Cloth Diaper Patterns and Resources

Want to sew cloth diapers? Although I retail several cloth diaper brands, my goal is to see as many baby behinds in cloth as possible. So I am happy to help you find the resources you need to sew cloth diapers. You will also find a limited number of cloth diaper sewing fabrics in my store.

Sewing your own cloth diapers is a great way to save money. You can start out with recycled materials such as old t-shirts or flannel pajama pants and wool sweaters. Or you can invest in top quality materials such as polyurethane laminate (PUL) and cotton or hemp absorbent fabrics.

You can find many free diaper patterns on the internet, although some of the best patterns are worth paying for. It makes sense to pay $12-20 for a really good pattern if you will be sewing a lot of cloth diapers. You'll save money on materials as well as frustration!

Cloth Diaper Patterns

Diaper Sewing A tutorial site for cloth diaper sewing. Step by step pictures and instructions for diapers, covers, cloth menstrual pads and more.

Mama Bird Pattern A really nice diaper pattern. They do run a little small so you may want to add a bit to the length and the tabs.

Ottobre Designs Ottobre designs has a nice 2 size diaper pattern. Runs a little big, so you may want to make one, then adjust the pattern to fit your needs. The larger size is good as is for older toddlers. Ottobre also has a popular knitted wool diaper cover pattern.

Frugal Diaper Patterns Recycling fabrics is a good way to save money if you are looking for truly frugal diapering. You can use cotton t-shirts, flannel blankets, towels and flannel sheets to make really, really cheap diapers. Pick up a set of flannel sheets at a garage sale or thrift store (easy to find in the summer) or grab a brand new flannel sheet set on clearance in late winter. You can sew a whole stash from a few sheets and you'll save a bundle. Jersey knit sheets work as well as long as they are 100% cotton.

Recycled Butt Sweater Wool covers are easy to use and cheap to make with a few soft wool sweaters from a thrift store or garage sale. Check your closet or ask relatives if they have any soft wool sweaters that need a new life. Just be sure it is as close to 100% wool as possible. You can also make long pants with the sweater arms.

More Wool Soaker Patterns With a few skeins of soft, pure wool yarn ($4-8 a skein or so, most covers require about 100-150 grams or 1 1/2 skeins) you can crochet or knit wool diaper covers while watching movies or waiting at the doctor's office. Wool soakers are soft, cute, and very addictive.

Pull On Fleece Cover A step by step photo lesson on how to make a fleece diaper cover.

Chloe Toes The Chloe Toes diaper pattern is recommended time and again all over the diaper sewing lists. I have not used it myself, but the vast number of enthusiasts speak very highly of it. In addition, Catharine is a super nice lady and very willing to answer questions.

Where to buy diaper sewing fabrics?

You can find diaper sewing fabrics on group buy or coop sites and in a handful of online stores. As I mentioned, I do carry a small but growing number of supplies in my store. These are usually leftovers from my group buying list:

Art By Craft You can get great deals but you may have to wait since group buys often take 2 months or more to finish. We regularly combine buying power for PUL and do it yourself PUL fabrics.

A couple of other great group buy sites for diaper supplies:

This End Up Denise runs a great coop and often has hard to find items like colored fold over elastic.

Cloth Diaper Supplies Stacey often has hemp, cotton sherpa and other good buys.

Diaper Sewing Supply Stores

Sewing Shoppe Sells many diaper fabrics and patterns.

One Stop Diaper Shop Carries fold over elastic, size tags and other useful supplies.

The Snap Store A great place to buy plastic snaps and a snap press. They also carry hemp fabrics.