With this master class, you can sew your own double-sided cocoon-nest for newborns. We remind you that you can purchase all the necessary materials for sewing on our website.

To sew a cocoon you will need:

Master class on sewing a cocoon for newborns

1. First you need to make a pattern. The dimensions of the cocoon will be as in the picture. The most convenient way is to fold a piece of fabric in half and draw only one half of the pattern. In order to cut out the second half of the cocoon, fold the second piece of fabric in half, apply the first cut pattern folded in half, trace it and also cut it out. When choosing fabric and drawing up a pattern, be sure to consider the direction of the fabric. If you are afraid of making a mistake, it is better to take 2 pieces of 95x95 cm.
   
2. When unfolded it should look like this:
   
3. We fold the patterns face to face and pin along the contour every 15-20 cm so that nothing moves anywhere
   
4. We need to stitch the cocoon around the entire perimeter with an indentation of 0.5 cm from the edge. But! you need to leave 2 technological holes for inserting the bottom and further stuffing the sides with holofiber. Each hole should be large enough for you to fit your hand through it. We will leave these holes on the inside of the cocoon. The seams should be placed like this
   
   
5. First we sew the bottom. Be sure to backtack at the beginning and end of the seams to keep the seams strong.
   
6. It should turn out like this, make notches in the corners so that the fabric does not puff up after turning it inside out
7. 
   
8. Now we make a second seam along the outer contour
   
9. We turn it inside out through the technological holes, make sure that it turns out everywhere and that there is no fabric left wrapped inside.
10. Next we need to lay another seam along the outer contour, but the distance from the edge should be already 1 cm. This way we will make a groove for the ties. You need to measure such a distance from the previous seam that you can insert a safety pin and mark this place with a tailor's pin. This is where the seam will begin and exactly the same way it should end on the other side.
    
    
11. We make a seam on the front side of the cocoon, the indentation should be 1 - 1.5 cm
    
12. It should turn out like this
    
13. Now we need to make a marking inside the cocoon along which we will sew the bottom. It is necessary to accurately repeat the outer contour, the difference between the edge and the internal markings should be 15 cm. To ensure that the padding polyester does not move anywhere during washing, it is necessary to quilt it several times, especially at the bottom. Future seams are marked in red
    
14. Next, cut out the bottom from a piece of padding polyester. It should be 3-5 cm larger than the inner outline, otherwise it will be difficult to sew on
    
15. We roll the bottom into a tube and insert it inside the cocoon through the technological hole.
    
16. We straighten it inside the cocoon with both hands, again through the technological holes. We align the seams so that they fall on the padding polyester and pin them with pins so that nothing moves out anywhere
    
17. We sew along the markings. Make sure that the fabric is not pinched anywhere. Quite often this happens on the bottom layer of fabric.
    
18. Use a safety pin to insert the grosgrain ribbon. You can also use satin, but then you need to burn the edges with a lighter so that it doesn’t fray.
    
    
19. Through the technological holes we fill the sides with holofiber
    
20. We sew up the technological holes with a hidden seam
    
21. The cocoon is ready!
    

In this article:

The baby has just been born. He is tiny and defenseless. It’s not easy for him to adapt to life outside his mother’s cozy tummy. Bright lights, loud sounds, huge space. A mother cannot hug her child every second and share the warmth of her hands with him. Therefore, many devices have been invented to help the baby get used to living in a new environment with maximum comfort. One of them is a nest for newborns.

Is it worth purchasing it? What advantages does this device provide? How to sew a nest for a newborn and where to get the pattern? Find answers to these questions in our article.

Why do you need a nest for newborns?

For Russian parents, this is a new, unexplored product, and not many people know why a nest for newborns is needed.

The purpose of the nest is to create a tight, cozy and soft space with safe sides for a newly born baby. Initially, a nest for newborns was invented for. It helps them keep warm and brings the baby’s position, as far as possible, closer to the one that was in the mother’s tummy.

The device helps solve not only psychological and emotional problems, but also ensures the normal physiological development of the premature baby. The ability to stay in the nest in the fetal position allows the baby to avoid serious pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, which can form immediately after birth, and to grow better.

Premature babies especially have a difficult time adjusting to their environment. The nest is an indispensable assistant in creating a cozy, comfortable and friendly world for them.

This device is useful not only for babies born prematurely. Even full-term babies can avoid stress, feel more confident and calm down faster.

The nest creates comfortable conditions for the baby and acts as a limiter for his movements without restricting them. You can put your newborn in it and not have to worry about turning over.

At the same time, such a device limits the movement of adults. This is especially true if the mother takes the baby into her bed. There is no need to worry that tired parents will fall asleep and accidentally crush the child.

The nest for newborns makes it easy to place the baby on its side, which is especially important in the first weeks after birth. The backrest will be supported by a soft side, and there is no need to make a special cushion. The nest allows you to carry the baby over short distances, for example, from the bedroom to the kitchen, and conveniently place it in any room. This allows the mother to free her hands for a while and do household chores while constantly monitoring the newborn.

The newborn nest is also a multifunctional mattress that can be placed in a crib, stroller or parent's bed. A pillow in the nest for a newborn is not required; the device has a natural anatomical elevation.

