Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / New
Stats: 3,154,698 members, 7,823,963 topics. Date: Friday, 10 May 2024 at 07:19 PM

DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative - Fashion - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum / Entertainment / Fashion / DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative (29282 Views)

How To Make A Natural Diy Acne/pimple Soap / Please Where Can I Get These DIY Cream Ingredients? / Diy's On Natural Hair & Beauty (2) (3) (4)

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (Reply) (Go Down)

DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by AlphaHandMaiden(f): 3:04pm On Sep 04, 2016
This thread is created for the crafty fingered and creative soul. A place to learn a few DIY , Arty and Crafty things.

I will be putting up a few tutorials, with pictures and step by step explanations on how to complete each project.

I will add a table of content at the front so you know which page the project you are interested in is on.

If anyone has a tutorial you would like to share, please feel free to add it. Just keep your instructions clear with adequate picture guides.

And If anyone uses any of the tutorials posted here, please share images of your finished work.


Thank you.


.



.



.

8 Likes 1 Share

Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by AlphaHandMaiden(f): 3:05pm On Sep 04, 2016
TUTORIAL LIST & PAGE

●DIY fitted cloth nappy ( size 1**) - page 0

●DIY no-sew fabric tutu (sizes from 0 to 5 yrs) - Page 2

●DIY fitted cloth nappy (size 2***) - page tbc

● DIY nappy booster pad - page tbc

●Tutu - Dress (Page 3)

●Tutu Skirt (Page 3)

● Upcycled men's shirt to toddler rumper ( Page 3)

●DIY messenger bag from old mackintosh fabric ( Page 3)

● Baby / Child T- Shirt to dress ( page 4)

Onesie conversion - Onesie to baby girl dress ( Page 4)
.



.
.
.
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
.
.
..
..
.
.
..
.
.
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by AlphaHandMaiden(f): 3:06pm On Sep 04, 2016
List cont'd (saved space)
.
.
.
.

.




.
.

.
.
.
.
.
.




.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

.


.
.



.


...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.


.
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by AlphaHandMaiden(f): 3:10pm On Sep 04, 2016
DIY FITTED CLOTH NAPPY TUTORIAL.

INTRODUCTION:

The  aim of  this   tutorial is   for  you  to make  your  own fitted  cloth  nappy  with  materials  that  are  readily  available in  the   fabric  section  of any local market.

You  will be  making  your  own  sized  nappy from  a  template/ pattern  made  by  you. 
  
You  are likely  to  use at least  2 different  sizes of  nappies   from  birth   till  you  potty  train  so   the   template  creation is  made  to  be  generic  and  you  can apply it   to making   an  equivalent  of  any  size  of  disposable  nappy  you  want.

You  just  need  to  adjust  the  template  to  suit.

This  tutorial will cover 2  sizes  of  nappies,  and  for ease  i  will call them:   
●Size 1 nappy:  from newborn   to  about   10 -11kg
●Size 2 nappy:  from  about   7kg  to  15kg.
●Booster  for  added  absorbancy


A  sewing  machine  is  not  essential  but  it  does  make   it  easier  and   the   stiches    stronger  especially as  these  nappies  will  take  a  bit  of  a  beating  during  use. 

 If  you are  hand  sewing,  make  sure  you  use  quality  thread, taking small  stiches  and  back  stitch  to make  sure  the   stitches  are  strong  and  durable.

This   tutorial will be done in 4 parts: each part may be sub sectioned into a,b, c ....... due to NL not allowing more than 4 photos. I will try and describe each process as best as i can. 

Please note this  will be a work in progress and i will be making it up as as we go along, so bear with me. It may take  a  while. 

The  parts  will be:

PART 1: Supplies 

Part 2: Making of your rough pattern

Part 3: Fine-tuning the pattern and cutting out your pieces 

Part 4: Sewing and construction



***Kindly  note  this  tutorial is  for  the  absorbent  part of  the  nappy  alone!  You  will need  a  seperate  waterproof  wrap  to  go  over it. ***



If  you  use  this  tutorial,  please  post  pictures  of  the  finished   work,  let us  know  which  size  nappy  you  made,  and  also  a picture of  it on the  baby it was made  for..

Thanks.

Cc. Fvine, ahnie, stadora

6 Likes 1 Share

Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by AlphaHandMaiden(f): 3:32pm On Sep 04, 2016
DIY FITTED CLOTH NAPPY TUTORIAL.

PART 1:  SUPPLIES

I have  tried  to  keep  the  supplies  list  very   simple without  any  specialised  material or  equiptment.

