I think there are so many benefits to using cloth diapers that I want to use them from the beginning with our new baby. I wanted to use cloth diapers with my oldest two children, but I didn’t.
I started cloth diapering my youngest when he was one. I had been given some Gerber prefolds when my oldest was born. I used those and the plastic covers. They worked, but they weren’t great. I got a few ProWraps Classic covers and they were better than the plastic pull-on Gerber ones.
However, I kept seeing all of these cute diapers that were out of my price range. I really thought they would be neat to have, but I couldn’t justify the cost.
So, since I always try to figure out if I can make something cheaper than buying it I have entered the world of cloth diaper sewing. Below are some pictures of what I have attempted and links to the directions. I am excited to keep making diapers. I think it is great for the environment and our budget.
This is a one-size flannel pocket diaper called the RRP (Rita’s Rump Pocket). It is a very quick and easy diaper to sew. I like that it will last the baby for a long time. Also, it is cheap. I used two flannel receiving blankets from a yard sale and elastic I had on hand.
This is a fleece cover (newborn size) from Mile High Monkeys pattern. It is a very easy pattern and I intend to make many more in the various sizes. There is also a free pattern option you can try called Katrina’s Sew Quick Soaker Pattern.
The fleece is some that my Mom gave me. For the others I am going to use a fleece blanket that we no longer need.
I bought some $1/yard flannel to make some flat fold diapers. I borrowed my Mom’s serger to serge the edges. I was showing her how to fold them and she asked me why I couldn’t just sew them the way I want them folded.
After some thought I decided to go for it. I like that flat fold diapers are cheap and quick drying, but I don’t like to fold them each time. So, I used the origami fold that I found at Diaper Ware.
Then I serged the top edge (the longest part). I used a regular straight stitch to sew on each side of the middle thicker area. It doesn’t show up well because it is all white. However, it was easy and I think will save time. I cut the original fabric at 27″ because that seemed to be a pretty standard size for flats. I also made some at 23″ for the baby when he is so small.
Update: While these diapers did work I wouldn’t do that again. There are just too many good things about flat fold diapers and ways they can be used to sew them the way I did above.
Finally, I made some cloth baby wipes. They are made of flannel and a wash cloth. The wash cloths were pretty large, so I cut them into fourths. Then I cut a piece of flannel the same size. I serged the edges and they were done.
Another way I have made cloth wipes is to just cut up some old receiving blankets and overcast the edges. I will make a wipes solution and put it into either a spray bottle or a peri bottle. Then I will just either spritz the wipe or the baby’s bottom at each diaper change.
I am excited to get to try out these diapers on the baby.
