While this is an older post from my blog archives, the information is still valuable! If you’re currently shopping for diapers I recommend a few brands in my Amazon Shop: www.amazon.com/shop/backtocalley
Would you like to diaper your baby for FREE? You may recall a post I wrote last year where I explained how you can diaper your baby for only $50. With the state of our economy parents are finding themselves making choices between buying diapers, clothing, food, and shelter.
Even if you aren’t handy with a sewing machine there are a few patterns available that can help you diaper your baby with items you may already have around the house. If you do have a sewing machine (or know someone who does) you can make cloth diapers that function just as well as the popular diaper brands. Here is a list of some common items that you can use to make cloth diapers:
- t-shirts
- bath or kitchen towels
- knit, cotton, or flannel sheets
- receiving blankets
- fleece blankets
- sweatshirts
- wool sweaters
The easiest way to use the fabric is to make a flat or prefold from the fabric (you may not even have to sew to make these). Kim at Dirty Diaper Laundry has a series of posts on the different ways to fold flat fabric for diapers These will require the use of a diaper cover to keep your babies clothes dry. You can use fleece or wool fabric to make a diaper cover, shorties or longies. When shopping at consignment stores, thrift shops, and Goodwill stores you may also find pull-on diaper covers like the Bummis Whisper Pants for only a few dollars.
I created a Pinterest board with some of my favorite links about how to make cloth diapers using found items – Free Cloth Diapers.
Source: naturalviolet.blogspot.com via Calley on Pinterest
Making your own cloth diapers can save you some money and allow you to provide food and shelter for your family when times are tight. Even if you don’t have laundry facilities it is possible to hand wash your diapers in your tub or using a 5 gallon bucket and a plunger.
Why did you start cloth diapering? Was it for financial reasons? Have you made your own cloth diapers? I’d love to hear your story – leave a comment below!
Have you heard about the Great Cloth Diaper Change yet? Leading up to Earth Day (April 22nd) the Real Diaper Association (a non-profit cloth diaper advocacy group) is hosting Real Diaper Week (April 16-21st) and the 2nd Annual Great Cloth Diaper Change (April 21st).
Learn more about how to cloth diaper on an extreme budget by participating in the 2nd Annual Flats Challenge with Dirty Diaper Laundry.
Looking for cloth diapering resources and tips? Visit my cloth diapering archives, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and on Pinterest.
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Yeah! My favorite subject, saving money! I have a great stash and I think last time I calculated I had spent less than $100! Now with baby #3 on the way I will probably splurge on a few diapers but won’t have to spend nearly as much as I did before. I love Real Diaper Week!
CJR
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What pattern is being used in pic and is it free!?
Here is the link from Pinterest and yes there are downloadable patterns. http://naturalviolet.blogspot.com/2009/04/recycled-t-shirt-diaper.html
Calley recently posted..2nd Annual Flats & Handwashing Challenge with Dirty Diaper Laundry
Found it thx!
http://naturalviolet.blogspot.com/2009/04/recycled-t-shirt-diaper.html
The pattern for that one is free. 🙂
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That’s what I get for opening up this post hours ago and only replying now.
I wish I was handy enough to do this!! Jealous of the handy skills!
Julie M. recently posted..Increase Your Stash Without the Cash
This is exactly how I did mine. Had no idea what I was doing, hadn’t even seen a “real” fitted cloth diaper. We didn’t have a computer or internet then. I used a diaper cover pattern for decorative diapers which ended up not working very well, so I had to alter them after the baby came and they worked well. I haven’t yet made a cover that doesn’t wick, but I wait for Cotton Babies to have a seconds sale on the econobum covers for $5 and stock up. I am an amature sewer and had saved all my old sheets and things over the years and ended up using them for the diapers. I knew I’d use it one day! Now I still buy flannel sheets at the thrift store. My son is 1 and a half and I’m still using the original batch I made! I was so happy they worked, I was so afraid all that work would have been in vain. Now waiting on baby number 2 and making newborn diapers. So excited to try them!
My first batch of cloth diapers I made myself. I used fabric I had for the outer part and flannel sheets for the insides. The worked well enough to use at home. When our next child was born, if anyone asked what they should get us for a gift I would direct them to a cloth diaper site and a couple of local stores that sell them. Also I got hand-me-downs from a few friends.
OMG genius. If I had the time I would totally do this o.o
I started cloth diapering 8 years ago for financial reasons. Our income later increased but I cloth diapered our next child too because I already knew how. That time I spent a few extra $$ and got some pockets. With the economy doing so badly we’re back to doing it for financial reasons. What’s really funny is my husband doesn’t like cloth diapering but he once convinced me to stop and said he’d buy disposables. He bought about two packages and then said they were too expensive, he wanted me to go back to cloth.lol. We have a new baby on the way in September and hubby was resistant at first but I guess after thinking about it, he’s okay with cloth again. 🙂
Nice post and Great information:-)
I am totally new to cloth diapering.Sweet baby girl was premature with a few health problems and VERY allergic to pretty much everything.All in all we have 6 kids.Yes (WOW) My hubby works two full time jobs to support us.I am so happy to have found your site.I don’t own a sewing machine but know someone who does.I want to learn how to make diapers,pocket or all in one style for the baby.I saved money for a month and a half just to be able to buy a few cheap pocket diapers.I don’t have enough for her and I have yet to master prefolds with a pin and plastic cover 🙁 .Can you tell me some places I can find patterns to make them?Also what do I make them from and where can I find pul material?I am so clueless to this.But I must learn to make them fast,as we cannot afford to buy anymore.I have 5 diapers right now and it’s a challenge ,especially as we cannot use disposables on her.Any sites that have used,or loans and patterns would be great.I have searched a lot but have come up empty.No one where we live cares about cloth nor uses cloth.They look like im nuts when I mention cloth diapers.I love the idea of being green and saving money and for us it’s a must in our everyday life.Thank you for your time. Sincerely Courtney Mott,Alabama
We cloth diaper our son exclusively – even on vacation. We choose hotels with a laundry! Easy peasy! I have always wanted to cloth diaper – a conscientious child, I was. The environment was my main motivator and still is. When I discovered how awesome modern cloth diapers are and what disposables are really made of, I was even more certain of my decision. My husband and I are both very proud of our cloth diapering home and I encourage everyone I meet to do the same. I don’t hesitate to whip one out and show it off. People are always impressed! It’s a great feeling.
P.S. I work full time and so does my husband and cloth diapering has never been something we don’t have time do to – we are never up in the middle of the night desperately washing and folding diapers. I shudder when I hear people use “time” as an excuse not to use cloth. Like all things; if it’s important to you, you will make time.