Sorry  i  cant   give   prices   of  materials  but  anyone  with   prices can  feel  free  to   contribute.

To make your  pattern

●2  disposable   nappies.
(Note: i  am  using   a   store brand  size  4  nappy to  fit  7kg  - 18kg)  you can use  whichever  brand  and  size you  want.  But   size  4  seems  ideal  to  scale up  and   down for  the  two  sizes.   If however  you want   a  very  small  size   for  maybe  a  preemie,  or  multiples  with low  birth  weight then you can use  a  size  1  or  2 disposable  nappy  and   follow the  same steps)

●Cellotape (The  brown  type)

●Thick  cardboard/carton

●2  pencils and rubber band

●Ruler or  tape rule.

●Marker ( 2  colours )
 
●Brown paper,  pattern paper  or  newspaper.



To  make  the  nappy:

●Towelling / terry   fabric ( you can use  old  towels,  old  cotton t-shirts, cotton  flannel  baby  blankets   or   any 100%   cotton fabric.

●Elastic band  - 1/4  inch  or 1/2inch wide (  if  hand  sewing   use  a  minimum  of  1/2inch   wide  elastic.

●Velcro/ hook or  loop ( Optional -  you can omit  this  and use a   snappy or  baby  safety pin  instead  to  secure it)

●Needle  and  thread/ sewing  machine.

● pins (coloured pins preferably  so  they  dont   get  lost in the   fabric)

●4 to 6 medium  sized safety pins

2 Likes

Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by yatch360: 3:45pm On Sep 04, 2016
Following with rapt attention shocked
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by jazzyjazz: 4:06pm On Sep 04, 2016
Me sef no go carry last! Following!!!
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by AlphaHandMaiden(f): 4:07pm On Sep 04, 2016
DIY FITTED CLOTH NAPPY TUTORIAL.

PART  2:  PATTERN  MAKING

Step one:
Take  one  of  the   disposable  nappies and  open in up onto the   carton or  hard cardboard.

Use  your  cello tape (   the  brown  one type  as  you need  the   adhesion)  to  tape  it  to  the  carton

Stretch out  all  the  elastic around  the  leg   gussets until  it  is completely  flat.  You will need  to  be taping  as  you  stretch.   Open up  and Extend  the     front and   back flaps /  tabs.  

Step 2:
With your  marker  draw  around the  flattened   disposable including  the front  and  back  flaps.

Mark out  the   area  that  has  the  absorbent  layer,  this  will be your booster  zone.****

Now  remove  the  disposable  from the carton,  and fill out  the   areas  that  were  covered  by  the  cellotape. 

From  my  trace out  the  central width of  the   nappy  is  about  8 1/2 inches,   the  booster  zone  is  just under  5 inches.  Yours  will be  different  depending  on the  nappy brand  and  size  you are using.


Step 3:
Use  the  rubberband   to     hold  2  pencils  together.  Placing  one pencil lead on the  marker line and  the  other  lead inside  the  marker line.
Now  trace  round  the  nappy  template.  This is  ideally your   seam  allowance. Approximately 1/4 inches  to 1/2 inches minimum. 
Use your   marker  to mark out  seam allowance  with  a  dotted/ dashed  line.


Depending on the  size  you  are making Measure   1/2inch  to  1 inch   from the  seam allowance line of each of the  leg  gusset  area  and  mark  it out  to where  the   front  and back  flaps  curve.  This  is  your  elastic   zone.
 
Make  sure  there is  some  space  between  your   booster  zone  and  the line  that  marks  your  elastic  zone.


At  the  back measure  out   1/2 inch to  1 inch  from the   seam allowance  line of  the  back.    This  is  your elastic  zone.

Step 4:
Now  cut out  your  rough pattern using  the  outermost  line (  the  original  traced out  line.

Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by ndozzy: 4:10pm On Sep 04, 2016
interesting
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by Onegai(f): 4:11pm On Sep 04, 2016
Space booked.

Cc LiftedHands

2 Likes

Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by gandyluv(f): 4:55pm On Sep 04, 2016
very educative.Weldon ma
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by babythug(f): 4:57pm On Sep 04, 2016
AlphaHandMaiden:
This thread is created for the crafty fingered and creative soul. A place to learn a few DIY , Arty and Crafty things.




Just to suggest, can you post some of your previous lecture notes grin on cloth diapering here? It'll certainly come in handy
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by AlphaHandMaiden(f): 4:59pm On Sep 04, 2016
DIY FITTED CLOTH NAPPY TUTORIAL.

PART 3A-1: FINE-TUNING THE  PATTERN
(This  is  for  a  *Size 1* Nappy)

Now  we are going  to  make the  pattern symetrical  so  that  it looks  nice   and  tidy.

