How to Sew Cloth Diapers From Flannel Sheets

Cloth diapers are an eco-friendly way to care for your baby and, if you have a sewing machine and a few hours, you can easily make your own out of flat flannel sheets. Whether you repurpose old holey sheets to make your diapers or if you buy new flannel sheets, the diapers you make will last longer than any you can purchase. These diapers will be significantly less expensive as well.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Flat flannel sheet of any color, print, or size
• Scissors or pinking shears
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Iron
• Blanket or mattress pad
• Measuring tape

1. Spread a blanket or a mattress pad on a large metal or wooden table. This will protect the table from the heat of the iron. Unfold a flat flannel sheet on top of this pad. Plug in the iron and dial it to the cotton setting. When it is hot, iron out any wrinkles on the sheet.

2. Place your measuring tape on the top right corner of the sheet. Mark 18 inches from the right edge by clipping a slice going from the top of the sheet towards the bottom about one inch deep. Then measure 18 inches from the first clip mark going left along the top of the sheet. Continue marking every 18 inches with a small cut. Your cloth diapers will be a little less than 18 inches wide after you account for the seams.

3. Rip the sheets into strips that are each 18 inches wide by pulling each clip mark apart. Flannel is cotton which rips easily into straight strips that follow the grain of the fabric. Use scissors to divide each strip into panels of cloth that are 15 inches long and 18 inches wide. The actual number of cloth panels will vary due to the size sheet you chose. If you are repurposing old sheets, discard any pieces that have holes or are worn very thin.

4. Pile three 15 x 18 inch panels on top of each other so that each of your cloth diapers will be three layers thick. Use your sewing machine to make a straight 1/4 inch seam through all three layers of fabric along both the long (18 inch) edges leaving the short sides open for now.

5. Put one hand between the top layer and the middle layer ( the fabric will act like a tube because it is open on both the top and the bottom) and grab the bottom two layers at the other side of the tube. Pull the fabric through the opening. This turns the diaper inside out so that the sides of the diaper can never fray. Iron the diapers to make the sides lay flat.

6. Fold about 1/2 inch of the top edge into the center of the diaper. Iron this in place. Then stitch it shut with a straight 1/4 inch wide seam using the sewing machine. Do the same with the bottom edge.

7. Sew a straight seam through all three layers of fabric that runs from the top to the bottom of the diaper one third of the distance (5 3/4 inches) from the left side. Sew another straight seam one third of the distance (5 3/4 inches) from the right side. Now you can easily fold the diaper for storage or to put it on your baby. Don't forget to use diaper pins that have protective closures. You will also need to use rubber pants to protect your baby's outer garments from getting wet or soiled.