The device is intended for babies from the first day of life to six months. But if the newborn is large, then most likely the nest can only be used for up to 4 months. Therefore, it is better to purchase it after the baby is born.

For a premature baby, a nest 50 cm long will be optimal. For others, universal models with ties are suitable, allowing you to slightly increase the size and extend the period of use.

When choosing a nest for newborns, you need to pay attention to the material from which it is made. The fabric should not be very bright, easy to wash, not lose its original shape, not be toxic and not cause harm. To ensure maximum comfort for your baby, you need to give preference to materials that are soft and pleasant to the touch.

How to sew it yourself

The only drawback of Babynest, or, as it is popularly called, a baby nest, is its high cost. Not every mother can afford such expenses, given that the device will not last long. But if you wish, have free time and basic sewing skills, you can sew a nest for a newborn with your own hands. It's not at all difficult to make.

How to sew a nest for newborns with your own hands?

To do this you will need:

• 2 pieces of fabric measuring 0.8x1 m. The colors of the cuts may be different, then you can sew a double-sided nest for newborns.
• 2.6 m lace.
• About 3 m of satin ribbon.
• 1 kg of holofiber or synthetic fluff for the bottom and sides. The mattress in the nest for newborns can be padded with synthetic padding in several layers. It is important that the bottom is soft.
• Matching thread colors.

To make a nest for newborns, you will need a pattern.

You can watch the video at the end of the article, which shows a step-by-step master class on making a nest for a newborn.

To sew the device, you need to do the following:

1. Transfer the pattern of the nest for a newborn, which you decided to make with your own hands, onto the fabric, taking into account the seam allowances. When transferring a nest pattern for newborns, you need to mark the middle and seam line. If the product is in one color, then the fabric should be folded in half when cutting. If you want to sew a nest for newborns with your own hands in different colors, you need to cut out two identical parts from different fabrics using a pattern.
2. Baste the resulting parts with the right side inward along with the lace. After this, sew the seams and overcast the edges.
3. Turn the resulting workpiece inside out and iron it carefully.
4. Sew the place for the ribbon, leaving 2 cm from the edge.
5. Next you need to make a mattress into a nest for newborns. To make the nest comfortable for the baby, it is recommended to make several bottom parts from padding polyester or holofiber according to the pattern and fill the fabric blank with them. The mattress must be soft. To prevent the padding polyester or holofiber from pilling or bunching up when washing, you can make several transverse or oblique seams along the bottom.
6. Using a pin, thread the ribbon through.
7. Fill the sides with holofiber.
8. Carefully sew open edges by hand. It is advisable to use a hidden seam.
9. Pull the edges of the ribbon and tie a bow. The tape does not need to be cut short, so that in the future it will be possible to adjust the size of the nest as the child grows. It is advisable to process the edges of the tape so that they do not crumble.

A homemade nest for a newborn has many advantages over a finished product. Firstly, it will be made with mother’s love and warm thoughts about the baby. Secondly, mom can choose the color of the fabric and ribbon to her taste and control the quality of the materials.

It is important that you can make a nest for newborns with your own hands according to an individual pattern for any size. The cost of a product made independently is several times lower than the price that you will have to pay in a store for a finished product.

Therefore, if you want to get a high-quality, inexpensive and individually sized nest for newborns, then the mother has no choice but to sew it herself or order it individually from a craftsman.

Useful video on how to sew a nest for a newborn with your own hands

Modern baby stores offer a variety of devices that help parents make caring for their babies easier. A nest for newborns is no exception. This is a very useful product for changing and positioning your baby. What kind of device is this, why is it needed and can you make it yourself?

Nest for newborns: description

The nest (or cocoon) was originally invented for premature or underweight babies. This device is usually used until the baby is four months old. Very helpful for young mothers when feeding, transporting in transport and carrying in their hands.

Newborn babies are very sensitive to their new microclimate and the world around them. Thanks to its design, the cocoon gives the baby a feeling of comfort and security.

Why is it called a nest or cocoon?

This name is due to the anatomical shape of the device. Its contours exactly follow the curves of a newborn’s body. Thanks to this, it becomes much easier for the child to adapt to a new life outside the mother’s womb, because he feels the same as when he was in the womb. Thus, a nest-cocoon for a newborn ensures a position in a comfortable position and peace of mind.

Why is it worth purchasing such a cocoon?

• The nest gives a feeling of comfort and security, so the baby’s sleep will be more restful and longer.
• The baby can take a comfortable position, which prevents colic in the tummy and the baby cries less.
• The correct shape of the skeleton is formed, muscle tone decreases.
• When using a nest for newborns, you don’t have to worry that the baby will roll over and accidentally fall out.
• The baby can be placed in a cocoon in a comfortable position, which will make the feeding process easier for young parents.
• Allows you to comfortably position your baby while bathing.
• The nest is often used for sleeping in the parent's bed.

What types of nests are there?