Step 1:
Place  your  newspaper, brownpaper or partern paper  down  and    place  your rough cardboard/carton pattern  over it.

Now  trace  out  the  outline  of  the  rough template. Mark  out  the  extents   of  the  booster  zone  at  the  front  and  also  the  booster  and  elastic  zones  at  the   back.

Update:
Before you cut the paper pattern, make the back flaps longer by about 2 inches this is to compensate for the elastic at the back

cut  paper  to  shape.

Do not throw away the rough template. You will need it for the size 2 and to redo the fine pattern if it gets too tatty after a few uses.

Step 2:
Fold  newspaper  in  half  lenghtwise  try  and  align the marks  of   booster  zone     and/  or    elastic   zone.
 Some   parts  will  overlap   and  extend  past   the  other side  so redraw back flaps,  front  flaps  and   curves  on one  side of the  half to   ensure  no  over laps ( redrawn in red pen).

Cut  ouline  of  red  pen to  give  a  symmetical  template  when  unfolded.
 

Step 3:
Before  you unfold, mark out  the   center line.
 
Unfold  the  pattern 

Mark out   1/2 inch  from the leg  gusset  edges for  your  seam  allowance  and  another  1inch   for  your  elastic  casing. 


Step 4:
mark out     your  booster  zone  based  on the  measurements  on your   rough  cardboard  template.   For  my pattern, This is  about   2 inches  to  2 1/2 inches  on  each  side of  the centre line.
 this   will be  your   booster  zone!

Make  sure  there is  a  bit  of  gap (1/4 inch   to  1/ 2inch  is sufficient)   between  the booster   zone  and  the  line  for  the  elastic   casing.
 
Mark out  about  3 inches  from the  back line and  about  2 1/2inches  from  the  front line.  This  should  give  you  a  rectangle in the  centre of  the  paper  pattern.

Measure  out  this  rectangle.  In my case  this  is  4 1/2 inches wide  by 13 inches.

Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by SisiNini(f): 6:09pm On Sep 04, 2016
Nice one ma.. #following
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by AlphaHandMaiden(f): 6:43pm On Sep 04, 2016
DIY FITTED CLOTH NAPPY TUTORIAL.

PART 3B: CUTTING  OUT  YOUR  PIECES.

Step 1:
Fold  terry/towel  fabric to  double  it  up  and place  on  flat surface.  
Open out  your paper  pattern  and  and   place   over terry  fabric.

Pin in  place.  And   cut  out fabric.  This   should  give  you  2   pieces.

Step 2:
Use  pins  to  mark out booster  and  elastic  extents  from  template  to  the  fabric.

Step 3:

In order to waste  as little fabric as  possible, i am   using    the  "scraps" left  after  cutting  my   terry fabric to  form  my  absorbent  core in the   booster zone.

I  have  4  pieces   which i  trim  into rough oval  shapes.

Alternatively, you  can use the measurements  of the  booster  zone  and  cut  rectangles  for  this.
 
The  number  of   pieces  you use as  the  core   will Depend on the thickness of your fabric. mine  is not  very  thick  so using  all 4   is  not  too  bulky.

You  can  also  use other   scrap  cotton materials  to  form  this   absorbent  core.   Cotton  flannel, old  tee  shirts  will  work  fine as  well.  You may  just have  to    increase the number of  layers.

 
You  should  have:

2 no  pieces of  the  main  nappy
1 or  more  pieces  of   booster ( 4 booster  pieces in my case)

Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by realdentist(f): 7:44pm On Sep 04, 2016
listening attentively. good job ma
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by AlphaHandMaiden(f): 9:12pm On Sep 04, 2016
DIY FITTED CLOTH NAPPY TUTORIAL.

PART 4A-1: SEWING  AND  CONSTRUCTION - page 01

There are several  ways  to  sew  the  nappy. This  is  one  method.  I  may  cover  another  method at a later time.

Step 1:
Take  one  of  the  main  pieces  and  lay  all your  booster  pieces   in  the  center. 
If  you  are  using   a  rectangular piece   just  place  them one on top  of  the  other .

If  you are using  the  scrap  fabrics,  place   the  first one in the  centre of  your main piece  and  offset  the  2nd  and   3rd  pieces  to  fill  the  "gap"  at  the   top  and  bottom  of  where  your  booster  zone   is.  And  the   4th  piece  of   scrap  goes  in the   centre

 Pin  in place   and   sew.
 

Step 2:
Take this  sewn  piece  and   place it booster - side up  over  the  other main nappy  piece.

Pin in  place. 

