How to Make Diaper Cakes

Once you get the hang of it, making a diaper cake for a baby shower is a fairly quick and straightforward process. These "cakes," which consist of layers and tiers of rolled diapers, can be decorated in many ways, making this gift extremely customizable. In addition to receiving the more than 50 diapers it takes to make this cake, the recipient will also be treated to two bottles and whatever add-ons you include, such as pacifiers, washcloths, toys and clothes.

Things You'll Need

• 60 diapers (Size 1, 2 or 3)
• Small and large rubber bands
• Ribbon
• 8 oz. baby bottle
• 4 oz. baby bottle
• Baby supplies
• Cake base

Instructions

1. Take a diaper from the package. Open it and lay it flat, with the front of the diaper closest to you. Keep the tabs in. Starting at the front of the diaper (the part closest to you), roll it up all the way to the back of the diaper. Keep the rolled diaper together with a small rubber band. Repeat for all of the diapers.

2. Create the bottom tier of the diaper cake. Place the 8 oz. bottle in the center of the cardboard base so you can build around it. Place a rubber band around the bottle.

3. Begin placing diapers inside the rubber band, standing them vertically next to the bottle. You'll need six diapers for the inside ring of the bottom tier. Two more rings will follow before you move up to the second tier.

4. Build another ring outside of the six-diaper ring. Place a large rubber band around the six-diaper ring. Add six diapers around the first ring, inserting them one at a time behind the rubber band. The bottom ring now contains 12 diapers.

5. Complete the bottom tier of the diaper cake. Place another large rubber band around the second ring. Wrap a length of ribbon at least 1/4-inch thick around 18 individual diaper rolls and the ribbons in a bow. Add the 18 diapers behind the rubber band around the second ring, keeping the bows facing the outside.

6. Create the middle tier. Secure six rolled diapers together in a circle with a rubber band. Tie individual ribbons on 12 rolled-up diapers as you did previously, and add these diapers around the six-diaper layer. Secure the outer layer with a large rubber band.

7. Place the middle tier on top of the bottom layer, centering it around the top of the bottle. Place the 4 oz. bottle in the middle of the middle tier. Part of the bottle should stick up above the diapers.

8. Create the top layer of the diaper cake. Use a rubber band to secure six rolled diapers together in a circle. Place the top layer of diapers around the top of the 4 oz. bottle to complete the cake's layers.

9. Tie a wide ribbon around the top and middle tiers to give the cake a more cake-like appearance and hide the rubber bands. Use an opaque ribbon in the color or theme of your choosing.

10. Add the baby embellishments to decorate your cake. Use items the mother-to-be will find handy, such as thermometers, pacifiers, baby washcloths, travel-sized baby soaps and lotions.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of wrapping ribbon around each tier, wrap a receiving blanket around the layers to create a different look.

• If you have diapers left over, you can fill in any gaps you may see.

References

• YouTube: How to Make a Diaper Cake