Classic RRP (Rita's Rump Pocket) pattern.

This pattern is a one-size fits most flannel fitted pocket pattern that does not have closures. It fits tiny babies to large toddlers and is very trim. It is a very simple fast diaper to sew up and you can find everything you need to make one at your local Walmart or fabric store. Did I mention that RRPs are also reversible? Use cute prints as the outer and the inner, and you have two cute looks with one diaper.


Above is the RRP on a baby and a toddler.


Here you can see how folding down the front of the RRP makes the rise shorter for smaller babies. The fleece covers pictured on here are made from the Mile High Monkeys pattern which I can't find any more.

Here is the free downloadable RRP PDF pattern.

Rita's Rump Cover



Here is my free PDF pattern for a one-size fits most fleece/wool wrap cover for diapers. I hope you enjoy it! This cover is very trim and probably won't fit over bulky fitted diapers, but it works great over RRPs (seen below) and pinned/trifolded prefolds. For more specific directions than you see below, click on the RRP pattern link. I have detailed instructions in that PDF on how to sew the RRP diaper, and you can use those directions on this cover pattern and just eliminate the back pocket opening and add waist elastic and aplix. You can also make this into a AIO pocket (basically a RRP with velcro and a water resistant cover built in).
********************************************
THIS PATTERN DOES NOT HAVE A SEAM ALLOWANCE ADDED! DRAW AROUND THE PATTERN WITH YOUR FABRIC PEN, THEN WHEN YOU CUT THE FABRIC OUT LEAVE THE AMOUNT OF SEAM ALLOWANCE YOU LIKE TO SEW WITH (1/4 - 1/2 INCH OR WHATEVER YOU LIKE, IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE EXACT AND JUST WING IT!). THEN SEW ON THE LINE. IT IS THAT EASY.

********************************************
You can also use this pattern to make AIO (all-in-one, means a diaper with a cover built in) or AIO pocket diapers with aplix if you want. You can sew an opening in the back and stuff it with an insert if you use microfleece, suedecloth or cotton as the inner or lay-in a trifolded infant PF. You can use PUL as the outer, or even fleece wings and a PUL body. As is, this pattern will not fit tiny babies and you will have to extend the wings or aplix tabs for super big kids. I would suggest using only stretchy fabrics, but if you don't than make sure you extend the back wings.


I make these front-closing Aplix. Just sew an approx. 6 inch strip of loop on the front about 1/2 inch down after sewing the cover together. Cut off the sharp edges so they can't rub baby! I also use special Granny-Jamma aplix tabs (named in honor of their creator on Diaper Sewing Divas ). To make these tabs you cut 2 pieces of loop and 2 pieces of hook the same size for your tabs (1.5 - 2 inches long or so, and curved like the pics above). Then sew one piece of loop to one piece of hook, catching cotton/poly piping between the layers. Sew on the loop side and zigzag down the piping. This leaves a soft edge that resists pilling. Sew your tabs on the diaper before turning, between the layers, with the loop sides facing the outer fabric. These make great cross-over tabs. It is important to use extended aplix tabs on this cover if you want it to fit.

********************************************
You can use any fleece to make these covers. I love minkee on the outside and microfleece on the inner, but you can use any fleece you find at Joann's, Hobby Lobby, Walmart, etc. These are two layer covers so you might want to combine thicker fleece with thinner to make the cover more trim. You can also use 2 layers of microfleece.
********************************************
I like doing these with seam allowance elastic added before turning and then topstitching everything but where the leg elastic is sewn. You can also make casings or do blind or faux blind elastic. Make sure to sew these covers with poly thread! When I sew my elastic in the seam allowance I sew it on the outer fabric side (when inside out, before turning) on the legs, and on the inner fabric side for the waist. I prefer the legs to roll in slightly to contain poop, and for the back to sit against the back. If you sew the back elastic to the outer fabric side then sometimes it tries to roll in and that can be uncomfortable. The yellow cover pictured above has seam allowance elastic, and the blue one has blind elastic and thus ruffles. Both methods work great, with the seam allowance elastic making the cover a bit more trim. I usually use Stretchrite knit elastic in 1/4 - 3/8 inch sizes. These can also be made with Lastin.



Download link HERE!

Want a Velcro/Aplix closing AIO pocket?

It has come to my attention that many people need diapers that close by aplix (the diaper version of velcro, and can only be ordered online - Cheap and worth it!), especially for their babysitters and husbands. Not everyone is willing/able to pin diapers, and sometimes pins are a bit hazardous around those wiggly little babies.

So here is your solution. Make a Rita's Rump Cover, but make the back an open pocket like a RRP (if you don't use elastic in the back you probably won't even have to unstuff your pocket when you wash as the insert should wiggle out if the opening is wide enough) and use microfleece/suedecloth or any cotton fabric (flannel/cotton fleece/cotton interlock/sherpa/cotton knit/etc.) as the inner and PUL (waterproof) or fleece (water resistant) as the outer fabric.

If you want elastic in the back, then cut a 1 inch flap of fabric on the outer fabric, just outside of the back elastic points. Before you pin the outer to the inner to sew it together, 3-step zigzag in your elastic on the outer wrong side on your elastic points, just below the flap you cut out. Then turn the flap over to cover the elastic and sew the edges down with a straight stitch (you are making an elastic casing). Then between the elastic points on your inner fabric, don't put in elastic, but instead turn down the fabric approximately 1/2 inch or so and then zigzag the edges down. Pin the diaper, wrong sides together, and starting on on edge of the back pocket, sew all around the diaper, stopping at the other side of the pocket. Turn through the pocket and topstitch (if wanted).





