Saving money while getting crafty. What could be better? This diaper pail is easy to do and you can customize it with whatever pattern you like. Since I am self-confessed DIY challenged, I bring you my friend Ellie, an actual sewing expert to show you how. Check out the end of the post for links to other cloth diaper DIY sewing projects.
It’s Ellie from Babyville. Our “sewing for baby” series continues this month with an easy project that even beginner sewers will be able to make in no time. All it takes is some measuring, cutting, and straight stitching on your sewing machine.
You will learn how to make a French seam, which can be best described as a seam within a seam. This is one of my favorite seams for many other projects since it is also perfect for finishing straight seams on sheers and light to medium weight fabrics or those that have a tendency to fray. French seams are often used when sewing lingerie and blouses, and are perfect for garments that are washed frequently.
The inside of the garment will have a lovely finished look. French seams can also be used in baby clothes since it will eliminate the need to finish the edges with serged edges that might irritate baby’s skin. When used here for a PUL diaper pail line, this double seam adds extra leak protection from the soiled diapers until wash day.
Here are a few tips when sewing with PUL:
- Always place your pins within the seam allowance to reduce pin holes in the fabric.
- Never sew over the pins, remove them as you go along. I know it is tempting to keep sewing, however there is the risk of breaking your sewing machine needle.
- After completing your PUL project, place it in a hot dryer for 20 minutes to seal the holes in the seams.
When possible. I like to cut PUL fabric using a rotary cutter, plastic ruler, and cutting mat from #Dritz. This tool works especially well when cutting straight lines and goes much quicker than cutting with scissors. If you sew quilts, than you are probably very familiar with using a rotary cutter, ruler and mat for perfectly cut fabrics. If you have not used one before, there are a number of videos on YouTube that can help you get started.
Now that you are cloth diapering your baby, you will need a diaper pail to contain your soiled diapers between washes. With waterproof Babyville Boutique fabric, why not make a lining for your pail that will contain the moisture. On laundry day, simply add the liner to the wash and it will be fresh and clean once again.
Here’s how:
1: Measure height of pail and add 7” for bottom and cuff. Measure circumference at widest part and add 1” for seam allowance.
2: Cut PUL fabric to measurements.
3: To sew the side seam of the liner using a French seam, pin coated sides of fabric together, stitch with a ¼” seam. (if you have not used a French seam before, be sure this seam is sewn with the coated sides of the fabric together) Trim seam to 1/8”. Open fabric and now fold with fabric sides or right sides of PUL together, pin and stitch ¼” away from seam fold.
4: Stitch bottom seams together with French seam as in Step 3. Turn liner with fabric side out.
5. At top edge, fold printed PUL 2” to inside. Turn raw edge under ¼”, pin and stitch along turned edge. 
6. To make squared off bottom corners, match bottom seam to side seam, creating a point. Measure 3” from point and stitch across.
7. Repeat on opposite side of liner.
8. Insert lining into pail, folding hem over top edge to make a decorate cuff.
Variation:
For a snugger fit on top of diaper pail liner, encase top edge in fold over elastic, stretching slightly as you stitch. Generally fold over elastic is used to encase raw edges of fabrics when making cloth diapers, stitching with a 3 Step zig zag stitch and stretching around the leg openings and back of diaper for a better fit. We don’t need that much stretch here, just a slight stretch as you stitch to give a tighter fit around the top of the diaper pail.
Here are the links to our other DIY & Sewing Babyville Boutique posts. Pin and bookmark them!
How to Sew a Wet Bag with Elastic Closure
How to Make a Wet Bag with a Zipper Closure
We are always here to help so should you have questions, please feel free to contact us. Be sure to share your pics on Babyville Boutique’s or All About Cloth Diapers Facebook page, we would love to see the diaper pail liners you make!
Jenn is a long-time cloth diaper educator and a passionate small business advocate. She has worked in the reusable diaper industry for over a decade, helping millions of families via her websites All About Cloth Diapers, Thinking About Cloth Diapers and Cloth Diaper Geek as well as hundreds of small businesses during that time. Her goal always to provide simple, reliable information.
Kayla says
Is this 2 pieces of PUL sewn together. That detail is missing unless I missed it? How is this sewn to make a bag.
Jennifer Reinhardt says
I’ve reached out to the author of the post for more clarification. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear back! Thank you!
Megan says
How is that squaring off the bottom corners? There’s no step to cut off the flap. Did you mean to leave the triangle attaches after sewing the seam?
Jennifer Reinhardt says
I’m sorry, I don’t understand what you mean. The triangle that is created is the squared corner. Maybe I am misunderstanding what you are asking?
Megan says
But you aren’t cutting off the triangle that’s created. That just seems strange to me having made plenty of pouches that also use this technique. I think I would tack it either up the side or on the bottom so that it wasn’t flapping around.
Jane D. says
I ended up squaring off the corners wrong sides together as illustrated and then trimmed off the excess triangle and continued with a french seam. Nice and tidy boxed corners.