Long before started trying to have kids, I read a blog post about cloth diapering. I realized that today’s cloth diapers are nothing like what my mom used. So started my research on cloth. One thing I wanted to know was how to make a cloth diaper. After doing a little reading on it, I decided that I didn’t like sewing well enough to try making cloth diapers.
As well, I learned that there were many different styles of cloth diapers to choose from and I wasn’t sure which ones would be best.
What I really wish is that I would’ve had this book: A How to Handbook on the Basics of Cloth Diapering. I’ve been doing my own research for months, and I still learned a lot!
After doing a lot of reading, I decided that pocket diapers would be the kind I wanted. So I bought a few Sunbaby diapers that were new, they were the cheapest of them all. Then I found some used Charlie Banana, and Kawaii diapers that I decided to buy just to try out.
I really didn’t have enough to full time cloth diaper so I was still looking for good deals. My mother discovered I still needed more diapers and because she loves to sew and create she practically begged me to let her make the rest for me. After some discussion I agreed to it. She found this pattern (the original blog this was on was taken down and I did a little digging to find the original pattern, but it appears like it’s the newborn version and you won’t have all her instructions) and sent it to me for approval, I really liked it, so she got started.
Let me back up a bit to the 3 diaper brands that I already have. I liked the shape of the Kawaii diaper best, preferred the button elastic on the legs of the Charlie Banana and of course loved the price of the Sunbaby diapers. 🙂
So when mom started with that pattern she changed it up a teeny bit to closer reflect the shape of the Kawaii diaper. What we both loved about the pattern though was the button elastic in the leg holes and across the back of the diaper!
If you are wanting to know how to make a cloth diaper, then definitely check out the pattern we started with. It’s free and she does a great job of explaining how to do it.
We did make a few changes as you will see in the following photos.
The PUL fabric in the back originally tucked down and if the inside flap slipped down the PUL would be right against the baby’s skin. Mother added a small flap of microfiber against the PUL. And as the photo shows, we also added elastic to the inside flap too.
We also changed up the snap pattern just a bit so we could snap over in the front. I didn’t want to buy different sizes so a diaper that can be easily adjusted for a newborn up to a toddler was pretty important.
Here is an open photo of the diaper so you can see the snaps.
Following the pattern, mother also made the inserts. She also made some smaller ones to use for newborns, and I plan to use them for soakers later. The diaper in the second photo is at the smallest setting, and the small liner fits in nicely.
The other liners I bought were bamboo and I really liked them. So our original plan was to use all bamboo for the liners. But after some discussion, reading and learning, we actually put a soft bamboo on the outside and hemp on the inside. They are very absorbant (with water) so we will see how they do with pee. 🙂
And if you have scraps left over…. Yes, my mom made a whole bunch of nursing pads for me too! 🙂
All in all, I’m very excited about my cloth diapers. Hopefully they work as well as I expect them too. 🙂
For those of you who may be wondering… Why do I want to cloth diaper?
Two reasons:
I dislike trash, I especially dislike trash that never disposes. You can recycle plastic, metal, paper and more. But dirty diapers cannot be recycled, they do not break down, and they won’t burn. They are nasty and we fill our landfills with those things. 🙁 I feel like we are to be stewards of the earth God gave us and it’s important to me to take care of it.
I also dislike spending money that we don’t have. Cloth diapers will help us save money right along with the nursing pads. Mom did the sewing for free, I simply paid for the supplies. But all told I’ve paid less than $250 for a diaper stash that should last me for several babies!
To learn more about cloth diapering I suggest Cloth Diapers: The how to Handbook for Cloth diapering. This is a fantastic ebook that sells for $5.99.
Lindsay says
May 5, 2014 at 9:01 amI have considered cloth diapering, but we are on our last baby, so it seems futile at this point. (She is nearly 9months now and we just ran out of diapers we were given when she was born.) I don’t have the $ to invest in that many cloth diapers, but I was wondering if it was something I could do partially or if that would be a waste of water in extra laundry. Hmmm…
Kendra says
May 5, 2014 at 9:47 amI cannot say in this case. I do know that you can buy used for about half price, and if you buy new and keep them nice, you can also resell for half the cost of new.
Part time cloth diapering is actually pretty common. Many moms choose to use disposables at night.
Aubree Cherie @ Living Free says
May 9, 2014 at 6:34 amWow – this is very inspriring! I enjoy sewing and we are using cloth diapers for our first son, but I’ve not thought to make our own diapers. Yours came out so great! Would love to be able to do this 🙂 ~Aubree Cherie @ Living Free
Kendra says
May 9, 2014 at 8:00 pmMy mother is very talented for sure 🙂
Joy @ Yesterfood says
May 11, 2014 at 7:28 pmWow! You and your mom did a great job- combined all the best from all your research. Very impressive. Thank you for sharing this with us at Treasure Box Tuesday- I am sharing on Google+ today!
Charlie says
May 13, 2014 at 7:35 pmI love using cloth diapers. I plan on using my Happy Heineys diapers with my new little one. I need to make a newborn diaper though. They are a one size fits all and I thought would fit my newborn, but they leaked at the leg openings last time until she was 12lbs. So I am making some newborn ones this time around. :o)
Kendra says
May 14, 2014 at 8:47 amI’ve never really looked at the Happy Heineys brand, but the button elastic in the leg holes are one of the reasons I really like the diapers my mom made for me. Leaks are never any fun!
Cindy Eikenberg says
May 14, 2014 at 7:52 pmKendra, I know a lot of mothers with babies will love this. You’re mom did an amazing job! Thank you so much for sharing at Best of the Weekend and pinned! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
Kendra says
May 14, 2014 at 9:55 pmThanks Cindy! I hope it will be very helpful to other moms out there 🙂
Kristina & Millie says
May 19, 2014 at 12:22 pmGreat tips and directions! Love the bonus nursing pads. How she sewed those flowers though I can’t imagine, I can barely sew a straight line! Stop by our Snickerdoodle Sunday sometime, we would love to have you visit!
Carol McIntosh says
July 12, 2017 at 7:25 pmI want to use bamboo for the soakers. how many layers should I use? Thanks for your ideas.
Kendra says
July 31, 2017 at 7:27 amSorry for the late response. I’m honestly not sure though. The bamboo soakers I bought have 3 layers in them. Hope that helps.
Shannon says
October 21, 2017 at 6:54 pmI love all of the details about your diapers and wanted to get the pattern, but when I click on the link there is no page at the other end. Is there some other way to get there?
Kendra says
November 2, 2017 at 3:48 pmOkay, that blog appears to have been taken down. I did a bit of digging for you and found some archived pages. I was completely unable to get the os pattern, but did find the newborn pattern. I’ve updated the links above for you.
I’m sorry it took so long to respond. Hopefully you’ve been able to figure something out already!
NAZNEEN ARSHAD says
December 3, 2017 at 11:46 amDearKendra,
I really like your idea. Plz can you tell me from where can I get bamboo soakers and What material you have used for outer layer. Can you please do me a favour if you can send me the whole cutting style and measurement for new born through an email.
Thanks dear
Regards
NAZNEEN ARSHAD
Kendra says
December 23, 2017 at 3:35 pmHi Nazneen, my apologies for not responding sooner. I’ve not been updating my site here due to life being busy and such.
As for as the info and stuff, my mother made the diapers for me using a pattern from a site that has now went offline, I can try to email you the pattern I recovered though. As far as the bamboo soakers, I’m not sure what mother did other than using google to find a store that sold bamboo flannel.
Kendra says
December 23, 2017 at 3:37 pmI shared the file with you through google drive.