If you don't want back elastic, then just turn both fabrics to the wrong side about 1/2 inch and zigzag the edges, pin, and sew them wrong sides together.
Leg Elastic

If you use a poly inner (microfleece or suedecloth) you can make the elastic roll in or out in the legs, do casings, or even do ruffles. It does not matter since the poly inner should not wick moisture out.

If you use cotton as the inner you need the inner cotton fabric to roll in so that wetness will not wick out. To do this, cut the outer fabric (fleece or PUL) about 1/2 inch wider between the leg elastic points on both sides (curve it gradually back to the normal line where the elastic points are). This makes the outer fabric a bit bigger on the sides.

When you pin the outer to the inner, just line everything up. Your outer will be a little puffy, and this extra fabric will allow the outer to roll in slightly when the diaper is on, preventing wicking. When you sew in your elastic, you will want to sew it in the seam allowance of the outer fabric, before turning. This will help the outer to roll in. You don't want any cotton inner peeking out anywhere when the diaper is on, so you will probably also want to topstitch the diaper (with poly thread if possible) and as you are topstitching, make sure that the outer fabric everywhere (including the wings) rolls under a bit so no inner cotton fabric is exposed to the outside. This is easier than it sounds and very important to have a diaper that won't make baby's clothing wet.

The easiest AIO (All In One) pocket diaper adaption of the Rita's Rump Cover is use thick faux or real minkee or regular fleece for the outer and microfleece or suedecloth for the inner and stitch all around, cut an opening (3-4 inches) in the inner from left to right either in the front or back to turn the diaper, and use this opening to stuff your pocket once turned. Poly knit fabrics like microfleece do not fray, so no need to finish the cut. You only need a few inches since microfleece is stretchy and makes the diaper super easy to stuff. You can also do this with cotton or cotton/poly sherpa or cotton knit fabrics like velour since they do not fray either. However, you always need to finish the edges of flannel or other woven fabrics.





The Rita's Rump Cover adapted this way makes a really trim pocket. This won't fit tiny babies, but it should fit a baby who is a few months old, and my 3 year old can also fit in one as long as the outer and inner fabrics are stretchy (fleece outer/knit poly or cotton inner). You can also use this as a cover with trifolded PFs, so it is an AI2 (All In 2), a pocket or cover.

Any questions/suggestions please leave a comment right here, and I will try to answer it!

Franken Bun AIO - Modification of the RRP pattern created by kbstanley3

Here is the latest addition to the RRP pattern family. This modification was created by brilliant kbstanley3 on Diaper Sewing Divas and generously turned into a PDF file by yellowhibiscus. These are the directions to turn your basic flannel RRP into a All-In-One (AIO) diaper (with or without a pocket). You use fleece on the wings and PUL on the body. You still have the stretch of the wings due to the fleece (which you can still pin), with the waterproofness of the PUL where it counts. You can use up scrap PUL and fleece with this wonderful method.

Download the PDF file here.

RRP Adaption 1001, Contour or "Mini" Diapers

A nice woman from the Diaper Sewing Diva Message Board  emailed me the other day and made a great suggestion about a RRP contour diaper. A contour or "mini" diaper is basically a diaper without wings or closures, but does have leg elastic to contain messes. You just lay these diapers into a diaper cover that closes with aplix or snaps (not a pull-up cover) and then put it on your baby. Easy enough even for babysitters!

If you don't want to pin your RRPs, just fold down the front and back wings toward the back of the diaper , and then place it into a wrap cover (like a Bummis Super Whisper Wrap or Rita's Rump Cover) and put it on your baby. Or place the diaper with wings extended into your cover, place baby on top, wrap the RRP wings around like you are going to pin it on baby, and close the cover. If the cover fits well it should not slip at all. The RRP works better than a trifolded PF because it has leg elastic, can be stuffed as much as you want, is made of cute fabric, and is reversible.


You can also adapt the RRP classic pattern by sewing them without front and back wings.



Great suggestion! Please keep them coming.

Places To Buy Diaper-Making Supplies

Here is the list of my favorite places to shop for diaper-making supplies.

http://www.sewzannes.com/ (great fabric, love the 80% cotton velour, 91% sherpa, PUL, Aplix)
http://www.diapercuts.com/ (great PUL, Aplix)
http://www.celticclothswholesale.com/ (great organic cotton fleece)

Joann's and Hancock storefronts (great faux minkee, fleece, microfleece, flannel, cotton print woven, etc.)

Tired of RRPs and Want Something New?

Support Diapering WAHMs! Buy Patterns! You can never have too many diaper patterns after all.

Darling Diapers Patterns:
http://www.darlingdiapers.com/ (LOVE these patterns!)
FattyCakes Diaper pattern: $5, super cute diaper, ask about it over at Diaper Sewing Divas http://diaperdivas.proboards57.com/index.cgi
Kayla's Cloth Kits: She has a One-Size aplix diaper that looks great, plus tons of other wonderful stuff http://hyenacart.com/kaylasclothkits/
DiaperKit: Diaper kits, great prices and they look really cute, great reviews, http://www.diaperkit.com/catalog/
Little Comet Tails: diaper, pants and soaker patterns, they are pretty new and I have heard great things about them http://hyenacart.com/LittleCometTails/index.php?c=9
Mile High Monkeys: Love the soaker and pants patterns, http://milehighmonkeys.com/shopping.aspx
Dandelion Dreamers: Crochet and knit diaper covers/soakers/pants/etc. Great especially for night! I have many Dandelion Dreamer soakers and I love them.
http://www.dandeliondreamers.com/

If you know of any you want to share, please email me and I will post links!