• Nest-mattress. This type has wide application. Typically used up to four months of age as a place for the baby to feed, play and sleep. If you make a nest for newborns with your own hands, then it is worth keeping in mind that for the manufacture of such a mattress it is better to choose a material such as polyurethane or polyamide.
• Envelope nest. Used for discharge from the maternity hospital, visiting the clinic, walking in a stroller in the cool season, since this option is very warm and comfortable. Outwardly it resembles an envelope, hence the name. Buttons or zippers act as fasteners. To sew such a nest, choose fur, wool and
• Nest-diaper. The name itself makes it clear that this type is used for swaddling and stronger fixation of babies of any height and age. It is convenient that the product is fastened with Velcro. You can either sew a nest for a newborn or buy this type of diaper. If you do it yourself, then you should give preference to cotton material.
• Nest-bag. It differs from a mattress and an envelope in that it has a solid base and durable handles. This cocoon is convenient for moving with your baby at a distance: from home to the street, to guests, to public places. The nest bag is often included with the stroller, but is usually no longer used after the child reaches ten months of age.

Many caring mothers make children's things themselves. Why are they doing that? Firstly, the savings in the family budget are noticeable. Secondly, the baby will always have unique and exclusive things. And of course, mother’s love will be felt in this.

Making a nest for newborns with your own hands is a completely feasible task for everyone, but it all depends on the skills and preferences of the needlewoman. So, there are several options for making a cocoon for a baby.

• Sew from fabric.
• Knit with knitting needles.
• Crochet.

Each of the methods is suitable for making any nest-cocoon for a newborn (mattress, diaper, envelope or carrier). The product will become unique if you add decorative elements and embellishments: embroidery, appliqués, beads, ribbons. For girls, flowers, princesses, butterflies are suitable as designs, and for boys - boats, airplanes, cars. A nest with ears or even in the shape of an animal or some kind of superhero will look very original.

Of course, the first thing to do is take measurements of the future owner of the cocoon. If you are making a nest for newborns, the pattern usually has standard dimensions: 90 centimeters in length and 60 centimeters in width.

Choosing materials for the nest

What materials should be preferred when making a cocoon? Those that will not cause allergies and prick when in contact with the baby’s delicate skin. Such materials include wool blend fabrics; they are natural and soft, which is important if you are making a nest for newborns. A master class on choosing fabric suggests that synthetics are not the best option for a baby. But if there is no choice, then you will need to make a lining from flannel or cotton.

In the knitted version of the nest, the choice of yarn is also a very important step. The threads should not prick and cause allergies, because the product will be made for a baby with delicate skin. It is better to opt for soft yarn with a minimum content of synthetic fibers. Acrylic threads are very popular among needlewomen when knitting children's items. They are pleasant to the touch, do not cause allergies, and the color palette allows you to realize any ideas. You will get a nice bright cocoon if you knit it with yarn of contrasting shades.

We sew a nest for a newborn

What you will need:

• fabric (two meters);
• padding polyester/foam rubber (two meters thick, two centimeters);
• bias binding (three meters);
• cord (three meters);
• an irresistible desire to make a nest for newborns.

The pattern is shown in the photo. Thus, we cut out two identical parts from the fabric. We sweep them together with the front side inward. We sew them together, but leave half of each tongue open. Turn the product inside out. It should turn out so that the front side looks outward, and the back side looks inward. We baste along the stitched seam. If everything is satisfactory, we sew it on. Cut out an oval-shaped bottom from foam rubber. We try on the sewn parts and outline them with chalk. Sew along the lines. We insert the bottom inside. We roll the padding polyester into a roll and insert it through the tongue. We cut off the excess and sew a line. Now all that remains is to decorate it with bias tape. We insert a lace into the resulting border, tighten it and tie it.

So the nest for newborns is ready. The master class, of course, assumes that you already have knowledge of the basics of sewing.

How to knit a nest-diaper on knitting needles

To make a knitted cocoon that your baby will definitely love, you will need about one hundred to two hundred grams of yarn. When choosing it, you should remember that it should not cause allergies. It is better to take knitting needles from numbers three to five. The thickness of the threads must correspond to the selected tool. The more voluminous you plan to knit a nest for newborns with your own hands, the more you need to choose the number of knitting needles.

Before buying yarn and choosing a tool, you need to take measurements from the baby. When knitting a diaper nest, two indicators are important: the length of the baby’s body from toes to armpits and the circumference of the chest. Of course, you can stick to the dimensions of the standard pattern, but then it may turn out that the cocoon will be too small or too large for the baby. It is worth remembering that the number of loops must correspond to the volume of the chest.

You can choose your own knitting style or choose from the simple options provided.

• A light pattern, but no less cute - elastic band. Knitted with standard stitches (alternating two knit stitches and two purl stitches). A convex elastic band, pearl or corn, will look more interesting.
• Garter stitch pattern. In this case, the entire cocoon needs to be knitted only with facial loops. The product will be dense, but it will also take more yarn.

In principle, you can knit a cocoon according to the pattern of any children's hat. It is better to start work at the top and finish at the bottom, gradually decreasing the loops in the rows.

A nest for newborns, created with your own hands, will acquire a zest if you combine different patterns and add decorative elements in the form of beads, ribbons or knitted flowers.

How to crochet a diaper nest

The process of crocheting a cocoon is almost no different from the method with knitting needles. Everything is done in exactly the same way: take measurements, select yarn, hook number and pattern. You can knit similar patterns: elastic - or you can choose a more airy version, which is inherent in crocheted products.

Crochet will differ from the version with knitting needles in only one way. It is better to start work from the bottom. The bottom should also be knitted according to the cap pattern. Only the bottom of the cocoon will correspond to the top of the headdress. The remaining part of the nest is knitted in continuous fabric without adding loops.

