Featured Cloth Diaper WAHM: Amy Sue of Zany Zebra Designs

Q: What Led You to Start Using Cloth Diapers?

A: I started using cloth to save money about 17 years ago when our oldest, Andy, was one. My husband and I were in college at the time and had NO money. My Mom gave me the Curity flats she had used on me and my brothers, and bought me Gerber pull-up plastic pants and diaper pins. I used a wet pail which I dragged to the Laundromat every weekend. I did NOT like using cloth diapers at all then! I continued using cloth with my other children to save money, and with each child I tried a new cloth diapering systems and learned more about cloth diapering. Since discovering all the modern choices I've been addicted to cloth!

Q: How did you go about making cloth diapers your business?

A: I ended up with the cloth diaper business kind of by accident. A little over a year ago I bought a cloth diaper pattern and supplies to make diapers for our youngest, Zach, who was 5 months old at the time. Being a pattern addict I had to buy several other patterns to try too. I was struggling to find a diaper that would fit Zach's VERY chunky thighs but none of the patterns or diapers I tried worked. I found a pattern-drafting tutorial online and used it to create my own pattern, tweaking it until it was what I'd been looking for. I had so much fun sewing diapers for Zach that I couldn't stop, even though our stash was getting too big. There was always another idea I wanted to experiment with, or another cute fabric I just had to make into a diaper. When my husband went from working full time days to half time nights so he could student teach during the day, it seemed like a good idea to start the cloth diaper business. My goal was to help out with the family's finances by doing something I love - making cloth diapers.

Q: Was starting your business difficult?

A: Starting the business itself wasn't difficult because I've run a family child care business from our home for the past 13 years and have learned how to run a business. The hard part was the whole internet and website "thing". I didn't know html at first, but I started learning it in October so I could work on my site. I have a lot to learn about html and a lot to do on my site yet, but I'm having fun learning everything I need to know.

Q: How do you manage to run a business with small children?

A: It's not easy, even when one of my businesses revolves around small children! I usually sew in the afternoons when the children are napping, I'm fortunate that they are all good sleepers. Evenings are too busy with family obligations, and I don't have much luck sewing on the weekends because Zach tries to "help". LOL! The computer work I can do on and off during the day when the children are busy playing, and a little at night if we're not busy.

Q: What does your home office look like?

A: LOL! My "home office" is a laptop on the kitchen counter with a basket of paperwork next to it. My sewing center is a large picnic basket of sewing supplies and projects in the works on a butcher block in the dining room. I sew on the dining room table and get everything out then put it away every time I sew. Fabrics and supplies I'm not currently used are kept in boxes in a closet. Someday I'd like a "real" sewing room, but for now I'm happy with what I have.

Q: What Is The Most Rewarding Thing About Running Your Home Business?

A: I love being home with my children! When our oldest two were young I was teaching, they were in daycare, and I learned how precious time spent with your children really is. I consider myself very fortunate that I've been able to work from home for the past 13 years. I'm here all the time for our children from birth until school, and once they start school I'm still here for after school, days off and if they're sick. Being here for our children the best thing about working in our home!

Q: What new an exciting things can we expect in the future?

A: I have lots of ideas I'd like to try out as I get the time! I'm planning to add some appliquéd children's clothing to our product line in the near future, hopefully for summer. I'd also like to expand into wool covers, shorts and pants. I want to do more hand dyeing fabric for diaper outers, appliqués and children's clothing. I may also add mama pads sometime in the future - right now I'm testing patterns and materials. I'm also constantly thinking up new appliqué design ideas - if only I had as many hours in the day as I have ideas in my head!

Thank you to everyone who has taken a chance on a new WAHM and tried our diapers. Our goal is to provide a high quality product and provide superior customer service - thanks for giving us the opportunity to do so!