What are wool longies and why do I want a pattern for them? Well first this is more of a tutorial than a straight up pattern. Secondly wool longies are the term for wool pants for babies and toddlers that can be used as a diaper cover. DIY wool diaper covers really help to keep the cost of cloth diapering down, preserve resources and look so stinking cute!
As with many things in my life, my good friend Rebekah first told me about them, and I was intrigued. But also like many things it took me a year or two to get to the point where I felt like I could handle adding something else to my routine.
Once I started using them however, I realized that instead of adding work they helped to save work for me. Yes, you have to wash them separately, but it is super easy (I show you how here). However, these double as pants which means less laundry overall and for me a bid bonus during our cold winters here in northern Michigan since my baby/toddler stays that much warmer.
Can I Use A Sweater That Is Not 100% Wool?
Yes you can. To explain why 100% wool is best we should talk about why we use wool in the first place. Why is wool a great choice for a diaper cover?
- Wool wicks moisture away from the skin making your baby feel more comfortable.
- Wool is also a natural fiber so it does not shed micro-plastics that the synthetic fibers do.
- Wool is also anti-microbial which is especially great when we are talking about a diaper cover.
- Wool when lanoline is applied to it is water resistant.
However wool is not the only type of fabric that can be used. Acrylic can also be used. It has its issues being that it is synthetic but it totally works in a pinch. Wool blends work great for diaper covers I prefer blends that are over 50% wool but sometimes I will go under that.
As you can see from the tag of the tan pair of wool longies is far from being 100% wool. This pair will be a light weight pair of longies. Remember that wool can be under different names.
- Wool
- Lambswool
- Cashmere
- Merino Wool
- Virgin Wool
How Do I Find Wool Sweaters?
I find the best luck looking for wool sweaters in the means department at resale stores. Also look for classic looking sweaters. Think LL Bean, Lands End etc. Once you practice looking for them you will be able to pick them out easier and easier.
Does This Method Work For Larger Sizes Of Wool Longies?
It does as long as you have a large enough sweater to start with. Remember that you will have to felt your sweater first which will shrink it quite a bit. However if you find a men’s XL or XXL sweater you should be able to make up to a size 5 or 6 which depending on how fast your children grow that should be plenty big.
How To Prep Wools Sweaters To Make Wool Longies Pattern
Basically you do almost everything the opposite of what I tell you to do when you wash it. To prep your sweater/sweaters place them into your washing machine and wash them on a hot cycle without soap, then dry on a hot cycle. Repeat 2 times. This should hopefully shrink down your sweater as much as it will go down.
How To Make A DIY Wool Diaper Cover- Wool Longies Pattern
Measuring For Your DIY Diaper Cover
Once you have your sweater prepped measure your baby. Measure from the ankle to where you want it to end on the stomach. Or you can measure the inseam you want (this can be from an existing pair of pants) then measure the rise. The rise is the measurement from where you want the cover to end in the front around between the legs to where you want it to end in the back.
Once you have this measurement measure the arm of you sweater make sure it is long enough. Cut at the desired length and repeat on the other side.
Measure how long the cuff is on the bottom of the sweater. Subtract that measurement from your rise length. With your now reduced rise length measure that on the seam of the sleeves and using either scissors or a seam ripper open up the seam that far. If you are not sure try opening up the seam 3″-4″.
Sewing Your DIY Diaper Cover
Place on sleeve inside the other with right sides together. If you are anything like me this might take a few tries. Once the right sides are together line up the edges of the sleeve where you cut down the seam. Sew them together using a zig-zag stitch. Using the same color thread if possible.
Once your are done sewing pull the one leg out from the other one and try them on your baby. If the rise is not tall enough but there is plenty of length in the leg, simply open up the seam of the sleeve more and sew again.
Next cut off the bottom cuff of the sweater and while stretching it as much as possible measure it to the top of your longies. Cut off the correct amount and sew into a loop. Sew loop onto the top of the wool longies using a zig-zag stich matching up the back seam with the seam on the cuff. Try it on your baby again.
If it fits as desired clip threads, lanolise them and you are good to go. If it is still to loose in the waist you can either put some elastic in the back. I like to make mine long so that they double as socks for my babies.
Other Posts You Might Be Interested In:
How To Wash Wool Diaper Covers
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