How to Buy Used or Sew Your Own Cloth Diapers
February 21, 2007 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under how to, mothering
The other day I wrote about Using Cloth Diapers. While using cloth diapers can help a family save money in the long run (see this savings calculator), the initial investment can be quite expensive depending on the cloth diapering system and brand you choose. I bought my Fuzzi Bunz diapers used on eBay. I’ve had friends who have had success with the sales forums at diaperpin.com (one friend advised that it’s best to create your username and password and login before searching for diapers because the items listed often sell quickly and you’ll want to get the contact information and email the seller as soon as possible after making your choice). If you do buy used, always make sure to check the original manufacturer’s instructions for proper care and washing. Consider boiling the diapers (if the fabrics/system can tolerate it) to ensure they are sanitary for your baby.
If you’re handy with a sewing machine another option is to sew your own cloth diapers. Here are some resources for free patterns and templates:
www.thediaperhyena.com
www.diaperjungle.com
www.diapersewing.com
www.sleepingbaby.net/jan (scroll down to diaper projects)
If you want to buy a pattern, check out this compilation of reviews of cloth diaper patterns.
Great links. I love sewing my own diapers, it’s pretty easy to do ans saves me a ton of money!
You can also check out these sites for used diapers:
DiaperSwappers.com
DiaperTraders.com
HyenaCart.com/Spots_corner
Thank you for encouraging Moms and sharing great information. I have a free diaper pattern to share.
I am out of cloth diaper circles now since my youngest of 7 is almost trained. But, my heart will always be there.
One new thing that I reccomend is external soakers and not so many layers insdie diapers since the change in laundry soaps. When phosphates were removed it seemed like getting the soap out of diapers got a whole lot harder. I am not sure why. I found though that external soakers get cleaner.
I like tounge style soakers and soakers that trifold in the middle of a diaper. I wish that my life would permit my perfecting a new soaker for my pattern and posting it, but I am moving on to the demands of a house full of School aged kids and one at home.
Best Wishes!
If you click on my name it will take you to my pattern, but here it is typed out. ;o)
geocities.com/myfreediaperpattern