the peaceful peacock

Here are the actual sewing instructions for the diapers. If you would like to draft a pattern, you will find my tutorial here, and if you would like to see instructions for cutting the fabric then check here. You can easily make these diapers using a serger or a standard sewing machine, instructions for both are included in this tutorial.

A little tip: If you are making the diapers for a girl, place the insert toward the center of the diaper…

…and if you are making the diapers for a boy, place the insert toward the front of the diaper. A simple matter of anatomy, folks.

Constructing the Diapers with a Serger

Step One: Sandwich the insert(s) between the two layers of flannel, pin the insert in place, and serge around all edges.

A little tip: Rather than trying to follow the curve, you can just serge off…

…and start a new path where you left off. Remember: your kid is going to poop in these, not graduate college in them. Hopefully. Anyway, they don’t have to be perfect so don’t stress about it.

Step Two: Now move yourself on over to your regular sewing machine. You are going to stay-stitch the inserts in place so that they do not end up in a wadded ball in the corner of the diaper when you wash it. Don’t ask me how I know that.

You will be able to feel it with your finger to guide you. Sew around the entire insert.

All done!

Constructing the Diaper with a Sewing Machine

Step One: Place the insert on the wrong side of one of the pieces of the flannel diaper. Sew in place using a 1/4″ or 1/2″ seam. If you are using two layers of insert, apply one to the wrong side of each flannel piece.

It should look like this.

Step Two: With right sides together, sew the two pieces of flannel together with a 1/4″ seam. It’s easy to gauge a 1/4″ seam because it’s exactly how wide the point to the edge of the foot is on the machine. You can use a larger seam allowance but keep in mind that it will create a smaller diaper.

Be sure to leave a four inch opening so that you can turn the diaper right side out.

Step Three: Turn the diaper right side out and press, folding the open edges under so that the folded edges match up with the seam.

Step Four: Topstitch around the entire diaper using a 1/4″ seam. Make sure that the open edges are secured into place with this stitch.

A little tip: How to sew a curve with a sewing machine:

Topstitch up until 1/4″ inch away from the edge of the curve…

…pick up your presser foot with the needle securely embedded in the fabric and rotate so that everything is heading in the right direction…

…return the presser foot back into position and continue topstitching.

All done!!

To clarify, here are your other options with making these cloth diapers:

• Purchase a pattern from the store
• Draft your own pattern using my instructions
• Cut out your fabric
• Sew your diapers using a serger or a sewing machine (this post).

Now go make some nappies.

cloth diapering, free diaper pattern, how to make cloth diapers, repurposing

There is such a learning curve to babies. As the boy grows, I keep discovering all of these tricks and tools that almost make me want to have another baby just so I can use them on the new kid from the get-go. That’s how I feel about these handmade cloth diapers.

These are what our grannies used to make for their babies–a tried and true, simple, inexpensive, ecological way of diapering your tots. Unlike prefolds (which seem to be the norm these days), these diapers are slim and form-fitting while still being absorbent. This tutorial is divided into three parts: Part One consists of the directions for drafting the diapers, Part Two explains the cutting procedure, and Part 3 details the sewing process.

The following pattern is for a medium sized diaper.  These are sized to get a whole lot of use from wee to mammoth so you probably won’t have to make a new batch very often. The mediums appear to fit 15-30 pounds pretty comfortably.  To make size small, subtract two or three inches from the height and eyeball the shape.  To make size large, add two or three inches to the length and widen the bum section of the diaper a bit.

After putting these into use for some time, it is advisable to line the diaper with absorbent material (like hemp fleece, sections cut from an old towel, multiple layers of flannel, or those super-absorbent towels that are available in automotive stores).

Supplies

In addition to your functional sewing machine, scissors, and ironing equipment you will need:

• a tape measure
• a straight edge (a rectangular ruler that is used with a rotary mat works best)
• old flannel sheets
• an old towel or two
• a marker
• a serger is helpful but not necessary
• one large sheet of paper at least 20″x20″ (a piece of newsprint will work great)
• one regular sized piece of paper at least 10″x7″

Part One: Drafting the Pattern

Take a deep breath. This will be much less painful than you think.

Step 1: Using the marker and your straight edge, draw a line down the center of your large piece of paper measuring 17 inches. This is the center of your diaper lengthwise.

Step 2: Mark and number each inch along the line. You will use these points as coordinates for the sides of the diaper.

Step 3: Mark both the top/front edge and the bottom/back edge of the diaper. For the top/front edge of the diaper, measure 6 1/2 inches from the center on each side. This line will total 13 inches. For the bottom/back edge, measure 9 1/2 inches from the center on each side. This line will total 19 inches. So far so good!!

Step 4: Ok, this part is tricky to describe. You will be using the marks on the center line to measure out and mark points on one side of the diaper. You may of course do this on both sides, but the plan is to mark the dots, connect the dots, fold the diaper down the center line, and use that to mark the other side. Got it? You guys are smart, hang in there.

Alright, shoulders back, deep breath, now go!

From each point along the center line of the diaper, mark:

• Point 1–this is already a part of your top/front edge. If you were to mark a point here it would be at 6 1/2″ (where the line ends).
• Point 2–6 1/2″
• Point 3–6 1/4″
• Point 4–4 1/4″
• Point 5–4″
• Point 6–4″
• Point 7–4″
• Point 8–4 1/4″
• Point 9–4 1/2″
• Point 10–4 3/4″
• Point 11–5 1/4″
• Point 12–5 3/4″
• Point 13–7″
• Point 14–8 3/4″
• Point 15–9 1/2″
• Point 16–9 1/2″
• Point 17–9 1/2″
• Point 18–This is part of the line for the bottom/back edge of the diaper, measuring 9 1/2″ from the center on one side.

Now connect the dots and remember that you’re making a diaper, not an atom bomb. This does not have to be super precise. The scary precise parts are all finished now. Feel better?

Step Five: Cut along the lines…

Step Six: Fold the diaper in half along the center line. You can trace along the edge of the finished side and then cut, or if you are feeling cocky and brave just go ahead and cut the other side out using the finished curve as your guide.

Well, looky there. You did it. Wooo!

But you’re not quite finished yet, sister. Hold onto your pants a minute.

In order for the diapers to be absorbent, they’re going to need some lining. This part is easy.

Step Seven: Draw a rectangle measuring 10″x7″. Cut it out and round off the corners so that it resembles the above picture. Easy peasy.

I didn’t want to overwhelm you by including the directions for cutting and sewing the diaper with these instructions, so look for that post in a couple of days. And congratulations–you just drafted your very own pattern!

For those of you with cottage industries, you may use this pattern to sell diapers as long as you provide a link to www.thepeacefulpeacock.com.

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