Save Money by Sewing Your Own Cloth Baby Diapers

If the cost of buying manufactured cloth diapers on the internet is too expensive, try sewing your own diapers. Making a cloth diaper is fun and easy. If you use materials you already have around the house or can buy on sale at a local fabric store, you can save money and still feel good about doing the best thing for your baby.

You can find free patterns for cloth diapers on the internet. These patterns often come with a disclaimer that they are for home use only and not to be used commercially. If you like sewing diapers and decide to open your own cloth diaper business, create your own patterns. The market favors creativity and uniqueness, so improving on the cloth diaper patterns you have used in the past to formulate your own design might pay off for you. You may also be able to buy the licensing rights to make your favorite diaper patterns.

Some of my favorite patterns are the Ottobre Design cloth diaper pattern. This particular pattern has both a sewn in soaker and tabs that fold over to protect the Aplix from snagging any cloth during washing. Be aware that this pattern runs a little big, so you may want to adjust the cut accordingly. Also, the instructions on this diaper are not the most user friendly. For experienced sewers, this pattern should be no problem.

Another free diaper pattern is the Wee Weka diaper offered by The Nappy Network. This diaper pattern can be modified to work as either a pocket diaper, an all-in-one diaper with a waterproof outer fabric, or a fitted diaper. If you use this pattern, be sure to read the instructions that follow the pattern pieces. Another common problem with this pattern is that you need to be sure to use all the pieces in the pattern, including the small piece in the middle that can be hard to find.

If you use the Wee Weka pattern, several options for sewing the diaper are included in the pattern. You can modify the diaper to include an internal soaker or a fold out soaking pad for faster drying times. If you plan to make a fitted diaper, stick with absorbent cotton materials. You might even try using old tee shirts for the outer fabric. If you want an all-in-one diaper, try using a microfleece fabric or a soft suedecloth for the inner layer, a waterproof middle fabric like Polyurethane laminate (PUL) or nylon, and a super-soft fleece for the outer layer to cover the waterproof fabric.

Another free cloth diaper pattern is the Mama Bird pattern. Be sure when you print this pattern that you double check to make sure that the pattern has printed to scale using the test square. Use the appropriate instructions on the web site to make a fitted diaper, a pocket diaper, or an all-in-one diaper. The instruction links are separate from the link for the pattern, so click on the hyperlink for the type of diaper you intend to make.

I have found that the instructions on the Mama Bird pattern are wonderful for the inexperienced sewer. Almost every detail you will need to sew these diapers is included, and the pictures are very useful. Note that the instructions for the Mama Bird pattern require you to treat woven materials differently from knits. Using woven or non-stretch fabrics will require you to add a ¼ inch seam allowance. Also, I have found the tabs to be a little short on these diapers, so you may want to add about an inch to the pattern.

The materials you use to make these diapers can also make them more or less cost effective. You can buy new material, including the ultra chic organic fabrics like organic cotton sherpa, bamboo, or hemp. If you really want to be frugal and make a lovely diaper stash out of cost-effective materials you can use recycled materials that you already have around the house. Try using old gauze diapers or well washed terry towels that can be used as the soaker pad. Old flannel sheets or work shirts can be used for the body of the diaper. Your well-worn tee shirts, including any cute logos, or waffle weave shirts or pajamas can be used for the outer part of a fitted diaper. A soft fleece from a pullover can also be used for the outer part of a diaper.

Sewing your own diapers can be an economical way to diaper your baby. Buying cloth diapers may be expensive, but using recycled materials and free patterns (or patterns that you make yourself) is a great way to use cloth diapers and save money.

Sources:

Ottobre Design, "Cloth Diaper," http://www.ottobredesign.com/en/print/pdf/vaippa_en.pdf.

The Nappy Network, "Wee Weka," http://www.thenappynetwork.org.nz/images/Wee%20Weka%20SML%20Fitted%20SM%20Pocket.pdf

Mama Bird's Free Diaper Pattern, http://www.geocities.com/rew4birth/Diapers.html.