By Priscilla Carpenter, Owner of MonsterBabyDiapers.com

Cloth diapers are making a comeback in an age of
environmental consciousness and economical hardships faced by moms who
want to stay home with their children.  However, even though using cloth saves moms a lot of money, it ends up being a huge investment in the beginning.  My solution to this was to just make my own.

You will need:

•  100% Cotton or Hemp Fabric (about ½ to ¾ yd. per diaper, depending on the size)
•  1/4" cotton braided elastic
• Closures of your choice (hook and loop, snaps, etc.)
• Matching thread

Recycled fabrics work well, but tend to wear out
faster. It is definitely the way to go if you’re just starting out or
if you don’t have a lot of money to put into the project. You can use
t-shirts, flannel sheets, or any other soft, absorbent fabric. I have
found that 100% cotton works the best. Once you perfect your pattern
and skills, look for co-ops offering hemp/cotton French terry or jersey
or more expensive organic cotton knits. JoAnn Fabrics also sells cotton
birdseye and diaper twill, which works well for simple, inexpensive
diapers.

Once you gather enough fabric, start on a pattern.
You can buy one or make your own, which is very simple to do. You can
find instructions with photos on the web here.

Hint: after
cutting out the pattern that works for you on newspaper, cut it out on
felt or interfacing to avoid using pins and to preserve your pattern.
Another good way to use patterns is to trace them onto the fabric with
a felt tip marker, then use scissors or a rotary cutter to cut the
pattern out.

After cutting your diaper pattern, cut out two rectangles for a
trifold soaker. These pieces should be about 12 or 13 inches wide and
the length of your diaper. You can either serge around the edges with
woolly nylon or you can place the pieces right sides together,
stitching around the edges, leaving an opening of about 4 inches to
turn right side out. Then topstitch close to the edge all the way
around, making sure to catch both layers at the opening.

For the diaper body, place the pieces right sides together. Stitch
at the front waist about 1" from the corner and sew about 3/8" from the
edge. When you get to the section where the leg starts to curve, place
the elastic under the foot and switch to a 1/4" zig-zag. Stretch the
elastic as you sew, making sure you catch both layers of fabric.
Stretch the elastic until you reach the tabs of the diaper. Then start
the elastic again on the back.  I have found that
a lot of elastic makes a big difference in fit, so I start the elastic
2-3 inches from the edge of the back of the diaper. You can also add
elastic to the front waist if you wish. Remember to stop sewing at
least 2" from where you started so that you can turn the diaper right
side out. Then just top-stitch over the opening and all around the
diaper, stretching the elastic areas.  Add your closures, and you’re done!