So, this article showed how to knit or sew a nest for a newborn, which will not only save the family budget, but will also make the baby stand out from other babies.

No matter what doctors say about swaddling babies, diapers will be an indispensable assistant in caring for the baby in the first few months of life. Prices in stores for such an important accessory are not always reasonable, and the goods offered in the markets do not always meet all the requirements of caring mothers who strive to give their babies only the best. That is why we suggest you make diapers with your own hands, detailed sewing workshops for which we will provide you with in this article.

Types of diapers

Diapers are an old invention; over many centuries of their use, they have been transformed from ordinary pieces of fabric familiar to us into various types that simplify the life of the baby and mother in specific situations. We will talk about this in detail now.

Such diapers are used for swaddling babies; products made from soft and warm fabrics can serve as a towel after taking a bath, as they have very high absorbency and will not allow the child to freeze. You can also use ordinary diapers to cover your baby’s crib or cover your baby with it instead of a blanket if it’s warm at home. Diapers will also come in handy when changing a diaper. And also, it’s always worth having an extra pair of nice, clean diapers for going to the doctor. Ordinary diapers can be sewn from any fabric acceptable for making baby diapers (you can read more about this below, in the section “Variety of materials for sewing diapers: which option to choose?”).

These diapers have different sizes, which are selected according to the height and weight of the baby. You can read more about this in the section “Universal sizes of diapers for babies by month”

Diaper sheets

These diapers are intended for covering a baby's crib. They are made to fit the size of the crib, for rectangular, round or oval children's beds. They can be sewn from any materials acceptable for baby diapers.

A diaper sheet can be laid on top of a waterproof oilcloth, or under it, and then an ordinary diaper

Reusable waterproof diapers

Such diapers are sewn with an additional waterproof layer, in addition to the usual fabric one. They can also be made from any materials acceptable for baby diapers. Their convenience lies in the fact that when using them there is no need to additionally lay down a bulky oilcloth, which often moves out.

The waterproof layer can be sewn onto both an ordinary diaper and a diaper-sheet

Cocoon diapers

Cocoon diapers are a relatively recent invention. They are designed specifically for swaddling a baby. They come in two types:

Any cocoon diapers are sewn from elastic fabrics, thanks to which the baby feels comfortable in them, without flinching from his own, as yet uncontrolled movements, and being able to calmly move inside the “cocoon” and position himself in a way that is comfortable for him. This ensures a restful sleep for the baby and peace for the mother. And, of course, one cannot ignore such advantages as ease of use and simplicity and instantaneousness of swaddling, which greatly facilitates caring for the baby, saving mommy’s precious energy.

Necessary types of diapers for a baby in the first months of life and their quantity

There is no clear answer to the question of what diapers a baby needs and in what quantity. But general recommendations will not be superfluous, after reading which you will be able to determine the best option for yourself.

• Diaper sheets. You can sew just a couple of these diapers to cover the mattress in a crib, and then put a waterproof oilcloth and an ordinary diaper on top, changing the latter if necessary. In this case, you will only need a couple of sheet diapers, but 10-15 ordinary diapers. Or you can lay a waterproof oilcloth directly on the mattress, and a diaper-sheet on top, which you will change every time it gets dirty. In this case, you won’t need ordinary diapers at all for use in the crib.
• You will definitely need such diapers, about 10 pcs.: for the stroller - 2–3 pcs., for going to the doctor - 2 pcs., for changing diapers - 2–3 pcs., as a towel after taking a bath - 2 pcs. . (if you don’t have soft baby towels), 1–2 pcs in reserve. (to cover the baby, protect from the wind, etc.). Also, if you decide to swaddle your baby in an ordinary diaper, you will need to prepare 10 more pieces in addition to the ones listed above.
• Waterproof diapers. There is no absolute need for such diapers, but if there is an opportunity to create additional comfort for yourself and your baby, why not? As mentioned above, the waterproof layer can be sewn onto both ordinary diapers and diaper sheets. Therefore, depending on your preferences between these two options, it is best to use diapers with a waterproof layer in the following cases: for making the crib (to further protect the mattress from getting wet and dirty), in the stroller, for changing diapers and for going to the doctor (babies tend to do unexpected things, regardless of time and place, so it’s better to play it safe and take a waterproof diaper with you).
• Cocoon diapers. You will only need such diapers if you decide to swaddle your baby, but do not want to restrict his movements with regular diapers. You will need from 3 to 7 pieces.

I recently had my second baby and, based on my experience with my first child and our lifestyle, I have chosen the ideal option for using diapers: I cover the crib with waterproof diaper sheets, we have 3 of them, I don’t use anything else on top, so just like in a crib, the baby only sleeps and always sleeps in a diaper, so there is no point in laying anything extra. For trips to the doctor, we have one waterproof diaper and one regular one. I also use waterproof diapers in the stroller (we have 3 of them). To change diapers I use regular cloth ones, since we have a table with oilcloth, and changing diapers after each diaper change is somehow more hygienic. To dry the baby after taking a bath, I use a thin diaper, and then immediately wrap the baby in a warm, soft towel with a corner so that he does not lie in the wet and does not freeze. He sleeps great in “cocoons”; we don’t use regular diapers at all. We bought 7 cocoon diapers, but 3–5 are quite enough, since the baby only sleeps in them, and while awake it is better to give maximum freedom for movement and development.

