How to Make Diaper Soaker Pads
Diaper soaker pads add flexibility to cloth diapering. Soaker pads can be used alone in a pocket-style cloth diaper or as a nighttime addition to ensure that a baby goes longer without leaking. Soaker pads are best when made out of cotton fabric because of cotton's absorbency. The best types of cotton for soakers include flannel, birdseye and hemp.
Things You'll Need
- 1 yard 100% cotton, bamboo or hemp fabric such as flannels and broadcloth
- Thick paper such as cardstock or cardboard
- Tape measure
- Disappearing ink pen
- Scissors
- Pins
- Sewing machine
Instructions
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1
Prewash your fabric in hot water and machine dry to pre-shrink the fabric.
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2
Determine the size of soaker you'll need and draft a rectangular pattern in the correct size. Newborns require a 4-inch-by-13 1/2-inch soaker, babies from six months to one year require a 5-inch-by-17 1/2-inch soaker and toddlers use a 6-inch-b- 20 1/2-inch soaker.
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3
Trace your pattern onto the fabric with a disappearing ink pen. You'll need six rectangles for each soaker pad.
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4
Cut out the rectangles and stack the layers so that each lines up with the previous one.
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5
Pin the layers together all the way around so that the layers will not slide while you sew them.
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6
Stitch the layers closed, leaving one of the shorter sides unsewn.
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7
Re-stitch around the sewn edges with a zig-zag stitch, following the previous seam.
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8
Trim off the access fabric from around the edges, leaving 1/8 inch behind.
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9
Turn the soaker right side out so that the rough, unsewn edges are tucked inside.
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10
Fold and stitch the last end so that the soaker is one solid rectangle.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If using hemp, wash the soaker four to five times before using it for your baby to wash away the natural oils that will repel liquid.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