Starting  from  one  of  the  pins  used  to   indicate  the  front  booster zone, sew  all  the  way  around   using  the  1/2 inch  seam  allowance  marked  up in your  draft  pattern up to  the  position  of  the  other  pin  at  the  front.    Leaving  a  4 - 5  inch  gap.

 
Step 3:
Trim  the   corners  and  clip edges. This  reduces  bulk  

Turn   the  nappy  inside  out  through the  hole  use  a   skewer or pencil  to  poke  out  the  corners.


Sew  the  hole in the  front  closed.

Update: you can omit sewing the gap closed for now and wait till you fit the elastic. See update to part 4A-1: page 02.


There is  no  inside/outside  perse but  if you would  like  to  distiguish, The side with the booster sewn in can be the outside and the plain one is inside.

Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by AlphaHandMaiden(f): 9:18pm On Sep 04, 2016
DIY FITTED CLOTH NAPPY TUTORIAL.

PART 4A-1 : SEWING  AND  CONSTRUCTION - Page 02


Step 4:
Now to  sew  the  elastic  casing.

For each of  the  leg  gussets,  sew  1/2in  to  1 inch    from the   edge up  to  were  the  curves  start.

 For  the  back    sew   1/2 inch or  1inch  away   from the  back  edge  starting  and  stopping   at  the  pin marks.

Take  a  small  scissors  and   snip  a  small  hole  at  each  end  of  the  sewing  line. ( Do this on the "outside" i.e the part of the nappy with the booster sewn in.)

Update : you can avoid cutting the fabric if you leave the front hole open.

Step 5:
For  the  back  elastic,  measure it to the  width  of  the  booster  zone.

For  the  legs,   take your  second disposable  nappy  and  measure  the   elastic  around  the  gathered  up    gussets.

For  me  this  is  about  5 inches  and  7 inches.  Now  cut  the   elastic  to be about  1 inch  shorter.

You  should have:

2 pieces  6inch  long for  the  leg gussets
1  piece  4 inch  long  for  the  back.

Step 6:
Now   place  a  safety pin on both  ends  of  each  elastic   and   thread  then  though  the  holes made  in the nappy. 

Update: if you dont want to cut the fabric to fit the elastic, thread the elastic into the casings through the hole in front of the nappy. Attach a safety pin to only 1 end and pass it through the casing. When the bottom end of the elastic reaches the the start of the casing, hold it doen and sew it in place securely.

Continue threading the part with the safety pin through to the oher side of the casing. Thhe nappy should start gathering up. When you get to the oher side of rhe casing, sew the elastic end down making sure you can take off the safety pin when you are done. Alternatively you can take off the safety pin before you sew, just make sure you hold the end of the elastic tightly .

Once the elastics are fitted, you can now sew the front gap closed.




Sew the  elastic  down  on each  end   and  sew  the   holes   closed. At  this   stage  it  is preferable to  use   a  sewing  machine  and   zig-zag  the    holes  closed.  A  few overlapping  zig zag  stitches  will help keep  the   terry  fabric  from  fraying and  opening  up. (You may need up to 3 rows zigzag stitches to keep it all together)


Note: 
There  are  other ways  to  sew  on the   elastic.  This  may be  covered in  another  tutorial ( see update notes above)

1 Share

Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by AlphaHandMaiden(f): 9:33pm On Sep 04, 2016
DIY FITTED CLOTH NAPPY TUTORIAL.

PART 4B: SEWING  AND  CONSTRUCTION

The  nappy  is  more  or  less  done   if  you  want  to  use  a  snappi,  pin or  just  hold it in place  with a  wrap you  are good  to  go.

Notes
Wash  it   at least  twice  before  first  use.

For  a  small size perharps for a newborn of about 3.5kg birthweight, ( top picture), Fold  down the front inside  the  nappy to  reduce  the  rise   and    snappi  as  usual.

Middle  picture :  on a   larger   fit

Bottom  picture:  on my  trusty model at  about  9.6kg.
So  there you  have it! 

(To  add a   velcro  or  hook & loop fixing,  this will be  covered  in a  seperate  tutorial.  As  the   back  flaps  need  to  be  cut  a  couple of inches  longer. )

Please  ignore  the  safety pin in  the  picture  i  used  it  to   mark  where  additional  zigzag  stitches  were needed.

4 Likes

Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by Liftedhands(f): 10:34pm On Sep 04, 2016
Well-done AlphahandMaiden,

Thanks for the mention onegai.
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by ozycy: 10:54pm On Sep 04, 2016
Following
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by Onegai(f): 7:18am On Sep 05, 2016
Mamas interested in the type of fastener she used, it's called a Snappi. So far, I have only seen it sold at the Sprite in The Palms mall, Lekki. Other Shoprites don't have it. It's very good and durable. You only need 2 or 3 and they don't break. It used to cost N500 for one. It's a South African product but it's sold everywhere around the world.