Mandatory requirements for baby diapers

Newborns and infants need special care; they have very delicate skin and an organism that has not yet learned to protect itself from this world, so everything that comes into contact with the baby must meet specific requirements, including diapers. Before purchasing materials and starting sewing, consider the following points:

• since the diapers are in close contact with the baby’s skin, all seams should be on the front side and processed very carefully;
• In no case should any threads stick out; when pulled, they can damage or even cut the baby’s delicate skin;
• the fabrics from which diapers are made must be natural and of high quality, so as not to cause allergies in the child;
• if you decide to sew cocoon diapers with a zipper, then you will need to sew it on very carefully so that the hard fabric of the fastener does not harm the baby during wearing, it is also best to sew the zipper on the front side, after all, beauty is in the background;
• if you are sewing “cocoons” with Velcro, you should also be very careful, all borders must be aligned evenly, and the sizes must be chosen correctly so that the Velcro does not harm the skin;
• It is advisable to avoid various additional decorative details in the form of ruffles, bows, etc., as this will only disturb both you and the baby.

If you carefully observe all of the above points, you don’t have to worry about the high comfort and safety of your child.

Variety of materials for sewing diapers: which option to choose?

There are now a great variety of materials for sewing diapers on the market: thin and warm and soft, stretchy and dense, etc., in order not to get confused in all this variety, it is worth identifying the criteria that fabrics for baby diapers must meet:

• high quality;
• natural composition;
• the fabric should “breathe”, that is, allow air to pass through well so that the baby’s skin does not rot and he does not feel hot;
• the fabric should absorb moisture well;
• it should be soft and pleasant to the touch so as not to harm the baby’s delicate skin;
• must have the ability not to overheat the baby’s body and at the same time retain enough heat to avoid hypothermia;
• strength, since diapers need to be washed very often, they must withstand repeated washing without losing their important properties.

The following materials correspond to all of the listed properties:

• Chintz. Inexpensive thin material consisting of 100% cotton. This is the basic option and the most common option. Diapers made from this material are soft and pleasant to the body, quickly absorb moisture, and meet all the necessary requirements. Calico diapers are best suited for summer or very warm/hot rooms.
• Flannel. One of the most beloved materials by mothers. Composition - 100% cotton. The material is very soft, due to the light fluff, quite warm and at the same time breathable. Flannel diapers are basic, they should be in any season.
• Natural knitwear. It is almost impossible to find ordinary diapers made from this material; it is mainly used for sewing cocoon diapers. Its main advantage is high extensibility.
• Batiste. This material is one of the lightest and most breathable. Ideal for the warm season. A good analogue of chintz. But cambric also has one significant drawback - low strength, so cambric diapers will not last you long.
• Kulirka. The material is quite good, but not particularly widespread. Made from 100% cotton. It is highly hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly, does not wrinkle and stretches very well. Diapers made from this material are ideal for the warm season. The only thing worth paying attention to is the noticeable shrinkage of the fabric after washing, so you need to buy extra fabric, and be sure to wash and iron it before sewing the product.
• Footer. This is a very warm material that retains heat well. Ideal for the cold season. Very pleasant to the body.

Note! The truth about the composition of the material is not always written on the label, so it is better to buy materials in trusted stores. If you are not sure of the quality of the product, it is better not to purchase it, but to find a better option, even if it costs more, you cannot save on the child’s health.

Advantages and disadvantages of sewing diapers for your baby yourself

Among the shortcomings there are not many points:

• The most basic and decisive, perhaps, will be time.
• And among others, a significantly greater amount of energy and effort wasted on the selection of all the necessary materials and on the sewing process itself.

There will be much more advantages:

• The main thing is that the strength and love you put into the manufacturing process will warm both you and the baby, forming a positive relationship between you even before the baby is born. This can easily be proven by the long-known truths that children feel everything and that love is a verb, the more we love someone with actions, care, the more we love this person.
• If we talk about the more practical side of the issue, then the facts are very important that you can independently choose the fabric that suits your requirements, its properties, colors, and patterns.
• During the sewing process, you can adjust specific nuances to suit yourself.
• Also, sewing diapers yourself will cost much less than if you bought the same quantity from the same material, but ready-made.

We sew ordinary diapers for a baby

Ordinary diapers are the easiest to make; even those who have never come into contact with sewing can handle this task.

Universal sizes of diapers for babies by month

The most important thing to do before sewing is to figure out the sizes of diapers that you need. To do this, carefully study the table in the picture below:

Not all children correspond to the standard parameters of weight and height, designated as the norm in different months of life, so when sewing diapers, pay attention to the height and weight, and not to the age of the baby

Thanks to this table, you can determine exactly what size diapers you need. Once you figure this out, you can start calculating the fabric needed for sewing diapers. In the photo below you will see a table with side lengths for each diaper size.

Since babies grow very quickly in the first few months of life, we recommend choosing a medium size, which is suitable for both a newborn and an already grown-up child.

Advice! To save fabric for length, consider the shorter side, since all fabrics come in standard sizes with a width of 1.40/1.50 cm. By calculating the fabric in this way, you will significantly save money.

