Diaper Swappers

marisolstice · 05-15-2011, 02:09 PM

Disclaimer: I can barely sew, so please excuse all the mistakes.

I wanted to try some "daddy flats" but couldn't find much info on them, or a pattern, so this is how I made them. I used DH's old t-shirts, and love how they work as diapers. Soft, a little stretchy, absorbent, and free! Can't beat that! The wash-and-driability of flats with the convenience of a prefold. And did I mention free?

Trace a diaper on posterboard. This is a MEOS. I traced it generously and stretched out the tabs. Cut down diagonally to make wings. The tabs are cut a little lower so they fit into the diaper when it's all folded up.

Now you have a template.

Turn t-shirt upside down (for easier cutting) and spread flat. This is a men's x-large, which is a great fit on my 24 lber. I've also used men's large and youth large; these are very forgiving so you can use just about anything and tweak it.

Borrow your kid's washable marker and trace template onto shirt.

Take off the template and this is how your shirt looks.

Cut along the lines. Now you'll only be working with the bottom half of the t-shirt.

Pin now while it's all flat. If you want to turn and topstitch and make it all pretty, you'll want to turn it inside out before pinning. Put the pinheads on the cut side of fabric so you don't stick yourself while sewing.

I can barely sew, and didn't care how these looked, so I just zigzagged around the edge, and used up random colors of poorly-wound bobbin thread. This material won't fray anyway. Use a ballpoint needle and poly thread if you can! That made such a difference for me

All sewn together.

Trim to neaten up.

Ready for a baby! Fold in sides (this makes the soaker-6 layers when folded).

Fold up the front. If the rise is too long, just fold it down. This is pretty much a one-size diaper.

The wings are nice and long...I really like it pinned with one pin in the middle. It also Snappis well. Now you have a basic white diaper.

Or you can dye them and make beautiful diapers

More

Precut and dyed, ready to be sewn

So if you have a sewing machine, internet access, and old t-shirts, you can have fairly convenient diapers for the cost of your time. The hardest part is threading the machine and winding the bobbin. Like I said, I really can't sew, but these only took a half hour each to cut out and sew. If you have any skill, you could knock out a whole stash in half a day! And you can theoretically use any material, and sew in soakers, add snaps, whatever (I haven't actually tried that yet

)

Have fun!

CamoMom · 05-15-2011, 02:22 PM

Dude. That. Was. AWESOME!!!!! Now I know what to do with all those tees my mom gave to me that are just way too short!!!

Inspiration--that's what you are!

katelyn08 · 05-15-2011, 02:27 PM

Love it! Thanks!
Dh just told me NO, I will have to try that out with all my pre pregnancy shirts that are way too small now. You did a great job!

deannaashley · 05-15-2011, 02:31 PM

I just made something similar in a newborn size this morning. Do you think the 2 layers (6 when folded) is enough? I actually used 4 layers in mine so 12 when folded.. But if 2 will work I could get even more diapers.... I LOVE LOVE LOVE the tie dye job!! man I sure wish I could do that good!!

MNclothdiaperin'Momma · 05-15-2011, 02:32 PM

That's a great idea! Will have to try making some!

marisolstice · 05-15-2011, 02:35 PM

Hahaha...yeah, my DH just received 15 new t-shirts since DS now has new diapers.

When I used a smaller size t-shirt, I just incorporated the shirt sleeves into the soaker part, if that makes sense. And the narrower body of the t-shirt means the soaker panels overlap a little less. Still functions the same though, if you aren't picky about how it looks.

mariannec32 · 05-15-2011, 02:37 PM

This is great! I really love that you could also get away without sewing since T-shirt's don't fray. Thanks!

marisolstice · 05-15-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deannaashley

I just made something similar in a newborn size this morning. Do you think the 2 layers (6 when folded) is enough? I actually used 4 layers in mine so 12 when folded.. But if 2 will work I could get even more diapers.... I LOVE LOVE LOVE the tie dye job!! man I sure wish I could do that good!!

I like the 6 layers fine for daytime. I also made two of them with an extra 2 sewn in layers (so 8 when folded, like a premium prefold) but didn't feel like the extra time was worth it. T-shirt material seems denser than muslin or floursacks, maybe equivalent to birdseye, so I think it's aborbent enough.

Show us pics of yours!

Sherrie87 · 05-15-2011, 02:47 PM

how cool!!! i have made fitteds for t shirt..but these are to cool, i just got to figure out the tye dyeing..lol

nature chic · 05-15-2011, 02:56 PM

This is awesome!!! totally going to try it-- thanks!!!

