diaper pouch tutorial

I'm happy to be a part of luvinthemommyhood's baby bonanza today, with a nice little break from all things kitchen!

yes, this would be my version of a diaper keeper.  I made this one with myself in mind.  I just needed to be able to actually see how many diapers I had in the pouch, otherwise I'd get down to one diaper and be on an all-day outing.  Not good.

Materials:

1/3 yard linen (you'll have plenty of scraps leftover)
fabric scraps
cotton webbing 1.5" wide - 8" long
velcro (3/4" wide by 1.25")
fusible fleece - you could also use cotton batting
sewing machine, thread, pins, etc.

I was surprised at how quick this project is, so definitely churn some out for friends and family!

Cut the pieces:

{pictured above are the materials for the butterfly print version - but you get the idea}
From the linen cut 2 pieces 8.5" wide by 5" tall.  Also cut 2 pieces 8.5" wide by 10" tall - this will be your lining.  From your scraps (and feel free to make these strips patchwork, too) end up with 2 pieces 8.5" wide by 3.5" tall and 2 pieces 8.5" wide by 2" tall for the version shown with the butterfly print. 

{For the blue version cut 2 pieces 8.5"wide by 3.5" tall of linen and 2 pieces 8.5" wide by 6.5" tall of the blue print - sew these two together and they make up the exterior of the pouch.} 

Cut 2 pieces of fusible fleece 8.5"wide by 9.5" tall.

Make the exterior:

Sew the strips and linen pieces together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance (making two finished pieces 8.5" wide by 9.5" tall).  Press seams open.  Fuse fleece to WRONG side of both exterior pieces. 

Sew on the fuzzy piece of the velcro about two inches down and centered on one of the exterior pieces (this will be the front of the diaper keeper).

With RIGHT sides facing, sew the two exterior pieces together using a 1/2" seam allowance around both sides and bottom. 

Pinch the corners together and sew a straight stitch 1" from the point.  Do this for both corners.  Clip corners.

Make the lining:

With RIGHT sides facing, sew the lining together on the sides and bottom, but this time leave a 3" opening at the bottom (this will be for turning later).  Box the corners as you did with the exterior.

Attach the cotton webbing:

Baste the cotton webbing to the RIGHT side of the exterior piece at the back of the diaper keeper. Another option on this step would be to make a fabric strap.  If you do use the cotton webbing I would recommend getting a fairly thin one (mine was from Hancock Fabrics), some webbing is much thicker than others.

Assembling the diaper keeper:

With the RIGHT sides facing, slip the exterior into the lining, matching up the top and side seams, pin and sew all the way around the top with a 1/2" seam allowance. 

Be sure to tuck the cotton webbing down into the diaper keeper. 

Pull the exterior through the opening you left in the lining.  Poke out corners. 

Sew the opening shut with a very small seam allowance, or sew by hand. 

Push the lining into the diaper keeper.  Since the lining was a 1/2" taller than the exterior, it'll form a nice border along the top edge of the diaper keeper. 

Press and stitch "in the ditch" all around the diaper keeper. 

Finish the strap:
Pull the cotton webbing around to the front and adjust as necessary to line up with the fuzzy part of the velcro. 

Turn under the webbing twice and pin on the vecro.  Take your time and sew on the hook part of the velcro at the end of the strap.

Fill with 3-4 diapers, travel wipes, and maybe even a tube of diaper cream and you're all set!

{I think this would also hold 2 cloth diapers depending on how bulky they are.  I use a few cloth diapers while we're at home and they fit in the diaper keeper  reasonably well.}

Terms of use:  For personal use only please.