Nappies

[Gwendolynn]

Hi all,
I've been on a Civil War hiatus for a few years, but now my husband has expressed interest in coming out and playing. My question isn't about men's attire, however, but rather our infant daughter's.

I read Elizabeth's article about dressing infants. It briefly mentioned cloth diapers (napkins, nappies, depending on where you're from). I have no fear of cloth diapering; Genevieve has been almost exclusively cloth diapered since 4 weeks old. Elizabeth mentioned that diapers were closed with ties, which makes sense. Were they flat folds with ties sewn at the top? Or is there any evidence that women sewed shaped diapers (similar to modern diaper service ones)? Does anyone know of any engravings or descriptions of diapers?

The diapers we use are far from authentic - they close with industrial velcro, have a waterproof outer layer and cute little animals on them! :D

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Gwendolynn Phillips

[ElizabethClark]

Re: Nappies

Gwendolynn, I've not seen shaped diapers at this point. The most common shapes seem to be either squares that are folded to the kite, then the triangle, or else sewn triangle shapes (a good way to get multiple layers) with the tapes sewn on. Do you have access to a copy of The Workwoman's Guide? It was published 1838, but researching infant clothes from about 1820 to the 1880s, the napkin shapes stay very, very consistent. There are good notes in WWG on making them at home; I consulted them heavily when writing up the instructions for the infant undergarments pattern.

Over the napkin can go a wool soaker; you might even look at some of the modern felted wool soakers for this use. Obviously, the industrial velcro ones are out. :)

[Gwendolynn]

Re: Nappies

Hi Elizabeth,
My mum has the WWG. I completely forgot to check that! I'll have to ask her to borrow it.

OK, a few more (maybe TOO specific) questions:
1. Type of fabric: flannel, canton flannel, birdseye, hemp? (although I doubt at this point that they were aware of hemp's antimicrobial qualities...)
2. Have you come across any reference to knitted soakers? I know they were popular by the early 20th century, and they are nice since they have some stretch.

Thanks for the timely reply!
Gwendolynn Phillips

[Virginia Mescher]

Re: Nappies

[QUOTE=Gwendolynn;71499]Hi Elizabeth,
My mum has the WWG. I completely forgot to check that! I'll have to ask her to borrow it.

OK, a few more (maybe TOO specific) questions:
1. Type of fabric: flannel, canton flannel, birdseye, hemp? (although I doubt at this point that they were aware of hemp's antimicrobial qualities...)
2. Have you come across any reference to knitted soakers? I know they were popular by the early 20th century, and they are nice since they have some stretch.


In The Seamstress: A Guide to Plain and Fancy Needlework, Baby Linen,
Millinery & Dressmaking, Embroidery & Lacework, Knitting, Netting &
Crochet-work, and Tatting (1843 and 1847) there was a large section on
infant clothing. Diapers were made from birdseye and were made with strings and a loop so pins were not needed. Directions for making the diapers were given in detail.

Soakers were not listed but pilchers were described in
detail. "These are sometimes called savers, and their use is to put over
the napkin [diaper] to prevent the wet from passing to their clothes, which
is very detrimental to the health of young children." Directions were
given for making them. I can post them if you are interested but it might not be until after the holiday weekend.

The Workman's Guide (1838) in reprint and online in Google Books and one of the Making of America sites. In the infant clothing section,
the band and pilcher was made from flannel but there was a large section on
knitting and listed some knitted items and had a fair number of knitted
items for everyone else.