How to Make Wool Diaper Covers

Wool diaper covers are a great option for cloth-diapered babies. They breathe well, keeping baby's skin healthy, are naturally antibacterial and can be made quite inexpensively. You can knit or crochet wool diaper covers. However, you also can sew them from recycled wool sweaters. This is quick, easy, and can be done with minimal sewing skills. Moreover, they are easily customizable to a variety of wool cover styles.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 100 percent wool sweaters Lanolin Sewing machine with zigzag capability Thread Elastic (if desired)

1. Wash your sweaters. If you have a heavy wetter and want a felted diaper cover, wash on hot, and allow your sweater to agitate. If you prefer a lighter weight cover, wash in cold water by hand or without agitation in the washer. You might consider adding a bit of hair conditioner to the rinse water to soften scratchy wools.

2. Decide whether you want a traditional diaper soaker-style cover, a pair of shorties or a pair of longies. A soaker-type cover will work well under clothing, while shorties or longies can take the place of pants. You may even be able to make both out of a single large sweater.

3. Measure baby's waist, rise and thighs, over your usual cloth diaper. For a soaker-style cover, cut an equilateral triangle shape out of the front or back of your sweater. Each side of your triangle should equal baby's waist measurement. Cut the waistband off the sweater to create a waist for your soaker if needed, and the cuffs off of the sweater to create leg cuffs. You also can cut the base of your triangle on the bottom waist ribbing to save a step in this process. Bring the three points of the triangle together. Pin and stitch partially, leaving the leg openings your desired size. Zigzag all seams. Cut the waist and cuffs down to the desired size. Stitch and zigzag. Pin to your soaker, right sides together, and stitch in place.

4. Take a pair of your baby's pants, and put one leg into the other, revealing the inner crotch curve. Use this curve as a pattern for your shorties or longies. Cut the sleeve to the length you need. Cut this curve into the sleeves. You can leave the sleeve hems or ribbing intact and use these as the leg cuffs, or simply hem as desired. Place your two legs together, right sides together, and sew this seam. Finish with a zigzag stitch. Turn down a casing, and add elastic for a waistband.

5. Use lanolin to waterproof your wool diaper covers. Dissolve a small amount of lanolin in hot water. Soak your new soaker, shorties or longies in a sink of lukewarm water. Add the lanolin, and allow to soak for a short period. Roll excess water out in a towel, and dry flat. You also can purchase lanolin spray or liquid lanolin to make this process a bit less time consuming.

Tips & Warnings

• Wool doesn't need washed every time it is used. Hang your covers to dry if they become damp, and wash only as needed.
• Lanolin can leave yellowish stains and a slightly sticky feel to your wool. Neither is harmful, but both can be prevented by making sure your lanolin is thoroughly dissolved before it is added.