Diaper Making: The Maiden Voyage

MAKE YOUR OWN CLOTH DIAPERS
For Next To Nothing!

You may be wondering why I would ever need to make my own cloth diapers. I have a more than ample stash of wonderful pocket diapers and all-in-one diapers for both of my girls. Well, it appears that Rowan has developed a sensitivity to the PUL which covers the outer on most of our diapers. In an effort to save her poor little chunky monkey legs, I decided to try to make a cotton fitted diaper with a fleece soaker (aka diaper cover). I was really pleased with the results and plan to make more in the near future.

I found a wonderful website called Frugal Diaper Making and used their instructions for creating a Pocket Fitted cloth diaper. I used 2 old T-shirts, some scrap velcro, and a bit of elastic - total out of pocket cost: ~ $1. The hardest part was transcribing their pattern onto some quilting grid. The actual cutting of fabric and sewing of diaper took me less than an hour. The body of the diaper consists of 4 layers of cotton and the inserts each have 4 layers as well, so with both inserts in there are 12 layers of absorbent cotton to get the job done.

The Frugal Pocket Fitted - Size Medium

The Fitted Diaper and 2 Matching Inserts for Customizable Absorbency

The Pocket is in the front of the diaper. Here you see it stuffed with both inserts.

Laundry Tabs to attach the velcro to so it doesn't stick to everything else in the wash cycle.

The Frugal Pocket Fitted in action. 

I also made her a Soaker out of remnant fleece from Katrina's Free Soaker Pattern. She has free patterns for Wool and Fleece Soakers and Longies on her blog. Easy to print out and comes in many sizes. Total cost: ~$1. It took me about 45 minutes to cut out and sew up this Fleece Soaker with an extra layer in the wet zone. Do you love that the contrasting pink thread matches the thread from the diaper? The fleece is both water resistant and breathable, so it will keep the wetness inside while allowing her bum to get good air circulation.

The Fleece Soaker - Size Medium

The Fleece Soaker in action.

These items were very easy to sew, and quite economical as well. You could spend a bit of money and purchase new materials to make them with, or save a TON of money by using old t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, blankets, sheets, or whatever appropriate material you can find in the bottom of your closet or even on the freecycle list or at the thrift store. Flannel and bamboo would also make for wonderful fitted diapers. And you could always include a wicking layer of microfleece or suedecloth on the inner to help keep sensitive skin dryer. 

Happy Frugal Diapering!

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