For example, if you need 10 size 48 diapers, multiply the length (shortest side) - 120 cm by 10 (quantity). It will be 12 meters. This means that you will need 12 m to sew such a number of diapers of the selected size.

MK for sewing an ordinary diaper

Necessary materials:

• textile;
• threads in the color of the fabric;
• sewing machine or overlocker (if you don’t have a machine, you can do it by hand);
• scissors;
• a large tailor's ruler or just a long stick, along which it will be convenient to draw a straight line on the fabric;
• tape measure.

In order to sew an ordinary diaper, you must sequentially perform the following steps:

1. On a large table or clean floor, lay the fabric wrong side up.

   To cut a large number of diapers faster, you can fold the fabric in half, right side inward, and cut two diapers at a time

2. Measure the length of the future diaper on the fabric using a measuring tape, mark points in the right places using tailor's chalk or soap. Apply a tailor's ruler and connect the dots with straight lines.
3. Cut the fabric along the drawn lines.
4. Now all that remains is to process the slices. To do this, use an overlocker or a special mode on your sewing machine.

   The highest quality and most reliable seam is obtained using a special overlocker, but in extreme cases, you can replace it with a sewing machine or manually process the edges (you will find information about this below, in the section “How to process the edges manually?”)

The diaper is ready! In the same way, sew the number of diapers you need.

Advice! To make it easier to cut the fabric, place another material with a “catchy” surface under it, for example, fleece or plaid. This way the fabric will not slip on the surface and you can easily cope with the task.

How to sew a waterproof layer to a diaper: step-by-step guide

Materials needed to convert a regular diaper into a waterproof one:

• waterproof fabric;
• bias tape.

In order to make the diaper waterproof, it is enough to follow all the steps in the following instructions:

1. When making a regular diaper, stop after the cutting step. There is no need to process the edges!
2. Now you need to cut out a piece of waterproof fabric that exactly matches the size of the diaper to which it will be sewn.
3. Take both pieces of fabric and fold them together, wrong sides together. Baste along the edges with your hands.

   The fabric is basted manually using large stitches of contrasting thread color relative to the fabric. This is necessary to ensure that the edges of the products align as accurately as possible. After finishing the seam on the machine, this seam must be removed by pulling the thread

4. Now all that remains is to finish the edges with bias tape. To do this, place it on one side of the sour cream (you can start from any side).

   You need to sew right along the edge to make it neat.

5. And sew along the edge, folding the ironed side.

   Sewing on bias tape Sewing on bias tape Try not to let the seam “dance”, then the product will turn out beautiful and neat

6. Then turn the product over to the other side. It should look like this:

   This is what a bias tape sewn on one side looks like

7. Fold the other side of the bias tape over and iron it.

   To ensure that the product turns out neat, before machine stitching, you can make a basting mark on your hands.

8. Now run the final stitch along the bias tape.

   This is what the edges finished with bias tape should look like if you did everything correctly.

9. After you have finished all the edges of the waterproof diaper with bias tape, iron all the seams thoroughly, using a slight stretch.

This is what the finished waterproof diaper should look like:

Waterproof diapers made in this way can be washed as many times as you like without any worries.

Important! After the diapers, be sure to wash them with a special baby powder with conditioner and iron them thoroughly on both sides.

Workshop on sewing cocoon diapers with different types of fasteners

Sewing cocoon diapers differs from each other not only in different fasteners, but also in the entire pattern of the product, so we offer you a workshop for making both types.

Workshop on sewing a cocoon diaper with a zipper

Materials required for sewing:

• knitted material;
• elastic collar (can be cut from old clothes);
• threads in the color of the fabric;
• needle;
• scissors;
• sewing machine;
• a special foot and machine needles for working with knitwear;
• 2 zippers of 45 cm;
• tape measure;
• tailor's chalk or soap;
• ruler.

Step-by-step instructions for sewing a cocoon diaper with a zipper with your own hands:

1. Lay the fabric out on the table, attach the patterns to it with safety pins, and trace with tailor's chalk. Cut out the resulting parts.

   For convenience, lay out all the sewing parts on the table

2. Now take the zippers and remove the stoppers from both:

   The stoppers must be removed carefully so as not to damage the zipper teeth.

3. This is what the zippers should look like after removing the stoppers:

   Once removed, the limiters can be thrown away; they will no longer be needed.

4. Now place the two front parts of the cocoon (shelves) in front of you, wrong side up. From the inside of each part, measure 1.5 cm and draw a straight line from top to bottom. Then fold the fabric right side along the drawn lines and iron it.

   Knitted fabric is very capricious, it tends to curl at the edges, this can be easily dealt with by carefully ironing it

5. Turn the pieces upside down and place the two halves of the zipper on the folded edges. Baste them by hand until the green mark, and then sew them on a sewing machine, after removing the basting.

   Use a sewing machine to sew a zipper as close to the teeth as possible.

6. Now, following the instructions in the photo below, turn a regular zipper into a two-way one:

   In some stores you can find a ready-made two-way zipper

7. Cut off the excess part of the zipper on the right side and turn the design over:

   When sewing on a zipper, be very careful, as the slightest mistake can ruin the zipper or the product.

