My Crafty Side: Diaper Cakes and Baby Things

Good Morning! I thought I'd post the few diaper cakes I've made. I love, love, love doing these for family and friends! The type of cake that I make is called "boutique". I like the simple look of the swirled diapers. And, it is much easier, and quicker, than rolling each diaper. I also opt for a more traditional type decor, than functional. This is simply a personal preference. I like the more elegant, simple look of the cake. Here is a brief tutorial, followed by pics of my creations:

I use 1 Box (96) of Pampers Swaddlers size 1 diapers. I like a very plain, white, cake to work with. Most disposable diapers have designs of different types on them. The Pampers have a very pastel border around the waistband, that is hidden in the center of the layers. There is also a small, faint, yellow line running through the diaper. It is so small and pale, that I haven't had any trouble with it detracting from my overall designs.

Your cake will need a base to sit on. I use "foamboard", from my local Hobby store. It comes in 3'x2' sheets. It cuts easily, and can be stapled, glued, or taped.

In order to make a circle of diapers, you have to have something to hold them, while getting the spacing correct. I use an empty 12-pack soda box. Simply cut the sides, lengthwise. You will only need 2 of the 4 pieces of cardboard.

Helpful Hint: Although, I haven't done it on my previous cakes, I would highly suggest cutting the sides of the box, almost in half lengthwise, again. Here is the reason: The sides of the box, as originally cut, are almost the same height as the diapers. You will be packing the diapers in very tightly, and will need to tie them with some type of ribbon, or my preference clear fishing line, after you have placed all the diapers. If the cardboard circle is as tall as the diapers, you really have to work at getting that ribbon/fishing line inside the box and around the diapers. MUCH easier to have about half of the diaper exposed!

Staple one end of the boxes together. Then determine how big you want your bottom layer of diapers to be. Staple the other ends of the box, after this determination has been made. Now, you've got a cardboard circle.

Place this cardboard circle on the foamboard that will be used for your base. Determine how big you want the base to be in relation to the cardboard circle. Cut using an exacto or razor knife. As you can see from my cakes, I have used both circle and square bases. I have also completely covered the bases, or pleated around the edge of the base with ribbon. The choice is yours, and the possibilities are endless!

Now that you have your base completed, put your cardboard circle on the base. Place your diapers in the circle, with the waistband toward the center. After you've filled the circle with diapers, work on spacing each one around the outside edge in a consistent lap. When you've got the perfect "swirl", tie a ribbon (or clear fishing line) tightly around the outside edge. Now simply cut away the carboard circle. But, save it!! You will be using it for the next layer.

For the top layer simply make a smaller circle with the cardboard. Place it on top of the first layer, to make sure and get the correct size. You will want approximately a 2" smaller diameter circle from the bottom layer. Staple the box, and place your diapers. This top layer is a little more difficult to work with, simply because of the smaller space. But, it's just a matter of getting the outside edge to look consistent with the first layer. Tie the diapers, again, with ribbon or fishing line. And cut away the box...that's it, you're done!

Now for the fun part...decorating! You will need a topper large enough to cover the center core of the top layer. For my safari-themed cake, I simply cut a small circle from my foam board and covered with the same material as the base. For my pastel blue and pink cakes, I used tulle, underneath the topper. To top off the cakes, use your imagination. I have used the small picture frame (with the new baby's initials), or a left-over shower invitation (Pastel Blue Boy's cake), and also a spruced up Christmas ornament (Pastel Pink Girl's cake).

At the bottom of the page is a hot pink/zebra square diaper cake. This is not one of my fave's; but, the mom-to-be was using that color scheme for everything, and doesn't really care for "traditional" themes. So, I had to be a little creative, and think outside the box. She loved the cake! And, that's all that matters!

I have also included pictures of the baby sock rose bouquet that I did for a centerpiece. This was for the same shower as the Pastel Blue Boy's cake. I honestly can't remember the exact instructions for making the baby sock roses. But, I got the information from the internet.

And here are the pictures:

Safari Themed Diaper Cake: This is my most current creation, made just a couple of weeks ago.

Pastel Blue Boy's Cake: This is the very first cake I ever made. I think it turned out so pretty! And the baby sock rose bouquet really complimented the cake.

Baby Girl Pastel Pink Diaper Cake:



Hot Pink & Zebra Diaper Cake:

I really wish I had taken more pictures of the first diaper cakes. Live and Learn! I hope you enjoyed seeing my cakes. I am really wanting to do a little cowboy diaper cake. I wish I knew some soon-to-be Mommy, having a little boy! Till next time...