There are plenty of tutorials out there that show you how to create a faux prefold with a rectangle and some padding down the middle. But did you ever wonder how real prefold diapers are made?
I cut the serging off of a regular 4×8x4 chinese prefold and unpicked the center seams to see exactly how a traditional prefold diaper was made. This tutorial is based on what I learned.
Regular prefolds are made from one big piece of fabric that is folded, then sewn. It isn’t very economical to make these if you’re just going to make one. But if you purchase the real prefold diaper twill from www.diapershop.com in bulk, you can save some money making your own prefolds.
You can use diaper flannel, diaper gauze, or prefold twill for this project. I’m using unbleached prefold twill that has not been pre-washed.
Step One: You’re going to need two layers of prefold twill measuring 18" x 40". If you’re using the diaper twill from www.diapershop.com, you’ll need one yard and four inches for a single prefold. I cut the yardage in half long ways and layered it, one layer on top of the other.
Step Two: Now you’re going to fold one edge in about 5". The twill fabric is ’shifty’ so try to keep your edges lined up the best you can.
Step Three: Now take that new folded edge and fold it towards the center, bringing it in about 9" – 9.5".
Step Four: Now you’re going to fold in the other side. Bring the raw edges to the edge of the first raw edge now buried in between the layers. It’s approximately 9.5" in.
Step Five: Your final fold is going to be to tuck the raw edges under just a smidge and pin. I left this edge raw on the first prefold I made and it got all frayed and raggy after the first washing. Press that little fold down with a warm iron if you need to.
Step Six: Stitch the center pad down. All prefolds I’ve ever seen have a straight stitch here, but for us home seamstresses, I think using a wide zig zag stitch is a little more error proof. This crappy picture shows the center pad all sewn down. Now you’re going to want to serge or overlock the ends (not shown).
Step Seven: Wash and dry your prefold a few times to make sure it’s nice and absorbent. If you’ve used twill or gauze, it’ll quilt up nicely. This shows my home made prefold after just one washing. Not too shabby, eh?
Here it is all finished. Have fun sewing prefolds!
sos710m says:
How have these held up for you? I’m wanting to use PF’s on DD, so this would be great (and much cheaper!) Has anyone tried an absorbancy test on them? (Like how much liquid they can take before being totally soaked).
Thanks!
September 5th, 2007 at 5:57 pm
hershyyy says:
I love this tutorial! Is this to make a premium size prefold or infant? Did you prewash your fabric? (I think you didn’t….) What size should I make the original fabric piece to make an infant prefold?
Thanks!
September 5th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Very Mom says:
They have held up great! Really fantastic, the absorbency is just the same as our regular prefolds.
This made a regular size. I did NOT prewash the fabric. As washing it after is what causes it to “quilt up” like normal prefolds.
I don’t have an infant prefold on hand, but if you can find the unwashed dimensions at a store that sells them, use those dimensions. If you can find washed dimensions, add a couple of inches all around.
September 5th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Raincloudmonkey says:
I am so happy to have found this thread. I can’t wait to sew some flannel prefolds for the new baby since I have been unable to find any flannel Gerbers anymore.
September 5th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Very Mom says:
You are welcome! If you’re sewing flannel prefolds, you probably won’t need as many layers as this, since prefold twill is thinner.
September 5th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Mel B says:
If you made this with flannel, do you think it would work to just have one layer rather than the double layer that you started with? And then do the folds the same…..
September 5th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Mommyto4+2 says:
I never used pre-folds but would like to make some. This looks really great! What are the average poundages for the sizes? Are there only two? Don’t really know what size I would need. My dd is roughly 20 lbs and 10 1/2 (it kills me to say that- she is almost a year old ). She has a rather skinny waist, I think. It measures around 17″. Any suggestions?
September 5th, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Very Mom says:
Mel B – Yes, I think that would work well – did you try it? Let us know
Mommyto4+2 – You know, I don’t know – you could do a google search for “Chinese Prefolds” and see what the size ranges are and dimensions for the different size prefolds. I know there is an infant size which is pretty tiny, then the regular size, and then I think the Premium size is like, toddler size. All I’ve ever used on my kids newborn to potty training has been the regular size. I had some premiums once and they were so huge, I cut them down and re-serged them!
Oh wait, scratch that, I do have infant prefolds – I use them for the first two months, they’re pretty tiny.
September 5th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
coreynichole says:
I’ve always wondered how pre-folds were really made- thanks a bunch!
September 5th, 2007 at 6:01 pm
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