8. Sew a strip of 3 by 60 from fabric scraps:

   A protective strip is required to reduce the risk of injury when using a zipper.

9. Place a protective strip under the zipper on the inside of the product and stitch it using a sewing machine:

   If you are afraid to machine stitch right away, you can first secure the strip with safety pins or make a basting

10. Now fold the remaining tip and stitch it too:

    Try to work with the sewing machine as carefully as possible, since it will be very difficult to unravel a failed machine seam, especially with fastening.

11. Trim the extra piece of fabric:
    

    To prevent machine seams from unraveling after trimming, be sure to backtack

12. Sew a protective strip along the edge, along the entire cocoon:

    Thanks to the protective strip, the baby will be protected from possible damage

13. Sew the front and back pieces together and finish the edges with an overlock stitch.

    After each new seam, iron it thoroughly with a light tension.

14. Sew on the elastic collar:

    This is what the neck of the product should look like with a neatly sewn collar

The zippered cocoon diaper is ready!

Workshop on sewing a cocoon diaper with Velcro

Necessary materials for sewing a cocoon diaper with Velcro:

• flannel knitted fabric;
• cotton knitted fabric;
• Velcro;
• tape measure;
• scissors;
• threads in the color of the fabric;
• needle;
• sewing machine;
• ruler;
• tailor's chalk or soap;
• tracing paper

To sew a cocoon diaper with Velcro, follow the instructions:

1. Wash and iron the fabric so that the finished product does not shrink after sewing. Lay the material out on the table.
2. Draw the pattern of the main part on tracing paper and cut it out using the following pictures:

   To make the patterns as accurate as possible, you can use graph paper.

3. Do the same with the leg pocket pattern:

   Transfer patterns from paper to fabric and cut as accurately as possible, since the slightest mistake can ruin the entire product

4. Lay out the resulting patterns on the fabric, pin them with pins, and trace them with chalk. Then cut it out.
5. Place both pieces together, right sides facing inward. Sew and finish the edges. Then sew Velcro onto the sides of the product, and place one on the top of the leg pocket.

   This is what the finished cocoon diaper should look like

The cocoon diaper is ready!

Advice! It is better to sew the hard part of the Velcro onto that part of the product that cannot touch the baby’s body, so that if the Velcro corrodes a little during wear, the hard part does not run over the skin and damage it.

How to cover the crib: diaper sheets or sheets with elastic?

Before deciding on the answer to this question, you should understand what the difference is between an ordinary diaper-sheet and a sheet with an elastic band. There are only two differences between them: a sheet with an elastic band is the same as a regular diaper-sheet, but with an elastic band sewn along the edge and rounded corners, and it is also sewn from stretchy knitted fabric. It can also be made in any size and shape to fit the mattress perfectly. The advantages of such a sheet are that it is securely fastened to the mattress thanks to an elastic band, and well-chosen fabric fits perfectly on the mattress without folds or excess fabric.

When my first son began to grow up and learned to crawl, the sheets in the crib constantly had to be adjusted, because his active movements kept the edges coming out from under the mattress, no matter how deeply and securely I tucked them. The ideal solution was to replace such regular sheets with sheets with elastic. They fit very tightly onto the mattress and stay on it securely. Thanks to this, the child can play calmly, and the mother is not afraid that the baby will wrinkle the sheet and stain the mattress.

Workshop on sewing sheets with elastic

Required materials for sewing:

• knitted fabric;
• scissors;
• needle;
• rubber;
• sewing machine;
• special foot and needles for working with knitted fabric;
• tape measure;
• tailor's ruler;
• fabric chalk or soap;
• threads in the color of the fabric.

Step-by-step instructions for sewing a sheet with an elastic band:

1. Measure the width, length and height of the mattress on which you are going to sew the product. We add 20 cm + the height of the mattress for each value to the length and width of the mattress so that the finished sheet is the right size and fits well on the mattress. Then add another 14 cm to both values ​​for the hem of the fabric to sew in the elastic.
2. We measure the resulting lengths on the fabric, put dots in the right places and connect them using chalk and a tailor's ruler. Cut it out.

   Be sure to iron the cut piece of fabric so that all measurements and the cut piece are accurate.

3. Fold the resulting piece of fabric in half twice so that all four corners are in one place.

   The fabric must be folded in such a way as to make the correct cut and form the desired shape of the corners of the product

4. Calculate the size of the cut you need to make: to the height of the mattress, add half the increase for sewing on the elastic (14–7 = 7), i.e., the height of the mattress + 7. Then subtract 2 cm from the resulting figure for allowances. This number is the length of the sides of the square that needs to be cut. Draw a square of this size from the corner of the fabric and cut it out:

   It is necessary to cut a square so that the finished sheet sits on the mattress as well as possible, the main thing is to correctly calculate all the lengths

5. Now unroll the fabric and place it on the table, wrong side up. Mark the distance from the edge by 2.5 cm on all sides:

   To make it more convenient, after measuring the required quantities, draw a line

6. Fold the edges of the fabric twice, one exactly along the drawn line, the other with a guide to the fabric, the same size (2.5 cm). Iron and unfold again.

   Ironing the fabric is necessary for easier stitching in the future.

7. Connect the corners with the right sides facing inward and sew from top to bottom:

   Be sure to secure the machine stitching on both sides.

