In 1952 this snazzy new idea was first patented, a lady by the name of Heller Max thought of this amazing way to adjust the length of the elastic area making each size fit a bigger range of people. US Patent 1672017 shows the she invented button adjustments to fit securly unto a waist band to give the item an exact fit. This new way to adjust waists with an elastic strip secured by buttons was soon picked up by most major clothing companies and today we still use this idea focused especially now on children's apparel.
In early 2005 this now older idea became innovative when it was used in the cloth diaper industry. The company Mother's Eve was born and used the adjustable elastic idea to pull the rise of the diaper from bigger to small thus eliminating the adjustable snaps that clutter the front of the one size diaper. Although this diaper was a wonderful idea, it closed with a large piece of Velcro that some felt was bulky and unfortunately it fell by the way side.
To find the next adjustable elastic diaper you must follow me half way around the world We will land in New Zealand where Baby Cheeks has developed, marketed and now has a patent on the adjustable leg elastic diaper. As a side note Rocky Mountain Diaper will never be sold or marketed to anyone in New Zealand or Australia in respect of their patent. They are a beautiful diaper with very cute trim like none we have ever seen.
Back in the USA, this idea is now spreading farther, In 2006 a company called Precious Dignity put in adjustable legs in its Clover Fitted Diaper, the diaper adjusts using buttons hole elastic to fine tune the leg fit. It also is the first diaper to have a replaceable leg elastic capabilities. While some might be concerned about sewn on buttons, there is no need to worry about that, Clover has hidden the elastic adjustments into a secure compartment that has no access for children and can be replaced easily. They also have a almost unheard of warranty that will out last not only the diaper but will still be active when you child goes off to college. This is a diaper worth checking out!
Sarah Van Bogart of SoftBums has been in the diaper making business for years now. She realized there was a real need for a diaper that fit all shapes. She soon started to perfecting her original SoftBums diaper and after many testers and lots of patterns she found the prefect fit! This Perfect Fit diaper uses elastic adjustments in the leg that holds tight. She is soon hoping to ramp up production and offer her diaper to retailers so more babies will be able to enjoy a "perfect fit." To check out these great diaper click here.
In 2007 I found out I was expecting again and couldn't wait to cloth diaper the new baby. After modifying several diapers that I had with this type of elastic casing I just decided to try a go at it and make my own. My little diaper soon became popular in my social circle and I found inspiration in our own backyard and named the diapers after the beautiful mountain range we call home. Although I wish I could say that our leg elastic was originally the one of Rocky Mountain Diapers, you can see, we are just a part of the ever expanding companies using the adjustable elastic idea of Heller Max.- Provided by Tracie Whittemore, owner of Rocky Mountain Diapers
44 comments:
I am NOT a fan of the OS diapers covered in snaps so I'm very excited to learn so much about the other options! (And I had no idea the "technology" went back so far - I wonder why more companies don't incorporate it into their diapers?) Thanks for the info! :)
Great history lesson! I love the ruffly leg openings on the rocky mountain diapers and the fact that the adjustments are hidden seem pretty cool.
So interesting to see the different ideas for adjustable diapers! Had to google Rocky Mountain Diapers to find out more! Is Kelly's Closet going to be carrying their diapers- they are really cute, and look like they would be an easy OS system to use!
The Momma: We will carry them VERY SOON!!!! So, stay tuned!!!!!! =)
Very intresting... I like the history behind it. I might have to try one of those out:)
Oh, so THAT'S how she got the adjustable leg gussets! Why didn't I think of that? Hahaha
I liked reading about how the adjustable waist bands started. We have to buy my older dd jeans with those in them.
I am really excited that FB started making an adjustable diaper and it looks really easy to use without all the snaps in the front.
I really like this idea. It's way nicer looking then all those snaps on the front. And I believe that this is what the Fuzzi Bunz one-size diapers use. Which Kelly's Closet will soon be carrying, right?
Yes, we will be carrying the new Fuzzi Bunz One Size. We had the opportunity to be one of the first retailers to have them but we decided to wait as we knew there would probably be adjustments to the design...and there was. The style that we will be getting has a thigh snap (the original didn't) and is cut trimmer (some fabric has reduced in the middle of the diaper) so overall we will have a version that is much better fitting and doesn't gap or snag by the thigh area.
I truly appreciate learning the "history" of things... I like that one idea from years ago could be applied to other concepts and uses!
The Rocky Mountain Diapers are very cute and a cinch to adjust! They can get very very small - so although my little guy isn't a newborn anymore - I can almost say with confidence that this diaper would truly fit a newborn!
I like the idea of the hidden adjustments. I don't mind the snaps, but these look really nice. I might have to try these out!
Kelly is one smart mama! As she has mentioned, the original FB OS needed a bit of tweaking... I'm glad to discover they have altered the design a bit to improve upon the original design. Looking forward to trying out the new one!
