to mark the centers of all 4 sides.

6. Find center on long edge and measure 2 1/2 inches from the center on each side. This is where you should use a straight stitch to make fold lines. Stitch parallel lines 5 inches apart from long edge to long edge.

This photo should make it about as clear as mud.

7. Trim up raw edges making them even. Zig zag or serge both raw edges.

8. Fold and place in your cover. No prepping needed if you are using upcycled fabrics. If using new fabric, I like to wash and dry it five times prior to cutting and sewing.

Flip organic insert fully prepped measures 13.5 inches wide by 14.5 inches long

Mama's frugal insert

Cost: less than $1 for thread and cute decorative fabric

Front side

Back side

Folded the short way

Your finished width will vary based on the width of your t-shirt. This doesn't really matter, but the wider it is then the more absorbent it will be. You want to keep it at or less than 13.5 inches wide so that it folds nicely.

• Variations

Add a decorative outer layer. If you choose to add a cute outer fabric, choose one that is a knit jersey to match the t-shirt fabric. This keeps it comfy and cozy for baby. They really do feel soft. Cut the piece 1 inch wider and the same length as your folded t-shirt piece. Turn under 1/2 inch on both the right and left sides and pin on top of the folded t-shirt piece. Stitch both sides with a straight stitch. You now have 4 layers of t-shirt fabric and 1 layer of decorative fabric. Continue to step 5.

Add extra length. One way to add absorbency to this insert would be to cut the t-shirt at around 18.5 inches high instead of 14.5. Use your discretion to get the fold you want. This would work best on larger babies so that you don't get too much bulk added to the front. Use the insert in the same manner except fold over the extra length in the front or back as needed.


Add more layers of absorbency. Another way to add absorbency is to cut extra strips from the unused top portion and sleeves of the t-shirt and sew them into the center of the insert. These should measure 4.5 inches wide by 15 inches for use the long way or 4.5 inches by 13 inches for use the short way. Layer them on top of each other and zig zag the edges down in between the t-shirt layers (between the fold). Then stitch the first straight stitch holding all the layers together. You do not want the extra layers to reach into where you stitch the fold lines. It will add extra bulk and made it harder to fold. I've added up to about 4 extra layers and they do work well, but they also increase the drying time. The inserts with the extra layers are the last to dry in my diaper load and I usually just hang them over something to let them finish drying when everything is dry (I use 1 long high heat cycle). With these extra layers added, I feel like they work just as well as a Flip Organic Insert. Flips work really well, and never leak for me. I have no problems with the t-shirt flips made without extra layers either. They work great for normal daytime use, I just feel like a flip organic would hold a little more if put to the test.



If you use this tutorial, please let me know how you like it. I'd love to improve it based on your feedback.

Happy T-shirt Flipping!!

Mama's Monkeys

While I write this, my 3 monkeys are asleep in the back seat :)

of my husbands truck because my mommy van is dead on my carport :(

but hey, it could worse, 2 years ago I had no carport and dreamed of the day I could get the groceries in the house on a rainy day without taking a shower outside.

These are the newest outfits I've made, and I am just in love with the Moda sock monkeys! Notice I bought the same print in flannel this week too. I'm putting together a pattern for turning a tank top into a dress like this. It's very easy and quick to do. It uses elastic to get a nice fit around the chest and still let's it be super comfy for playing or dressing up with bows, flowers, sashes, or whatever else you come up with.

I'm glad I got these pics when we I did because soon after, the girls were making these works of art at a friends super fun "half birthday" party. The snap-on flowers worked great because I could snap them off and they didn't get too painty.

I thought the half-birthday was a neat idea for kids whose real birthdays are in the dead of winter and can't play outdoors.

Have you ever done a party like this?

Long-lasting wardrobe

I finally got some dresses sewn up for the girls over the weekend. I used the Tatum Dress Pattern from Sew Sweet Patterns. It has a great tutorial, but not the simplest dress to sew because of the facing pieces. I would try this pattern after completing several other sewing projects first. A couple of tips I would give is that the skirt pieces should be cut out to be wider than longer ( to allow for gathering). This is unclear in the tutorial and therefore I completed my dresses with one extra seam- to fix the skirt and a lot of extra seam ripping! Also, the sash is only long enough to tie a square knot, not a bow, so, add length if that's what you want.

 

I've had them cut out for to 2 months. With July 4 coming up I thought they would be cute, so I got motivated to finish them up. I also got to thinking about how I like to sew things that I know can be worn for 2 years or more. Here are some ways I do that:

• Make them 1 size big so that they can get two years of wear out of them. Notice in the back of this dress that the sash tightens the dress at the waist to make it flattering, but there is still plenty of room to grow. I try to keep this in mind when selecting a pattern, so it can still look nice both years without looking baggy.
• I've also been known to put in an extra large hem so that there is plenty to let down next year.
• Anytime you can use elastic as a closure it will fit longer than using buttons or zippers. On this dress the elastic is in the neckline.
• My sister in law figured out that for those young toddler years you can get extra wear by making a dress that fits loosely in the chest, maybe wear a shirt underneath, and then next year it can be a tunic top to wear with leggings! I love this idea!

What tips do you have?