Trainers help

[Jenn135]

I'm wanting to make some training pants for my DS. Has anyone tried babyville boutique patterns or have another that you like? I really like the style of grovia trainers. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[MyNameIsMama]

There are very few trainer patterns out there. None like grovia. I have the trimsies and the tinkle time trainer pattern. The directions are clearer on the trimsies pattern. I want to sell off the tinkle time trainer pattern since it looks more complicated and I don't have a ton of sewing experience. Darling diapers has one called potty dance pants but it looks super poofy. One problem I have found with trainer patterns is that they are very narrow in the crotch and would not fit a standard insert so you have to make your own. I gave up and am combing my favorite OS pattern with the trimsies pattern. Who knows if it will work or not but I am having the same problem as you. I do know that the Babyville trainer pattern is made by Krista from Rocketbottoms. I have three of her diaper patterns and they are my least favorite patterns, they just don't fit my DS right. I am assuming then the trainer pattern won't fit him either otherwise I would try it.

Kamsnaps did a trainer tutorial, it looks pretty good and has 4 parts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S2rrovD7T8

This one has no pattern, just dimensions
http://mama-or-minx.livejournal.com/12349.html

Let me know if you found anything better, I have been scouring the internet to get ideas and if you want to buy the tinkle time trainer pattern I will sell it to you for 8 bucks.

[Jenn135]

Thanks for your help! I am going to keep searching. I've thought about trying to make a pattern from a good trainer. I'm just not the best at things like that.

[NooneeWilga]

Whatever trainer pattern you decide on, there are some very important points to remember:
* fit around the legs is everything in a successful trainer. Too loose and you get leaks. Too tight and baby is uncomfortable.
* trainers must not feel too much like dipes or they will be treated like dipes. For this reason a feel damp inner layer is preferable.
* if you use lycra/elastane/spandex for side panels, you need to have good quality fabric that does not deteriorate rapidly. Good quality elasticated fabric can be expensive. Look in the dance fabrics sections of stores.
* width of crotch should be a lot less than on dipes, but still a bit wider than on regular underwear - for a balance between absorbency and trimness.
HTH

[jen_batten]

I really like the Tinkle Time Trainer pattern. It has several styles in the same pattern (pull up or snap sides, fold over elastic or fleece, ect) and fits my kiddos well.

[TrennaII]

I really don't like the look of the Babyville pattern, but I can't comment on the function or the instructions.

I ADORE the Tinkle Time Trainers pattern. It's an excellent value, as well, given all the options.

But honestly what I've been using is the free Katrina Soaker pattern, using fleece for the outside and snap-in absorbent inserts. You can google "Katrina Soaker" and it should come up. It just has fewer pieces than the TTT, so for our purpose (fleece) it sews up more quickly.

[Jenn135]

Thanks everyone! I'm making these a year in advance as I'm really slow with finishing projects. To be on the safe side, should I make several different kinds or is there a way to adjust if they don't fit my LO?

[jen_batten]

With the tinkle time trainer pattern you can do either snap elastic or buttonhole elastic inside the legs and waistband so they fit a pretty wide range of sizes. If you don't want to do that, you can make the snap trainer (which is a huge plus if you may have poop messes) and then you will have a couple options size wise. The only thing I would be concerned about making them that far ahead is the legs. Like a pp said, if the legs don't fit right it may effect the preformance of the trainer (aka, you may have seepage). My girls are skinny so I had to trim fleece around the legholes down to make it fit their legs snugly. Again, if you made it with snap elastic inside the fleece it wouldn't be an issue, but it is something to think about when you're sewing ahead.

I don't know what I'd do for sure size wise if I were sewing that far ahead...I'd probably do the snap trainer and consider adding elastic. I do think that it might be wise to sew a few different types of trainer if you aren't sure what you will prefer. You could do AIO, pocket, pull up, snap, waterproof, non-waterproof ect. You can always sell off the extras after you decide what you really like and what fits best on your LO.