First let me say that not all of my dolls are cloth. I have 3 grandchildren that are the life of my creativity. The youngest one is now starting to potty learn and needed training pants. Now he has been cloth diapered from the start and of course we needed cloth training pants, well a quick look see said nothing store bought was gonna work for us. I was looking for the gerber training pants of years ago and could not find them. I found 1 lonely pair at a yard sale and decided to use that for inspiration. Well they worked for us and recently I was part of a discussion on a group for cloth diapers and they asked for pictures so there they are with the step by steps, I hope this helps someone.
- 1. Find a pattern. There are several free trainer patterns online, I happen to like Easter Bunz free trainer pattern but almost any will work. If you want to use Easter Bunz you can download it. Print your pattern and assemble it as instructed.
- 2. Measure from the center of your pattern in 2″ and mark a line. On my pattern this allows just over 1/4″ in the crouch area. This allows the sides to remain one piece, this is important so adjust as needed on your pattern.
- 3. Cut a strip of PUL or Fleece that is 4 1/2″ wide and as long as your trainer pattern is. Also cut a 4 1/2″ strip of your inner fabric, this can be a wicking fabric or flannel or even a knit interlock. I used an interlock in this example.
- 4. Cut the pattern you marker earlier on the 2″ line.
- 5. Pin the adjusted pattern piece to your side fabric, I like interlock knits for this as they have the stretch to pull up and down on the child.
- 6. Pin the inner edges of the “wings” to the long side of the PUL strip you cut earlier with right sides together and stitch with 1/4″ seam allowance. Repeat for opposite side.
- 7. Fold wings back toward the center, and place the 4 1/2″ strip of inner fabric right sides together matching raw edges and stitch both long sides with 1/4″ seam.
,insert your hand into tube and turn right side out.
- 8. Compile your Soaker. In this example I used a cotton terry with 6 layers, but microfiber, hemp or a combination could be used. For ease I make mine as long as the trainer is but short ones could be used if you added a tail to them to extend it the length of the trainer. The point being that something attached to the soaker extends to the ends of the trainer to be caught in the waist band.
- 9. For a pullups style trainer, you will add FOE (ribbed knit or lycra can be used) at this point and closures (Snaps or touch tape, etc). And your done! If you are looking for non-side opening pants continue on.
- 10. For traditional training pants add side seams with 1/4″ seams.
- 11. Add FOE or Ribbing to the leg openings to bring them to the size of the childs legs. repeat for waist.
Congratulations on finishing the trainers, I hope you like this style as much as we do!
may I keep this? I’d like to post it in my livejournal, and post a link of where this came from. Is that alright with you?
yes you may! Thanks and if you like you can post the link to your site here
You did exactly what i have been thinking for a while…..but you do it so well! You never fail to impress me.
Take care!
Hi. just wondering how you got your soaker material in the tube? Did you cut your layers at 4″ wide then stuff them inside? Or did you lay them in before turning the tube? What works best? thanks for your help! PS – I am looking forward to trying these out – I have made the easterbunz trainers for my daughter but find they make her a bubble butt 
This looks better.
I fold my soaker layers about 3 1/2″ wide, you can cut them and serge or baste the edges if you want to but its not needed. What I did was use terry and I took a piece as long as the rise of the trainers and 28″ wide, folded it in half to make it 14 inches wide, then in half again. Its 7 inches wide and 4 layers thick, fold that in half and it slides through at 3 1/2 inches. Just run your hand through the tube and grab it pull your hand back through and your soaker is in place.
If the easter bunz made a bubble butt (which I happen to think is cute cute but does not work well under clothes) you can adjust the width of the pattern by taking out fabric through the middle and on the sides. Alternatively use a different trainer pattern and apply the same technique to it. Wee Waka comes to mind, it wont blouse like the easter bunz does but will still work useing this technique since you are still allowing the knit to stretch.