If you think making homemade diapers is only for the very frugal, you would be half right. Making your own diapers is something that the very frugal and the very creative do. Depending upon which end of the spectrum you’re on, it can be a simple project or a more complex one.

The fact is, diapers can be made from many fabrics that you probably already have lying around the house. Think you don’t have fabric just lying around? What about these?

• Old T-shirts
• Unused receiving blankets
• Tattered towels
• Spare dish towels
• Worn out flannel shirts

All of those items make great diapers and are essentially free. Here is the easiest way to convert them into diapers:

1. Prewash all items.
2. Cut 25×25 inch squares out of the fabric (this size is designed to fit babies big and small — if you want, you can cut the fabric smaller to reduce bulkiness).
3. Using a needle and thread or a sewing machine, hem up the edges to prevent unraveling.
4. Fold the squares into thirds and insert into a diaper cover.
5. If you find you need more absorbency, you can make your own doublers by cutting out rectangles in the width of your folded diaper from an absorbent material. Finish the edges as you did with the diapers. These doublers can be inserted into the folds of the diaper or simply laid out on top of the folded diaper.

How easy (and cheap) was that?!

Now, for those of you who are more creatively inclined or who want to make a diapering system that is a bit more sophisticated than recycled flat diapers, there are many patterns available for prefolds, fitteds, contours, and all-in-ones. Many such patterns are available for purchase and when weighed against the cost of diapers, may be a great deal. On the other hand, there are a number of enterprising parents who very generously share their patterns for free. Since I am creatively challenged in this area, I will direct you to some of these free patterns. Please be sure to let me know which patterns worked best for you.

DiaperSewing.com – This is an excellent site with instructions for making many different types of diapers.

MamaBird – Great patterns for three different types of diapers.

My Free Diaper Pattern – Basic patterns for a one-size fitted diaper.

Dianna’s Journal – Relatively simple pattern for a fitted diaper.

Dutch Girl Diary – Detailed instructions for making a fitted diaper pattern.