How To Make Cloth Diapers (with Pictures)

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2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Diapers are mainly made of a combination of plastic and cotton. It has been calculated that the average child uses around 6,000 diapers before learning how to use the potty. Before disposable nappies became popular in the last few decades, most families did it at home or bought reusable cloth nappies. Nowadays, cloth diapers are regaining ground because they can be reused and save a lot of money. There are several patterns you can find to make cloth nappies, from simple to elaborate designs, but all you need is fabric, a sewing machine and a little time to make a cloth nappy. This article will tell you how to make cloth diapers.

Steps

Step 1. Choose your fabrics

Flannel cloth nappies are popular because the fabric is soft, but you can also use terry cloth, twill, or a soft jersey or cotton. You will need one fabric for the outside and one for the inside, so buy at least 1m of each.

Using old flannel sheets or shirts instead of buying them by the meter can save you money and recycle your sheets or clothes

Step 2. Find a pattern and print it

If you are looking for "washable diaper patterns", you should find many free options to choose from. The printed pattern should look like a large coil of thread, with one end wider than the other.

Choose the pattern based on the means with which you choose to close the diaper, such as velcro, clips, buttons or other. You can also choose a pattern based on making a water resistant cover for your cloth diapers. These will require a slight variation from the instructions listed here.
Another option for pattern making is to buy a cloth diaper and trace the outline on thick pattern paper, such as wrapping paper.

Step 3. Draw the pattern on your fabric with a light or fabric marker and cut it out

Repeat so that you have two diaper shapes.

Step 4. Draw the pattern on your inner fabric with the marker and cut it out

Cut two pieces of fabric for a thick diaper or once for a thin one.

Step 5. Cut out your disc that will sit in the center of the nappy and absorb excess moisture, called an absorbent disc

It can be made of old or cheap cleaning cloths, microfiber cloths or fabric scraps.

Step 6. Fold the cloth in half lengthwise and sew it together along the sides

If you are using fabric scraps, measure them against a folded cloth to get the right size and then sew the layers together from all sides

Step 7. Center the absorbent layer in the middle of the nappy, extending the wide parts of both sides

Pin it in place on top of 1 of the shapes of the inner layers of the diaper.

Step 8. Sew the cloth to the fabric around the disc shape, making sure it fits tightly

Use a backstitch on all edges and continue doing this throughout the process for maximum durability.

Step 9. Layer your fabric

Place your diaper shapes in the following order: inside, outside with the cute side facing up if you used a cute fabric, second outside with the cute side facing down, and second inside with the absorbent cloth sewn, facing up.

Step 10. Align all edges

Pin in place along the edges and across the absorbent cloth to secure it well.

Step 11. Sew a straight stitch 0.6 or 1.3 cm from the edge around the outside of your layers, making sure to backstitch at the ends

Leave 10.2 cm open at the bottom so that you can turn the diaper from the inside to the outside.

Step 12. Trim the excess edges from the seam you just made

Make sure you don't cut your stitches in doing so.

Step 13. Fold the diaper lengthwise

Mark the points on the nappy and the edge of the legs where you want the 1 cm elastic to go. You want it to stop about 5 cm from both ends of the diaper at the top and legs.

Step 14. Pin the rubber bands on the lines you just marked

You want them to be snug around the edges and straight seam you just made.

Step 15. Sew the elastic on the top end with a small straight stitch

Then, go over the elastic with a wide zigzag stitch. Take a few stitches back.

Step 16. Repeat the process on the outside edge of the inside, where the legs will go

Do not pass elastic on the lower part that you will lift on the baby's belly. The elastic should pucker the fabric a little when you're done.

Step 17. Flip the nappy over through the 10.2 cm gap you left in the seam at the base

Step 18. Fold in the edges on the open part

Pin in place.

Step 19. Make a straight stitch in the seam, making sure it fits tightly at both ends

Step 20. Cut a length of Velcro about 4cm wide to cover most of the outer edge of the base

Cut two small squares on the opposite, rough side of the velcro.

Step 21. Pin the length of Velcro into place along the outside edge of the bottom of the diaper

Step 22. Use a zigzag stitch around the outside of the velcro to attach it securely

Step 23. Secure the 2 squares to the inside edges of the diaper top using pins

Step 24. Use a zigzag stitch around the squares to secure them

Step 25. Use your new custom cloth diaper next time you need to change your baby

Advice

You will need plastic diaper covers to avoid getting wet or seeping on the baby's clothes.
For an extra touch, add a hem about 1.3 cm from the outside edge after flipping the diaper.

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