Chloe Toes Boutique

Side-Snapping Diaper Cover

A free pattern for sewing a side-snapping diaper cover designed to fit perfectly over your Chloe Toes fitted diapers. This diaper cover is fast and easy to sew using 1" fold-over elastic to bind and elasticize in one simple step.

This diaper cover was designed to fit over Chloe Toes fitted diapers and will fit well over many other diaper types, such as prefolds and other fitted diapers. It is a looser-fitting style, with adjustable snap settings at the sides. The pattern uses 1" fold-over elastic (FOE) to bind and elasticize in a single step. Instructions for sewing the cover from a single layer of waterproof fabric (with facings) or from two full layers of fabric are provided. If a two-layer diaper is made with both layers from waterproof fabric, the cover can be made reversible.

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Materials Needed: Polyurethane Laminated fabric (PUL), Ultrex, Procare, wool, Windpro fleece or other waterproof fabric. 1" wide fold-over elastic (FOE). Choose the thick, matte-finish diaper FOE (not the satin-finish fashion FOE). Washable glue stick for basting. Polyester thread. Ballpoint sewing machine needle. Washable marker (or tailors chalk or other marking tool). Snaps (4 studs, 16 sockets, 20 caps). Optional decorative outer fabric layer if making a double-layered cover. Always prewash and preshrink your diaper materials, including fold-over elastic, before beginning.

Pattern is available in sizes premie, NB, S, M, L, XL and XXL. Print out the pattern pieces and join them together. ******PLEASE NOTE***** Due to feedback that the pattern has been running wide, we suggest that you reduce the width of the pattern by one inch. This means that if you print a single copy of the pattern (half pattern) you can simply remove 1/2" along the midline. Or if you print two copies and join them together to form a full-width pattern, simply overlap the edges by 1/2" when you tape the two halves together. We hope to get the pattern officially adjusted in the near future, but for now, this adjustment should create a good fit. Please make sure the pattern has printed to the correct scale. The small box in the corner of the pattern should be one inch square. If it is not printed to the correct size, the diaper cover will not fit properly.

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Sewing Instructions

Illustrations will show construction of both a double layered cover (sage green) and a single layered cover with facings to support the snaps (pink print).

Begin by cutting your layer of waterproof fabric. If making a two layered cover, you may opt for a decorative, non-waterproof outer layer (this one is sage green polyester satin) and a waterproof inner (this one is olive green polyester knit PUL) or two layers of waterproof fabric, fleece or wool.

I recommend cutting a sturdy, reusable pattern template from some heavy interfacing or other material, and transferring all markings to this template. Cut notches/holes in the pattern template for fast and easy transfer of pattern markings (see pictures to follow). A cutting mat and rotary blade facilitate fast and accurate cutting. Use of pattern weights will prevent slippage of pattern and fabric pieces. I suggest cutting no more than two layers at a time. If you do not have a rotary cutter and mat, trace around the pattern template onto the fabric and then cut out the pattern pieces with scissors.

If making a single layered cover, it is usually advisable to cut facings for the reverse side of each of the wings, to support the snaps. Very thick fabrics may not need this (such as a thick fulled wool) but in most cases it is advisable. The facings should be large enough to extend at least an inch beyond the last snap placement.

Transfer pattern markings to diaper cover pieces. Snap socket placement should be marked on the inside layer (or facing) of each back wing. Snap stud placement and elastic gathering marks should be marked on the outside layer of the diaper cover.

Next use a washable glue stick to temporarily baste the two layers of the diaper cover (wrong sides together) or the facings and the diaper cover outer together.

Now, it is time to begin applying the FOE binding. Begin at the center of one of the back wings. Leave a two inch tail of FOE extending beyond where you will begin stitching.

Lay the FOE down and center the edge of the diaper cover in the crease of the FOE, then fold it over to enclose the raw edge. Stitch down the FOE binding using a three-step zig-zag or wide zig-zag stitch, with the innermost stitch positioned just at or barely over the innermost edge of the FOE binding.

