El Cheapo Prefolds
Fast and Effective!

For this project, you
will want to use a
ball-point sewing
machine needle, so
you don't punch holes
& cause runs in your
fabric.  A size 80 or 90
will do the trick.

Cut a piece of Snappi-able
fabric the same size as your
diaper. Layer this over the
diaper, and pin.
Loose weaves, terry-cloth, the wrong
side of sherpa, or pique knit are
usually Snappi-able.

Nifty Variations

If you don't want to back the whole diaper with Snappi-able fabric, you can
conserve fabric by using strips.  
I cut mine 3.5" wide, serged the edges, and sewed them in place using the illustrated
steps.  This diaper was made using a waffle-knit shirt for the Snappi-able fabric.

A Stuffable Prefold

Snappi Patches

Sometimes you may find a shirt with something you'd like to show, but the
fabric isn't Snappi-able on the right side.  
In this case, you can sew patches of Snappi-able fabric at the top corners
and the center bottom before layering & serging.

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This page last updated May 2004

Cut 4 pieces per
diaper for a 4x8x4
prefold
I cut mine 18"x18"

Take 2 layers, and fold them in
half, right sides out.  Repeat
with the other 2 layers.
In this photo, the folded edges are
both in the center.

Overlap the two folded stacks so
the overlapped part is the same
width as the sides.
Pin along the folded edges, and
then topstitch close to the folds on
both sides.

Serge around the
edges, rounding
off the corners.
Alternately, you
can straight-stitch
around the edge,
then zigzag to
overcast the edges.

Pin the center strip
in place, then
topstitch

Lay top strip out in
flipped-down position.
Pin & sew the seam.

Flip up, pin & trim

Serge to finish

With slight variations, you can make your prefold
stuffable.  This is good for customizing
absorbency, conserving fabric, and shortening
the drying time.
1.  Make a 2x4x2 prefold (only two squares are used,
rather than 4).  Serge across the top only.
2.  Cut your backing piece from a Snappi-able fabric.  
Serge across the top of that.
3.  Layer your prefold and backing pieces, with the
serged edges at the top.  Pin together.  Serge around
the edges, beginning 1" to the outside of the center
overlap and ending in the same place on the other side
of the overlap, leaving an opening about 6" wide along
the top.
4.  Use the sleeves of your Snappi-able shirt, or another
suitable garment to cut your soaker pads.  I made mine
2-layer,  4"x15".  Serge around the edges.