How to make your own cloth diapers

April 19, 9:49 AMEarly Childhood Parenting ExaminerAngele Sionna

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We all want the best for our babies. But sometimes our budgets determine what exactly that means. While we’re pregnant and waiting for baby to arrive, moms tend to want to do something for our little one just from us… but should that something be making your own cloth diapers?

I dove head first into the world of cloth diapering about 9 months ago. I consider myself an eco-conscious consumer but the idea of diaper pins and endless washing of gross things kept me away from the cloth game. Until I started trying out modern cloth diapers. (Read my reviews of lots of popular brands.) I now proudly call myself a cloth-diapering momma and feel pretty proud of myself for making the switch. And being we’re having a third, I figure I will end up ahead of the cost game in addition to being less environmentally wasteful.

Me and my cheapness began to wonder, however, if I couldn’t make these diapers myself. I’m no sewing expert by any means, but I am crafty and have made other things for my girls. What an adventure that was. A few pros: custom fit, price, and sense of pride. A few cons: finding materials, making it cost effective, and finding the time to make them.

If you want to try making your own cloth diapers, the key is to buy the right fabric and that can be costly. I tried all sorts of stuff to avoid that including buying regular fabric and waterproofing it - not a good idea. Trust me I tried this. Zany Zebra has a nice guide about all the types of fabrics that you can use to make cloth diapers. You can find the same awesome waterproof fabric that is used to make most modern cloth diapers at online stores like:

• Celtic Cloths
• Diaper Cuts

You can make your own pattern from a regular disposable diaper, I tried this and it can be done. But there are also free patterns out there that make it easier for you. Here are some to try:

• Celtic Cloths
• Fuzzi Bunz replicas
• Simple tutorial for making cloth diapers
• One size fits all diaper pattern

Here's a nice guide on You Tube on how to make a cloth diaper:

In the end, I found that making my own cloth diapers wasn't as cost effective as buying them. And there are lots of great ones out there. Read all about my search for the perfect cloth diaper in my Diaper Diaries.