Pull the FOE snug when applying around curves and non-gathered areas, but do NOT stretch it (this will cause curling of the edges).

When you reach the markings for gathering at the top front, top back and leg openings, you will stretch the FOE moderately while sewing. It is not necessary to stretch the FOE as far as it will stretch. How much you stretch will depend somewhat on the type of fabric and FOE you are using, but generally, 75-90% of maximal stretch is about right. Depending on the materials you are using and the size and shape of your baby, you may find that you need to stretch more or less in order to achieve the right amount of gathering. Practice on scraps before you begin, if you are not certain how much to stretch.

Applying FOE evenly to curved and gathered areas can be tricky. It is helpful to sew in small increments of a few inches at a time, stopping often to rearrange fabric, FOE and hand position. Always stop with needle down, in the left-most position, as this will prevent fabric and binding from shifting as you make adjustments. Each time you stop, make sure the raw edge of the fabric is fully encased at the center of the FOE, and reposition your hands to hold and guide the FOE and fabric under good control. Then proceed with stiching a small segment at a time.

Sew FOE binding all around outside edge of diaper cover, gathering between the markings at the top front, top back and each leg opening. When you near the point where you began stitching, stop a few inches from the starting point.

Lock stitches in place and remove cover from machine. Now you will take the two free ends of the FOE and turn them so that they are placed right sides together, matching them up evenly.

Trim the ends of the FOE to equal length.

Next you will sew a seam straight across to join the ends of the FOE. To do this, you will need to pull the FOE out away from the diaper cover, stretching it slightly, in order to make the joining seam as close as possible to the diaper cover. Sew the seam straight across at a right angle.

Trim the FOE ends to 1/4" and open out the seam.

Turn the back right side out and enclose the remaining edge of the diaper cover between the edges of the seamed FOE.

Then stitch the last section of FOE to the diaper cover, again using the three-step zig-zag.

Lock stitches, trim all loose threads and you are finished.

You may wish to double check that your leg elastic has been applied evenly before you proceed to adding snaps. To do this, fold the cover in half the long way, matching the wings on each side and compare the size of the leg openings. They should be equal and the gathering evenly distributed. If not, you may wish to readjust/reapply the foe as needed.

If the bindings match up evenly, your diaper covers are ready for closures. I prefer snap closures, but hook and loop tape may be substituted. All markings should have been transferred to the diaper wings and/or facings prior to construction (placement will be more accurate if you do this beforehand) but if you have not yet done so, transfer the markings now.

Next apply your snaps. Sockets go on the back wings, with the cap (flat portion) poking through from the inside to the outside and the socket ("female" half) secured to the right side of the cover.

Studs go on the front wings, with the cap piercing through from the outside to the insde and the stud ("male" half) secured to the inside of the wing.

This cover has three separate snap settings at top and bottom of each back wing and waist and leg openings can be adjusted separately. The pattern includes four snap settings, for even greater adjustability. You may choose to use more or fewer snap settings and have the option of adjusting the spacing if you desire.

Your diaper cover is complete. If desired, you may treat the diaper cover with a spray-on or wash-in waterproofing treatment to improve performance. This step is not necessary, but I find that it provides additional protection against wicking wetness. Waterproofing sprays are applied by spraying an even coating to the outside of the diaper cover (you may wish to repeat with a second coat in the crotch area , especially along the FOE binding where the greatest wetness occurs) then allowing the cover to dry completely. Heat set the spray by tumbling the air-dried covers in the dryer on high heat for 30 minutes. Then run them through a wash cycle to remove any residue or odor. The waterproofing treatments typically last for 20-25 washes, depending on your washing routine.

Please remember that all Chloe Toes patterns are copyrighted for personal use only. You may sew them for home use for your child or to give as gifts or donate to charity. However, using the patterns to create items for sale is explicitly prohibited by copyright. If you are interested in sewing Chloe Toes patterns for profit, please email to inquire about obtaining a cottage license.