As a WAHM I am often asked how I started making cloth diapers, what pushed me to go cloth, and where did I draw my inspiration from? It's simple really, but I'll start at the beginning.
Like most first time moms I had no idea of the choices I had for diapering my newborn baby, therefore like society likes to make us believe, disposable diapers were "IT", thinking cloth was a thing of the past. We imagined those flat flannel squares, pins and plastic covers, and the image was not appealing. As we grew up (I was 21 when I had my first child) and parenting became second nature, we started thinking about the waste these diapers were making. The rashes, the money spent on disposable diapers was a major turning point in going cloth, but it was imagining those 9000 disposable diapers my child was using in the first 2.5 yrs of her life, in my backyard, that did it for me.
How did it start? At the time we had no computer and no internet, we were living simply and frugally. I did what any frugal mom thought of doing; I cut up a few towels, and since I knew how to sew I designed my first cloth diaper. Let me tell you it wasn't pretty, and I was using pins (what's Velcro, or snaps??). But these babies worked, suddenly my daughter was rash free, and I was saving money!! Because colors, designs and art appeal to me, I set out to make the best fitting diaper for my baby girl. I wanted it to look snazzy and classy. A year or so after having designed my first cloth diaper (with every imaginable fabric and closure types out there), my husband and I decided to buy a computer and connect to the internet. As I started surfing around I was astonished to find out others were doing the same thing I was, and oh my there were all kinds of cloth diapers available, from all over the world! My first thought was WOW I'm so glad others are going cloth, because by then a was a huge Cloth diapering/babywearing advocate, and was selling locally. My second thought; How does one seperate oneself and stand out from all these diapers out there? My solution; You have to make a product that is made WELL, you have to work hard, have wonderful customer service. You have to advertise, stay connected online, and most important of all, you can't give up. There are going to be bumps along the way, being a WAHM is no easy feat! But it is intensely rewarding, and I wouldn't want to change anything.
My design has evolved since 2004, but somehow it has never strayed very far. It started with the front velcro turned and topstitch design, with elastics at the back and thighs (We all have to start somewhere, it wasn't perfect but it worked!).
Then on to the front snaps in early 2006 (see the leg casings, we have re-introduced the encased leg elastics with our trim fitteds in the Fall of 2007, bringing an old favorite back). Bet you didn't know The Cloth Canoe used to make front snapping diapers *wink*. There are not many out there as they were sold locally.
(We just love the fit!)
Like anything, diapers evolve, but using the same shape of my front snap design, I turned it into a side-snap diaper in the summer of 2006, due to loving the adjustability and custom fit from our side-snap testers.
Experimenting with a new T&T design at the end of the year 2006, but this time with ruffles. I liked the look of a serged diaper with ruffles, but wanted a custom fit and a different design to call mine.
Up until Sept 2007 we sold more of this design than any other kind. Our AI2s are still being made this way, see for yourself, the fit is amazing and so trim! These babies fit so well under a regular pair of jeans, they are our going out diaper of choice.
In Sept 2007 I re-introduced the encased elastics like the ones I had first made in 2004, into a trim fitted that would appeal to the consumer. The concept was not new as hundreds of diapers have been made with the encased elastic since the 90s, but for me I was returning to a design I had come up with with no help from the internet or examples of other diapers out there.
At the same time I found that there was a high demand for a good absorbant nightime diaper, and designed an organic cotton bamboo fleece luxurious nightime fitted, with decorative stitching. Trim fit yet extremely absorbant with over 12 layers of thirsty layers. They went through a testing phase and were put for sale in my Hyenacart . A contest was put up for a good name for the diaper, and Twilight Canoe was picked as the most fitting. This diaper that follows was the first one ever sold on my HC.
With new sewing machines being made and a hundred different stitchings available, many WAHMs are starting to take advantage of these stitches. Because I love trying something new on my designs I used a wavy stitch on my elastic casings for recent diapers. Upon stumbling across a popular diaper (Fussybutt) who has the same feature on the leg elastics, I found this was not something new and has been done for a while, and while browsing HC I have come upon many who use this as a leg casing decorative, and in turn not making this feature unique. The phrase "Great minds think alike" applies well here.
When you look at the hundreds of diapers, covers, knit longies, clothing, etc there are out there, it is hard to be unique and to stand out. Cloth diapers have evolved and there can be found thousands of designs out there. If you make a high quality product with attention to detail, and add a spice of great customer service, with a dash of courtesy and respect for others, you've got a winning combo, and you are bound to succeed. The internet can be a haven for WAHMs who come together to share and create, but it can also be a trying and sometimes harsh place too. Like real life situations, some people relish creating discord. It is easy to forget there are real people on the other side of the screen, and as a small home-based business some people think they can take advantage of the business owner. It is tough and hard to distance yourself enough to not be affected by these, but in the end it has to just roll off your back :-) .
As for inspiration, ahhh, that can be found anywhere. My child inspired me to make something that is healthy for her, and much better for the environment. I see inspiration in fabric, and in my husband who encourages me even though it is trying being a WAHM's husband. I am inspired by the need to make a quality product, and want it to be better than the last. We are growing immensely in this venture, it is truly a blessing!
Here's to a glimpse into the designing stages of a WAHM's venture. It took quite a few years to come to where I am today, but it is not over yet. Each designer goes through ups and downs and bouts of wanting to give up, as well as huge highs that make you feel like nothing will ever touch you :) . For something that was first a hobby and a way to be frugal, I never imagined I'd get such joy and appreciation out of my work!