05-15-2011, 02:09 PM	#1
marisolstice Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 884 Ratings: 38 Feedback: 100%	Here's how I made some Daddy Flats (mini tutorial with photos)... Disclaimer: I can barely sew, so please excuse all the mistakes. I wanted to try some "daddy flats" but couldn't find much info on them, or a pattern, so this is how I made them. I used DH's old t-shirts, and love how they work as diapers. Soft, a little stretchy, absorbent, and free! Can't beat that! The wash-and-driability of flats with the convenience of a prefold. And did I mention free? Trace a diaper on posterboard. This is a MEOS. I traced it generously and stretched out the tabs. Cut down diagonally to make wings. The tabs are cut a little lower so they fit into the diaper when it's all folded up. Now you have a template. Turn t-shirt upside down (for easier cutting) and spread flat. This is a men's x-large, which is a great fit on my 24 lber. I've also used men's large and youth large; these are very forgiving so you can use just about anything and tweak it. Borrow your kid's washable marker and trace template onto shirt. Take off the template and this is how your shirt looks. Cut along the lines. Now you'll only be working with the bottom half of the t-shirt. Pin now while it's all flat. If you want to turn and topstitch and make it all pretty, you'll want to turn it inside out before pinning. Put the pinheads on the cut side of fabric so you don't stick yourself while sewing. I can barely sew, and didn't care how these looked, so I just zigzagged around the edge, and used up random colors of poorly-wound bobbin thread. This material won't fray anyway. Use a ballpoint needle and poly thread if you can! That made such a difference for me All sewn together. Trim to neaten up. Ready for a baby! Fold in sides (this makes the soaker-6 layers when folded). Fold up the front. If the rise is too long, just fold it down. This is pretty much a one-size diaper. The wings are nice and long...I really like it pinned with one pin in the middle. It also Snappis well. Now you have a basic white diaper. Or you can dye them and make beautiful diapers More Precut and dyed, ready to be sewn So if you have a sewing machine, internet access, and old t-shirts, you can have fairly convenient diapers for the cost of your time. The hardest part is threading the machine and winding the bobbin. Like I said, I really can't sew, but these only took a half hour each to cut out and sew. If you have any skill, you could knock out a whole stash in half a day! And you can theoretically use any material, and sew in soakers, add snaps, whatever (I haven't actually tried that yet) Have fun! __________________ Sarah Last edited by marisolstice; 06-02-2011 at 11:49 AM. Reason: fixed photos

05-15-2011, 02:22 PM	#2
CamoMom Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 1,082 Ratings: 84 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Here's how I made some Daddy Flats (mini tutorial with photos)... Dude. That. Was. AWESOME!!!!! Now I know what to do with all those tees my mom gave to me that are just way too short!!! Inspiration--that's what you are! __________________ Kris~~crazy (retired)Army wife to Pete since 9/89 part-time blogging and full-time homeschooling Mom to: Jon 21 (my other soldier boy and married! ), Kelsey 19(married to a soldier and expecting my first grandbaby!!! IT'S A BOY!), Morgan 8, Jamie 7, Danica 5, Shelby 3, and Kasey 2

05-15-2011, 02:27 PM	#3
katelyn08 Registered Users Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntington, WV Posts: 379 Ratings: 4 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Here's how I made some Daddy Flats (mini tutorial with photos)... Love it! Thanks! Dh just told me NO, I will have to try that out with all my pre pregnancy shirts that are way too small now. You did a great job! __________________ SAHM to A & A

05-15-2011, 02:31 PM	#4
deannaashley Registered Users Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: SW Florida Posts: 50	Re: Here's how I made some Daddy Flats (mini tutorial with photos)... I just made something similar in a newborn size this morning. Do you think the 2 layers (6 when folded) is enough? I actually used 4 layers in mine so 12 when folded.. But if 2 will work I could get even more diapers.... I LOVE LOVE LOVE the tie dye job!! man I sure wish I could do that good!!

05-15-2011, 02:32 PM	#5
MNclothdiaperin'Momma Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: MN Posts: 778 Ratings: 2 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Here's how I made some Daddy Flats (mini tutorial with photos)... That's a great idea! Will have to try making some! __________________ Amy~Married to my HS sweetheart , SAHMomma to DD (12/5/08) & DS (3/31/10) & DS (4/13/12)