8. Do the same with all corners and turn them out:

   This is how beautiful and neat a finished sheet with elastic should look, sewn according to this master class

The fitted sheet is ready!

How to finish the edges of a product by hand?

Not everyone, even an experienced craftswoman, has an overlocker specifically designed for processing seams. And it's not as scary as it seems at first glance. The edges of the product can be finished manually using a rolled seam or an imitation overlock stitch, and this will not affect the quality of the product in any way.

MK: how to process the edges of a product with a twist seam

Necessary materials:

• threads in the color of the fabric;
• needle;
• scissors.

Step-by-step instructions for processing the edge of a product with a twist seam:

1. Step back 2 mm from the edge of the fabric and secure the thread:

   This is what a finished imitation overlock seam, made by hand, should look like

The seam is ready!

Photo gallery: ideas for sewing diapers for babies

The “Star” diaper looks very cute, it is perfect for a baby’s photo shoot It is not necessary to sew a waterproof diaper from two layers of fabric; you can purchase waterproof fabric, soft on one side, and simply sew diapers from it in the same way as regular ones Diapers made from fabrics in minimalist colors look very stylish. Diapers made from fabrics in pastel shades look very gentle and beautiful. The cocoon diaper can be supplemented with an additional hat sewn to it; options with animal ears look especially attractive on babies A very original idea is to sew a “cocoon” in the style of various superheroes or heroes of fairy tales, cartoons, etc. “Cocoons” made from a combination of two types of fabric or different colors look unusual and beautiful. If you are worried that the child will quickly grow out of the “cocoon”, you can immediately sew it a little larger, but while the baby is still small, just tie a knot from the excess fabric

If you put in enough patience and effort and follow the instructions in the master classes we offer, you will definitely get neat, beautiful diapers, no matter what model you plan to bring to life. Creative success and health to your children!

Every year, more and more different inventions are invented for new mothers, aimed at simplifying the care of a small child. One of these ideas that has found grateful fans is a cocoon for newborns. Tight swaddling is now sharply criticized, so this way of creating comfort for the baby is the best solution for modern parents. Today we will tell you in some detail about how to make a cocoon for a newborn with your own hands.

To help a newborn faster adapt to the external environment and avoid tight swaddling, you need to take an alternative option - a cocoon, it provides freedom of action for the baby, gives a feeling of protection and a comfortable stay in new conditions.

Now there are various types of cocoons on sale: a cradle in a set with mattresses, carriers, envelopes and diapers. But in order to save money, a do-it-yourself cocoon diaper for newborns can be made by any woman who has at least a little knowledge of needlework.

Such a nest is simply necessary for a newborn:

Types of cocoons

DIY cocoon diaper

Caring mothers or grandmothers can easily sew such a diaper. Made with love, it will warm and calm your baby better than store-bought ones, and the sewing pattern is quite simple. The material must be natural and harmless to the child. Cotton, flannel and chintz fabrics are mainly used. Knitwear and fleece are less commonly used.

Cocoon is possible decorate such elements:

• embroidery and applique;
• animal faces and ears;
• colors and patterns;
• individual anagrams;
• cartoon characters.

Velcro diaper

Tools:

• cut fabric;
• sharp scissors;
• spool of thread;
• a set of pins;
• pencil, chalk or bar of soap.

The cocoon diaper consists of a single part and a small pocket.

1. buy fabric 900 mm long and 1200 mm wide and adhesive tape;
2. transfer the pattern onto the fabric with chalk or a bar of soap, not forgetting about the need for allowance;
3. cut and sew using threads, folding the parts of the diaper with the right sides facing each other;
4. Turn the material right side out and attach the sticky elements.

With a zipper "Matryoshka"

Tools:

• textile;
• zipper;
• scissors;
• threads of the desired color;
• pencil.

Below you can familiarize yourself with the workshop on sewing a cocoon mattress for a baby.

Master class on sewing a children's cocoon mattress

Tools:

• cotton fabric of two types, sizes 700 mm/900 mm;
• padding polyester size 350 mm/650 mm;
• spool of thread;
• scissors;
• filling ( fluff).

Process:

For step-by-step instructions on how to make a cocoon diaper for a newborn, watch the training video:

Master class: cocoon envelope for the cool season

Tools:

• fabric - raincoat fabric, thick cotton or any other material for the outer layer;
• padding polyester 200;
• flannel or thick fleece for the layer that will be inside;
• zipper - 2 pieces, 0.6 m each;
• Velcro, it can be replaced with two buttons.

Pattern:

Process:

1. buy fabric 50 cm long and 150 cm wide;
2. cut out parts from raincoat fabric and flannel;
3. lay out the parts with insulation in the middle;
4. sew along the edge the fabric for the outer layer with the fabric of the inner layer for ease of sewing in the zipper;
5. sew zippers between the raincoat fabric and the flannel;
6. Sew everything on the sides with the edges folded;
7. sew a hood. To do this, fold the edge of the upper part into a triangle, taking turns with different layers of fabric;
8. Sew Velcro in the right place for convenience.

How to knit a cocoon with knitting needles or crochet?

You can find many fascinating master classes online that tell you how to crochet or knit a cocoon for a newborn. Knitted patterns look very cozy, and any mother who has even basic needlework skills can make them.