Cloth Diapers

Our contoured diaper adventure continues with a need for smaller diapers.   I inherited a pile of contoured diapers from my childhood, but they are so over sized I have to fold over the front and the back and the crotch is so wide my child will becomes bowlegged so I have made it my goal this week to create some smaller sizes that are more comfortable for him.  One of the benefits of these diapers are that they are simple and inexpensive.  All I used were some pieces of flannel, thread, an old towel, and some velcro for the fancier version.  I'll give a short impromptu tuturoial of how to make these but I've been trying to tweek the design after seeing how they fit Colby once they are made.  I do recommend washing the flannel and drying at a high heat before making the diapers.

Step 1:  Come up with a pattern.  I used an old diaper and just traced it and made it smaller across the crotch and shorter in length.  Here's an example of the diaper pattern I used.

  Step 2:  Cut out 2 pieces of flannel using the pattern. 

Step 3:  Cut a piece of terry cloth or old bath towel into a rectangle to fit into crotch of diaper.  Leave a few inches at the top and bottom so it will be easier to pin through.  Sew rectangle onto wrong side of flannel piece making sure to sew around edges and at least once down the middle. 

Step 4:  Next sew the two pieces of flannel together good sides facing each other around the edges, leave a gap at one side to make room to turn it right side out. 

Step 5:  Turn right side out and top stitch around the entire edges closing the gap from earlier as well.

Step 6:  If you are interested in making these with hook and loop (velcro) instead of using safety pins attach the hook and loop. I recommend trying the diapers on your child and marking where the hook and loop should go before sewing it on.  I also sewed little pockets on the "wings" to cover up the hook and loop for the wash.

Frosty Paws-Frozen Dog Treat Recipe

Here's my first attempt at a non-baby item.  Our Golden Retriever is our first child, so I tend to cook and bake for her almost as much as for my husband.  This recipe my husband got from a coworker and she loves them.  I tweeked the recipe to make it healthier for her which is kind of humorous because I just baked myself a pan of brownies with lots of butter, sugar, and chocolate. She's supposed to hold the frozen treat between her paws, hence the name frosty paws, but she hasn't grasped that yet so she just licks and licks at it-which keeps her occupied for quite a bit longer. 

Frosty Paws Original Recipe
32 oz vanilla yogurt
1 ripe banana
2 Tbsp peanut butter
2 Tbsp honey


Blend everything together and pour into paper cups (since my dog is a big eater I put them in 8 oz glasses instead of smaller cups). Freeze.  When ready to eat run cup under hot water to release it and give it to your favorite pup.  I used plain yogurt and added extra water to dilute it down. 

The Return

Finally, after a long pregnancy hiatus, I have returned to my former sewing and baking self.  Recently I have been quite excited about making cloth diapers, covers, and all things baby related.  Colby, my soon, still is in the sleep, poop, and eat phase so this leaves much time for my crafting, as long as I don't feel the need to take a nap as well.  He is wearing cloth diapers during the day and disposables at night.  It has been quite the learning process but I have come to love cloth diapers with the main advantage being able to tell when he is actually wet or not-but cloth diapering will have to wait for another post.  I will have to apologize for most of my posts being baby and child related-but I plan to eventually get back to things more grownup maybe in a decade or so. I also apologize for my post pregnancy brain and having scattered thoughts.  Thanks for your patience and reading.