Boise Cloth Diapers: Equipment Needed for Sewing Cloth Diapers

BOISE CLOTH DIAPERS
A Reference Website for the Treasure Valley in Idaho

WHAT EQUIPMENT WILL I NEED FOR SEWING CLOTH DIAPERS?

Sewing Machine If you don't already have a sewing machine, you will need to get one. Don't go and buy the cheapest machine you can find at WalMart. You don't need to spend one thousand dollars either, but try to find a good one. Go to a sewing machine shop and ask if they have any trade-ins, you can get more machine for your money if you buy a used one. You could also check the classifieds for a used machine. If buying a machine is out of the question (or if you know you would never use it again), see if you can borrow one from a friend.

Fabric Scissors You will need a good pair of sharp fabric scissors. Don't ever cut anything but fabric with your scissors. If you cut anything else, you will dull the blades. Keep these hidden from your husband and children!

Serger A serger is a nifty machine that will sew the cloth together, trim off the excess fabric, and bind & finish the edges with a nice overcast stitch. Having a serger is not necessary, but it will make your diapers look more professional. It also makes diaper sewing a lot faster! Many diaper patterns out there are made for sergers. If you don't have one, look for patterns that say "no serger needed". You can do mock-serger stitches on a regular machine (a close zig-zag on the edges) if you want to. If you do want to buy a serger, check the classifieds or the trade-ins at the sewing machine shop first. You can get a decent used serger for about $200-$300. Do some research on different brands and styles before you make a purchase.
Note: A serger cannot replace a sewing machine. Sergers have very limited stitch options. You cannot use them for things like sewing in elastic or attaching hook and loop closures. You will need to have a regular sewing machine for sewing diapers.

Snap Press You will need to have a heavy-duty snap press if you want to put plastic snaps on your diapers or covers. I have not found these presses locally, you are going to have to buy one online. The press and the necessary dies will run you about $90 total, plus shipping. You can get a snap press at the One Stop Diaper Shop or at The Snap Store. You can also get a snap press from Serena in China. Her website is a little odd, but she has great customer service, great prices, and free shipping!
If you want to use plastic snaps without spending $90 on a snap press, check out this list at the One Stop Diaper Shop. These women will put snaps on your diaper for a nominal fee (plus shipping). There aren't any Boiseans on the list, but you might be able to talk one of our local diaper vendors into putting snaps on your diapers.

Metal Snap Setter Plastic snaps are the standard in cloth diapers, but it is possible to use metal snaps. The snaps are more expensive, but the snap-setting tool will cost you only $9.00 (instead of $90.00!). There is some concern that metal snaps may not hold up very well when exposed to urine. If you do use metal snaps, use good snaps that can take abuse without falling off in the wash. The best metal snaps you can buy are The Snap Source snaps.

Sewing Machine	If you don't already have a sewing machine, you will need to get one. Don't go and buy the cheapest machine you can find at WalMart. You don't need to spend one thousand dollars either, but try to find a good one. Go to a sewing machine shop and ask if they have any trade-ins, you can get more machine for your money if you buy a used one. You could also check the classifieds for a used machine. If buying a machine is out of the question (or if you know you would never use it again), see if you can borrow one from a friend.
Fabric Scissors	You will need a good pair of sharp fabric scissors. Don't ever cut anything but fabric with your scissors. If you cut anything else, you will dull the blades. Keep these hidden from your husband and children!
Serger	A serger is a nifty machine that will sew the cloth together, trim off the excess fabric, and bind & finish the edges with a nice overcast stitch. Having a serger is not necessary, but it will make your diapers look more professional. It also makes diaper sewing a lot faster! Many diaper patterns out there are made for sergers. If you don't have one, look for patterns that say "no serger needed". You can do mock-serger stitches on a regular machine (a close zig-zag on the edges) if you want to. If you do want to buy a serger, check the classifieds or the trade-ins at the sewing machine shop first. You can get a decent used serger for about $200-$300. Do some research on different brands and styles before you make a purchase. Note: A serger cannot replace a sewing machine. Sergers have very limited stitch options. You cannot use them for things like sewing in elastic or attaching hook and loop closures. You will need to have a regular sewing machine for sewing diapers.
Snap Press	You will need to have a heavy-duty snap press if you want to put plastic snaps on your diapers or covers. I have not found these presses locally, you are going to have to buy one online. The press and the necessary dies will run you about $90 total, plus shipping. You can get a snap press at the One Stop Diaper Shop or at The Snap Store. You can also get a snap press from Serena in China. Her website is a little odd, but she has great customer service, great prices, and free shipping! If you want to use plastic snaps without spending $90 on a snap press, check out this list at the One Stop Diaper Shop. These women will put snaps on your diaper for a nominal fee (plus shipping). There aren't any Boiseans on the list, but you might be able to talk one of our local diaper vendors into putting snaps on your diapers.
Metal Snap Setter	Plastic snaps are the standard in cloth diapers, but it is possible to use metal snaps. The snaps are more expensive, but the snap-setting tool will cost you only $9.00 (instead of $90.00!). There is some concern that metal snaps may not hold up very well when exposed to urine. If you do use metal snaps, use good snaps that can take abuse without falling off in the wash. The best metal snaps you can buy are The Snap Source snaps.