Prefold Diaper

A prefold diaper is a square or rectangular piece of material with a double or triple layer of thickness in the middle to provide for extra absorbency.  It was invented in the 1950’s by a woman named Mrs. Hellerman*  It was her idea to put the extra layer in the middle and sew it shut.
Types of Prefolds – Indian, European, and Chinese.  These refer to the type of material used (Indian vs. Chinese cotton) not necessarily to the style of the diaper.  DSQ, on the otherhand denotes a “Diaper Service Quality” diaper.

Preemie- 9.5 x 13 in (24 x 33 cm)         Center: 3 x 13
Newborn – 12 x 16 in (30 x 40 cm)      Center: 4 x 16
Medium – 14.5 x 22 in (37 x 56 cm)     Center:  5 x 22
Large – 17.5 x 23 in (44.5 x 58.5 cm)     Center:  6 x 23

Most commerical prefolds are made from cotton, though you can find them in hemp, bamboo (like the first ones I bought) and a polyester blend.  The polyester (like Gerber) generally get bad reviews for not being absorbent enough, but if you end up with a bunch of them, they make really good burp-cloths J Most of the diapers people are sewing for themselves are flannel or cotton (I use old t-shirts and then flannel for the middle layer).

Sewing a prefold is fairly easy.  You can do all of the work by hand or with a regular sewing machine, though a serger does come in handy.

1. Cut 2 large pieces of material and 6 center pieces
2. Straight stitch the 6 center pieces and serge (if desired) around to make center.
3. Place Center piece in center of one large piece and lay the other piece on top
4. Stitch around (and an X in the middle if you want) the center piece to attach it to both pieces
– Pins come in handy at this point to keep both layers in their correct place
5. Hem or serge around the whole diaper.

These are folded and pinned or snappied.  Then a cover or wrap (or woolie) is placed over the diaper to make it waterproof.   They are also frequently used as a Doubler in other types of diapers.

I’ll start with the easiest of folds.  This one can have some problems with a poopy diaper (the poo can get in the creases which makes it a little harder to dump into the toilet), but for a quick fold, it rules all.  It also works well for a newborn who uses a lot of diapers and needs to have his/her navel exposed.

1. Lay diaper out flat
2. Place baby on diaper (his spine along the center layers)
3. Twist the bottom edge over once.
4. Bring up and fold down so crease is right under belly-button.
5. Bring in wings from side
6. Pin or Snappi (Snappi works a little better because you don’t have to worry about getting a pin through both layers of the fold).

I’m not a big fan of this fold, but A lot of people like it.  It makes it easier to put in an extra layer (especially for little boys) so here it is.  I don’t have a reference for this one, my mom taught it to me.

1. Lay diaper out flat.
2. Pull in bottom two corners.  (Makes a V or “angel wings”)
3. Place doubler (if using one) and baby on diaper .  (baby’s spine along center)
4. Bring bottom up between baby’s legs
5. Bring wings together under baby’s navel.
5. Pin, or snappi.  (Some people just put the cover over at this point, but there can be slippage problems)