Recycled t-shirt diaper

Hello and welcome! After looking at the entry and exit pages for my blog I found this page is the one that most people view. I decided to update this entry with a new tutorial for making a recycled t-shirt diaper that reflects how I make the little guys diapers now. For a turned and stitched version of this diaper see my post on the red velvet recycled diaper. Instructions on how to make a turned and stitched diaper are in the newborn ai2 diaper tutorial post. The original post is included below also so feel free to scroll down and check it out. The little guy is now a toddler and I have made a lot of diapers for him since I wrote the original post. Hemp fabric is still my favorite choice for making diapers, but I also love using thrift store t-shirts. The following diaper was made entirely out of a t-shirt with the exception that I added a layer of synthetic micro fleece to line the diaper. This is entirely optional and the whole diaper can be made from the t-shirt. The diaper style is front opening pocket with a separate insert. I started making pocket diapers for my little one a while back because I found like many others that they dry quickly and are very practical since you can add extra layers. So on to the new tutorial.

Instructions for pocket t-shirt diaper

Diaper pattern can be downloaded in three pdf files.
nvpockdiap1
nvpockdiap2
nvpockdiap3
The diaper can be made using a regular machine or serger. I used a regular machine and did a zig zag on the edges. It can also be turned and top stitched. The size of the diaper is medium to large and is a bit larger if you use a zig zag edge.

Materials: XL 100% cotton t-shirt and optional small piece of micro fleece for the liner. I also use hook and loop for the fasteners. Elastic for the legs and back.

1. With the pattern cut out the diaper back and front along with the insert using the t-shirt. Cut off the neckline and cut two pieces eight inch long for the front pocket opening. Cut a front insert using the sleeves and half of the insert pattern (four layers). Optional only, but you can add an applique to the back using scrap t-shirt fabric. Cut out the micro fleece liner using the pattern without the wings. This again is optional. You will also need elastic and hook and loop tape. I use 1.5 inch wide hook and loop and 3/8 inch elastic. The long loop piece is 8 inches and the smaller loop pieces are 1 inch. The hook pieces are 2 inches.



2. Sew the wings to the diaper outside. Sew the neckline facing to the front edge of the diaper. I use a three stitch zig zag. Sew the eight inch loop tape one inch down from the front edge.


3. Sew the wings to the diaper inside. Layer the diaper inside with the micro fleece fabric on top. If you decide not to use micro fleece then sew the wings to the diaper inside only. Sew the two inch hook tabs on on the wings. Sew the one inch laundry loop tabs near the hook tabs. Sew the other eight inch neckline facing to the front of the diaper inside.



4. Sew the elastic to the wrong side of the inside diaper piece at the leg openings and the back of the diaper. Use the guide on the pattern for placement of the elastic. I use a three stitch zig zag, but a regular zig zag will work also. Just make sure to pull the elastic very tightly as you sew.


5. Pin and Sew the inside and outside diaper fabric together with the rights sides facing outward. Zig zag around the entire diaper leaving the front pocket open for the insert. I use a three stitch zig zag, but regular is fine also. Sew the inside and outside diaper together along the elastic lines using a three stitch or regular zig zag. This creates a nice ruffle along the elastic on the outside of the diaper. You can also add a optional two inch piece of loop to the right front wing so the diaper wings can cross and give you wider size range.


6. Sew the four pieces of the long and short insert together and zig zag the edge. Place the short insert on top of the long insert in the desired location. I put it towards the front for my little guy. The insert will have four layers in the back and eight layers in the front. You can also add a layer or two of hemp fleece to increase the absorbency, but the cotton knit works pretty well also since you have ten layers total in the front wet zone. Stuff the insert in the diaper, add a cover and ready for use.






Below is the original t-shirt diaper post.




T-shirts are great for making diapers. It is a really inexpensive way to make a very fun diaper. I used a XL t-shirt from Chris that he got from a WNRN community radio fundraiser. I was able to get two diapers cut from one t-shirt. I added a layer of organic cotton fleece and a synthetic micro fleece liner, but other than that I used only t-shirt fabric. I made the diaper the same way as shown in the diaper tutorial and used the free pattern from Studio Tuumat. I did add extra circles of t-shirt fabric in front of the diaper to make a boy diaper. I figured it was a good use of the scrap fabric. I also extended the fleece portion throughout the inside of the diaper.

Instructions for t-shirt diaper

Materials: XL t-shirt for main body of the diaper. Organic cotton fleece for the soaker and synthetic fleece for the liner. I also use Velcro for the fasteners.


1. With the pattern cut out the diaper back and front using the t-shirt. Cut out one liner piece from the t-shirt and from organic cotton fleece. I round the edges for the liner. Cut out the shaped piece of fleece fabric for the inside. Cut out 4 inch circles from scrap pieces of the t-shirt. I used six layers total. You will also need elastic and Velcro. I use one inch wide Velcro and quarter inch elastic. The long loop piece is 8 inches and the smaller loop pieces are 1 inch. The hook pieces are 2 inches.


2. Pin the two layers of the liner to the wrong side of the inside fabric for the diaper. Sew and zig zag the liner to the inside fabric. Pin the six circle layers to the front. Sew and zig the circles to the inside fabric.



3. Turn over to the right side of the inside fabric and pin the fleece liner in place. Sew and zig zag the fleece liner to the inside fabric.

4. Sew the elastic to the wrong side of the inside diaper piece at the leg openings and the back of the diaper. Use the guide on the pattern for placement of the elastic. I use a three stitch zig zag, but a regular zig zag will work also. Just make sure to pull the elastic very tightly as you sew.

5. Pin and Sew the inside and outside diaper fabric together with the rights sides facing outward. Zig zag around the entire diaper. Sew the inside and outside diaper together along the elastic lines using a three stitch or regular zig zag. This creates a nice ruffle along the elastic on the outside of the diaper.


6. Sew the loop Velcro on the front of the diaper and the loop and hook Velcro on the wings. All done and ready for use.