Back in the Saddle Again- Cloth Diapering.

Whew!  It's been a long time since I've posted, and a lot has changed!  Since that post a million years ago, we have been on a very interesting journey with cloth diapers.  We wanted to use them when Nora was born, but the brand we bought just wasn't working for us.  We were dealing with constant leaks, and her clothes had to be changed as often as the diapers.  Then, when we found out we were moving to Montana and coin-op laundry, we were done.  I just wasn't willing to wash dirty diapers in a washer that I couldn't control.

Not long after we returned to Utah, I decided to dive back in to cloth diapering to save money.  I had already sold our previous stash and knew I couldn't fork over the money for a new one, so I started doing some research.  Diaperswappers.com became my best friend as I read about all the different types, styles, and fabrics used for cloth diapers.  I found a pattern for pocket fitted diapers that I knew I could make with some old t-shirts, but fitted diapers need a cover. I became very interested when I read about using wool as a diaper cover.  Several women had found wool sweaters at thrift stores and sewn them into diaper covers.  I couldn't believe that wool could be waterproof enough for a diaper cover, but the refashionista inside of me decided to give it a try.

To my surprise, amazement, and delight, it worked!  The wool was so soft and cuddly (Nora started asking for her "soft pants" rather early on) and we had ZERO leaks!  I fell absolutely in love with wool, and started making some extra diaper covers to sell in my Etsy shop.  All in all, I was able to put together a whole new stash for around twenty bucks plus a little elbow grease, and before I knew it we were in cloth full time.

Well, when Joey was born things changed a little.  Two in cloth diapers was a little too much for me- heck, two KIDS was a little too much!- and I took a break.  But then one day a miracle happened!  Nora was potty trained!  With only one in diapers I was anxious to get back to cloth, and I am loving it.

When I first started cloth diapering it was strictly to save money.  I thought it was something that I could endure so we didn't have to drop thirty bucks at a time on diapers, but it became something I genuinely enjoy and believe in.  I love how much it cuts down on our garbage.  I love how much less stinky it is (really!).  I love the knowledge that I am putting all natural fibers on my baby.  I even love the fluffy bubble butt!

So many of us are trying to save money.  So many of us are trying to make choices that are healthier for our children and for the environment.  And I know that so many of us don't know where to start! I want to use this blog as a space to share resources and what I've learned about cloth diapering- especially on the cheap.  So please, come back often, and don't be afraid to ask questions or share some wisdom of your own!

A Post of Projects Past

I hope you'll bear with me- we'll probably have a lot of these! I'd really like to have one central location for all my projects (or at least the ones that turn out . . . ) so here we go!

My gateway drug into refashioning was a pair of pajamas for my little girl made out of an old shirt of my sister's.

Before:


After:


The process was a lot simpler than I thought it would be. The pants are the sleeves off the shirt with an extra triangle in the back to accommodate a diapered bum, and they have a knit waistband (my FAVORITE thing!) For the top, I simply took one of her onesies apart and that became my pattern. I trimmed the edges in fold-over elastic, which I think TOTALLY takes the scariness out of hemming knits. Anyhow, this was seven months ago, and she still wears them. And Mommy is officially addicted to refashioning.

Welcome!

I have been wanting to start a blog that can be all about my sewing creations, and now that I'm opening an Etsy shop I figure it's time to do it! Why "The Last Minute Boutique?" Well, that all started one Sunday morning when I was (once again) snipping the threads from a new dress for my little girl approximately 10 minutes before church started. When an idea hits me, I have to try it out NOW! As my husband watched me finish up, he said, "If you ever open a store, you have to call it The Last Minute Boutique."
I liked that- it sums up what I do perfectly! I have gotten totally swept up in the refashioning movement. I love to take discarded clothes, look at them in a new way, and give them a new life. This type of sewing is perfect for my now Now NOW personality. I get professional seam finishes, pleats, buttons, and appliques built into my fabrics! I have the freedom to run wild with my creativity without stressing over how much the fabric I just cut into cost. If an idea doesn't work, I scrap it. If it does, I try it again, make a legit pattern, and tweak and perfect it. (I really am capable of spending time on a project- I just have to fall in love with it first!)
So there you go. I hope you enjoy seeing the results of my haphazard creative energy as much as I love taking pictures of it!