4 Likes

Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by Mumjb(f): 9:24am On Sep 05, 2016
nice work, mama Alphahandmaiden.

following.
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by AlphaHandMaiden(f): 9:44am On Sep 05, 2016
grin grin grin
Na real lecture notes.... grin

Ok will do.

babythug:


Just to suggest, can you post some of your previous lecture notes grin on cloth diapering here? It'll certainly come in handy

1 Like

Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by dharmielol(f): 4:45pm On Sep 05, 2016
waoh, weldone.... how many hours does this take you? nice one
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by dharmielol(f): 4:46pm On Sep 05, 2016
Onegai:
Mamas interested in the type of fastener she used, it's called a Snappi. So far, I have only seen it sold at the Sprite in The Palms mall, Lekki. Other Shoprites don't have it. It's very good and durable. You only need 2 or 3 and they don't break. It used to cost N500 for one. It's a South African product but it's sold everywhere around the world.
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by dharmielol(f): 4:47pm On Sep 05, 2016
waoh, u really did a great job

AlphaHandMaiden:
DIY FITTED CLOTH NAPPY TUTORIAL.

PART 3B: CUTTING  OUT  YOUR  PIECES.

Step 1:
Fold  terry/towel  fabric to  double  it  up  and place  on  flat surface.  
Open out  your paper  pattern  and  and   place   over terry  fabric.

Pin in  place.  And   cut  out fabric.  This   should  give  you  2   pieces.

Step 2:
Use  pins  to  mark out booster  and  elastic  extents  from  template  to  the  fabric.

Step 3:

In order to waste  as little fabric as  possible, i am   using    the  "scraps" left  after  cutting  my   terry fabric to  form  my  absorbent  core in the   booster zone.

I  have  4  pieces   which i  trim  into rough oval  shapes.

Alternatively, you  can use the measurements  of the  booster  zone  and  cut  rectangles  for  this.
 
The  number  of   pieces  you use as  the  core   will Depend on the thickness of your fabric. mine  is not  very  thick  so using  all 4   is  not  too  bulky.

You  can  also  use other   scrap  cotton materials  to  form  this   absorbent  core.   Cotton  flannel, old  tee  shirts  will  work  fine as  well.  You may  just have  to    increase the number of  layers.

 
You  should  have:

2 no  pieces of  the  main  nappy
1 or  more  pieces  of   booster ( 4 booster  pieces in my case)



Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by rezzy: 6:28pm On Sep 05, 2016
Well done mama, will try mine tomorrow. @alphahandmaiden

Onegai:
Mamas interested in the type of fastener she used, it's called a Snappi. So far, I have only seen it sold at the Sprite in The Palms mall, Lekki. Other Shoprites don't have it. It's very good and durable. You only need 2 or 3 and they don't break. It used to cost N500 for one. It's a South African product but it's sold everywhere around the world.

Is the Palms mall inside lekki phase 1?
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by Onegai(f): 6:39pm On Sep 05, 2016
rezzy:
Well done mama, will try mine tomorrow. @alphahandmaiden



Is the Palms mall inside lekki phase 1?


No it's on the VI side by Sandfill off Ozumba Mbadiwe.
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by rezzy: 6:53pm On Sep 05, 2016
Onegai:


No it's on the VI side by Sandfill off Ozumba Mbadiwe.
Thanks ma
Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by AlphaHandMaiden(f): 7:08am On Sep 06, 2016
rezzy:
Well done mama, will try mine tomorrow. @alphahandmaiden



Is the Palms mall inside lekki phase 1?


Great! Let's know how it goes. grin

1 Like

Re: DIY Tutorials : Let's Get Crafty & Creative by AlphaHandMaiden(f): 7:14am On Sep 06, 2016
dharmielol:
waoh, weldone.... how many hours does this take you? nice one

Thanks
The sewing itself doesnt take too much time. I spent more time working out how to make the pattern in a way most people can follow using stuff they already have lying around the home or are easy to get.

3 Likes

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (Reply)

Genevieve, Tiwa Savage Or Venita: Who Wore It Best / The Hairstyle That Pleases God As A Believer. / Nigerian Tailors And Disappointment: Share Your Experiences

(Go Up)

Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health
religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket

Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 73
Disclaimer: Every Nairaland member is solely responsible for anything that he/she posts or uploads on Nairaland.