SoftBums Leg Elastic Replacement

Ok, I suppose I could have picked a better color to do this tutorial onnrather than white, but I think it is easy enough to see, if there are problems let me know and I can re-do the tutorial with contrast thread.

So, this is a DIY on how to replace your LEG elastic in your SoftBums.

What you'll need:

Seam ripper/Little Scissors

Sewing machine that can do a simple straight stitch

Replacement kit from SoftBums (check your toggles and tell them if you need new toggles too) or
1/4" BRAIDED elastic 2-15" pieces

Small safety pin

Step 1:

Using your seam ripper cut about every other stitch.  

 Again, whenever possible I recommend you seam rip on the microfleece side to be sure you don't poke holes in your PUL.  Clip the stitches going across (on top in below pic) and down the elastic casing about 1".  Do this on each leg.

Step 2:

Cut your old elastic off, and remove toggles. 

Then

Flip your diaper inside out through the toggle access in the front (yes it USUALLY fits).  Be gentle and go slow.  When you get to the HnL tabs fold them and slide them through individually.  If your diaper has an extra small access hole, you may need to use your seam ripper and cut it just a little bit so you can flip it.  If you do this, just edge stitch it back up when your done, back stitching at the ends (See HnL replacement).

This is what it looks like flipped inside out.  Weird I know. 

Step 3

With your diaper inside out find where the ends of the elastic are.  Where you cut your seams on the outside.  Gently pull and you should see the seam pulling apart.  Use your seam ripper and finish opening the end of the leg casing.  Open this enough so you can get in there with your machine and tack your new elastic on in the same spot.  

This is how the old elastic is sewn into the diaper.  It is NOT only sewn in with the seam on the outside, it is tacked to the seam allowance on the inside (great construction by SoftBums, bad for us to try to replace).  Use your seam ripper and remove this.

Tip: pull the elastic out of the casing so it is hanging by this seam.  Flip it over so you can see the bottom of the elastic and the stitches that go from it to the seam allowance.  It is easier to get in here to clip the stitches than to try to get them all from the top.  

 Step 4:

Tack your new elastic on with your machine.  Back stitch 2-3x so it won't pull off.

Step 5:

Thread the new elastic through from the back to the front.  Use a small safety pin (small enough to fit through the taper in the front of the diaper.  

TIP: thread the elastic through on the side with the microfleece not the PUL, it will slide easier.  Once you have it threaded through make sure your elastic is laying flat.  It will be much less frustrating to fix that now than when you're trying to diaper a baby.  

 Step 6:

Sew the casing closed.  Be sure you sew over the top of the end of the elastic.  Double stitch it 2-3 times, make your pivot corner and back stitch over the free end of the thread you cut.  This will keep it from unraveling later.

 Done!  New stretchy elastic!! 

Tried it?  Problems?  Need help?  ASK!!! PLEASE!!!!