How to Make a Diaper Stacker Bag

A must-have accessory in every nursery, a diaper stacker is made of fabric and hung on a wall or piece of furniture. The sides of the bag expand to hold stacks of diapers. Keeping the diaper stacker close to the changing table enables you to remain by your infant and keep your hands free during diaper changes. You can make your own diaper stacker bag, allowing you to customize the color and pattern to coordinate with your nursery decor.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric, 2 colors
• Fabric measuring tape
• Fabric marker
• Scissors
• Stiff cardboard
• Ribbon
• Sewing pins
• Needle
• Matching thread
• Sewing machine (optional)

Instructions

1. Spread out the main fabric on a flat surface, right-side down. Use a tape measure and fabric marker to draw a rectangle for the body of the diaper stacker, measuring 38 inches long by 42 inches wide. Measure and mark three additional rectangles on the same fabric for the bottom of the diaper stacker, each measuring 9 inches long by 13 inches wide. On the backside of a different fabric, draw two rectangles for the topper of the bag, each measuring 9 inches long by 13 inches wide. Cut and remove all six rectangles from the fabric.

2. Cut a piece of stiff cardboard, 12 inches long by 8 inches wide. This will give the diaper stacker bag a stiff bottom to hold the diapers.

3. Cut four ribbons, each measuring 6 inches. Position one rectangle for the topper horizontally and right-side up. Match the cut ends of two ribbons with the top cut edge of the rectangle. Position the ribbons beside one another, about 2 inches from the corner. The ribbons should extend down over the fabric, not hanging over the top edge. Pin the ribbons in place. Repeat the same process with the other two ribbons in the opposite top corner.

4. Sew over the top of the four ribbons, about a 1/4 inch from the edge. Place the second rectangle over the first, right-side down, leaving the ribbons between the two pieces. Pin the pieces together along each side and the top. Sew the three sides together with a 1/2-inch seam. Turn the topper right-side out.

5. Spread out the body of the diaper stacker horizontally on a flat surface, right-side down. Fold in the left side 1/2 inch. Crease the fold and iron it flat. Fold the fabric 1/2 inch again, concealing the cut edge. Crease and iron the second fold. Pin the creased fold in place and sew along the edge with a 1/4-inch seam. Repeat this process with the right side of the rectangle.

6. Spread out the body horizontally, right-side up. Fold in each hemmed side, matching the edges in the center. Lay the topper front-side up with the cut edge at the top. Slide the topper down into the center of the body. The two hemmed edges of the body should be over the topper and the back beneath the topper. Position the front center of the topper with the hemmed edges. Match up the top cut edges of both pieces.

7. Pin around the matched edges of the topper and the body, holding them together. Pin all four edges together as one. Grab the left folded side of the body and invert the fold, pulling it to meet the side of the topper, and pin them together. Repeat with the right folded side. This creates two smaller folds on each side of the body, one at the top and bottom. Fold over the top two folds, one on each side, matching the cut top edges up with the already pinned top edges. Turn the diapers stacker bag over and repeat for the two bottom folds.

8. Sew along the pinned edges with a 1/2-inch seam, attaching the topper to the body and securing the side pleats in place. Turn the diaper stacker bag right-side out and lay it facing up.

9. Position one of the bottom rectangles horizontally at the bottom cut edge of the body with the right-side of the rectangle facing outside of the bag. Match up the top edge of the rectangle with the two front folds. Center the folds with the top edge and pin in place. Extend the fabric from each side fold and pin in the top corners of the rectangle. Work around the bottom edge of the body, straightening the edges and pinning in place around the sides of the rectangle.

10. Sew around the pinned edges of the rectangle with a 1/4-inch seam, attaching the bottom to the diaper stacker bag.

11. Place the two final bottom rectangles right-sides together, lining up and pinning all four edges. Sew around the two longest ends and one short side with a 1/2-inch seam. Turn the casing right-side out and insert the cut cardboard. Turn in the open edges of the casing and pin together. Sew along the pinned edges, closing the casing. Insert the cardboard casing into the bottom of the diaper stacker bag.