I wasn't aware of this type of adjustment on cloth diapers, so thanks for sharing. I'll have to check them out now.
So cool! I would love to try out a OS diaper that doesn't have all the snaps. My husband always has trouble getting the right snap to make the diapers fit correctly. Adjustable elastic would eliminate this...I could just set the sizes before putting them away and he'd be set to go. Can't wait for the new OS Fuzzi Bunz too...those are my favorite diapers.
Cool stuff. Just another post to feed my obsession with cloth diapers. I must say it is paying off though. I'm converting my friends to cloth, one by one. :)
I think the idea of hidden adjustments is great! I would be concerned, though, that the buttons might become loose or pop off. I know several adjustable waist pants we own has had that problem. What is the warranty on the SoftBums or new Fuzzi Bunz?
Thanks!
Melissa
That was interesting. Thanks for sharing about these new diapers. It's amazing how fast things can change.
I had no idea that it was first invented in 1953! I really would love to buy a Clover, I've heard great things. I'm going to check out the others mentioned as well. My new OS Fuzzi Bunz uses the same idea - they adjust for the rise and also the waist.
Is Kelly's Closet going to carry Clovers any time soon? I think I need to try one!
Thanks so much for the history lesson! Don't moms make the best products? I love it when moms come up with an idea to solve a problem!
Also, I can't wait until Kelly's Closet starts selling Rocky Mountain! I want to add some to my stash!
I enjoyed reading about the background of the diaper!
looking forward to the FB OS.....just one more to add to my collection!
I was wondering if you were going to carry the new FB OS and glad to hear that you will be. We have a few M FB but I just don't want to buy a bunch if we will have to buy larges at some point.
I can't wait to try some of these new diapers...I really don't need any more diapers, but we all know that need and want tend to mean the same thing when it comes to fluff. :P
so awesome :) i love the idea but wonder how easy it is to adjust ... since for 2 in dipes if you share them it is just unsnapping the rise :0) .. i also did not know the concept of the adjustable elastic went back so far. i want to thank that lady .. i love it in my toddlers pants :)
Hi Dani,
We hope to be adding Clovers to our line soon! We are waiting to hear back from the manufacturer.
Their fitteds are organic and at a msrp at only $15.95 which is very reasonable for an organic.
WOW! I sooo want to try this diaper. I also have a friend who has been dying to find a pattern for a one size dipe that doesn't require plastic snaps.
I forwarded her this post - maybe she'll start making some of her own!
I've never seen a diaper with adjustable elastics before, but it's a great idea! Here I thought it was a brand new innovation.
I love the adustable elastic for my son's pants because he is so skinny. I didn't realize that this was also being used in cloth diapers. I learned something new today!
Thank you so much for this blog. I've learned a lot in the past few weeks that I have been following. You all do a great job in providing useful information! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Very informative article! I was fine with using one brand of cloth diapers, but now I want to try the different ones since they all sound so nice!
this system seems great for those babies who seem to end up between the snap settings on the other one-size diapers
For my skinny guy the button elastic adjustments in pants have been a life saver. So cool to see that the technology goes back so far. And that people are figuring out other ways to use it, like in cloth diapers. and this clears up some much on the SoftBums OS diaper. Thanks for the post.
I've never used snaps but they seem so tricky/time consuming. I'm glad there's so many options with elastic!!
oooh,,,I love these. Snaps aren't very cute when big soo these options seem great! I can't wait to see the Rocky Mtn Diapers on Kelly's closet.
I had no idea that the adjustable elastic went back that far! I was working for a large retail company and they prided themselves in being the first to but that idea in pants...hmmm. The adjustable elastic in diapers is something I definately want to check out! I really enjoyed this article.
This was a great read!
Rocky Mountain Diapers have been shipped and should be on the site soon!!
I love reading posts like this one! But it makes me want to try that Rocky Mountain diaper so bad!
YAY for a history lesson! Its good to learn something new! & even bigger YAY for new FB!
I really like the adjustable elastic and always look for it in boys pants, what a plus to be able to find it in diapers as well. I also want to try the featured diapers.
What great information!
Wow, I had no idea! I think the Rocky mountain diapers are one of the cutest out there too, it's nice to know how functional they are to boot!
Cool and informative! My son has some pants that have this type of adjustment in them and I love them!
I also don't like all the snaps cluttering the front of the OS diapers so this concept is super cool to me. I have two Rocky Mountain OS coming to me soon and I am so looking forward to trying them out!
When I tried the fuzzbunz OS I didn't know if I would like them or not. But now that I have I do really like the adjustable elastic. It makes the diaper less bulky for sure.
When I tried the fuzzbunz OS I didn't know if I would like them or not. But now that I have I do really like the adjustable elastic. It makes the diaper less bulky for sure.
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