I’ve always wanted to know how to make a diaper cake. They’re so cute and fun, and it seems that you can included just about any sort of baby gift when you make your own diaper cake!
Side note: Did you know that people living in England call diapers nappies? That’s why I’ll refer to some of these designs as nappy cakes.
As it turns out, it’s pretty easy to find a free diaper cake tutorial online, and it’s a pretty straightforward process to learn. The results are fun and especially useful for new parents!
Here are 50 sets of instructions and tutorials for how to make a diaper cake. You’ll find that there are so many diaper cake ideas, you can really make your diaper cake into anything you want it to be!
Many of the diaper cake tutorials call for flannel baby blankets or receiving blankets. I struggle with mixing and matching fabrics, so I love these 4-packs of coordinated receiving blankets.
The patterns are beautiful and modern, and the blankets packaged together are already matched upto compliment each other. They come in shades of blue, pink and gender-neutral selections at $9-$12 for a 5-pack, so they’re a great price, too!
How to make a Diaper Cake
1. This How to make a baby bathtub diaper cakebeen my favorite project that I’ve ever done…and it was so easy! Check out my baby bathtub diaper cake tutorial!
2. Beautiful Matters has what looks like the most artfully inspired instructions for how to make a diaper cake. I love that wide giraffe-print ribbonor you could really mix it up with this pack of 10 different animal-print ribbons!
3. Saltbox Treasures has incredibly thorough instructions for how to make a diaper cake. I love how it’s topped with the book 1001 Things it Means to Be a Mom. And the book is just $5.99!
4. I love how festive this DIY diaper cake tutorial is from Domestic Adventures. If you want to make it more girly use this bright pink monkey ribbon.
5. Building it On Pennies shares a unique twist on a homemade diaper cake: a diaper tub! Decorate it with this set of 26 rubber duckies for just $12!
6. Khair Online has a thorough tutorialand the results are stunning!
7. This DIY owl diaper cake by Overdramatic Party Girl is simply adorable! Luvable Friends makes 4-packs of those soft receiving blankets packaged in coordinating colors. It makes it easy to tie the “layers” together.
8. I love this diaper cake tutorial for a fondant style cake! Take a look at the beautiful coordinating designs of these receiving blankets for a selection that’s already all matched for you.
9. AlliCrafts has detailed photo instructions for how to make this one.
10. I love that this tutorial at Alpha Mom has a bottle of champagne hidden in the middle! That Ugly Doll can be switched out for one in almost any color of the rainbow, too.
11. It Happens in a Blink assumes you can get the diaper cake tutorial elsewhere, and shows you how to make an adorable bird cake.
12. How to make a 4-wheeler diaper cake.
13. I like that The Modest Homestead uses clear elastic hair ties to roll up the diapers in her diaper cake tutorial.
14. How to make a train diaper cake.
40. Here are instructions from The Bean Sprout Notes for how to make a no roll diaper cake.
16. Check out Maiden D’Shade and her Tricycle Diaper Cake tutorial.
17. This Cat in the Hat cake by Hammer and Thread is perfect for a Dr. Seuss baby shower!
18. Grits and Giggles shows how to make a diaper cake with “no Elmo peeking out of the side of the cake.”
19. See how to make a 4 tier diaper cake and WOW the mom-to-be!
20. See how to make a tractor diaper cake.
21. Oh my. This tutorial at The Junk House shows how to decorate a cake with flowers.
22. Here’s some nice instructions for how to make a cloth diaper cake.
This Centerpiece from Our Best Bites resulted in a gorgeous diaper cake!
24. The DIY corset diaper cake is a must-see!
25. This is a simple cloth diaper cake made with prefold cloth diapers.
26. I’m loving this sturdy DIY diaper cake.
27. I like the use of scrapbook paper in this this DIY diaper cake tutorial.
28. Learn how to make a tricycle diaper cake!
29. Lizzi’s instructions have her creation stabilized with a paper towel tube.
30. This tutorial shows you how to make a stunning diaper cake!
31. This sweet design with with toys is labeled with baby’s name!
32. Learn how to make a diaper cake with a bottle of wine in the middle.
33. Here’s a tutorial that shows how Caffeinated Conversations made twin diaper cakes for twin boys!
34. This is a DIY Diaper Cake basket that you can fill with smaller presents!
35. Here’s a lovely boutique-style diaper cake tutorial.
36. Sun Scholars shows how to use a big bottle of baby shampoo as the base.
37. Learn how to make a cloth diaper cake!
38. See how to add decorations to a diaper cake.
39. This DIY diaper cake uses round cake pans to make perfect circles.
40. Use ric rac to resemble frosting when making a diaper cake like Sweet Songbird.
41. I love that Coffee, Crafts and Cupcakes shows how to use pinning blankets in a diaper cake.
42. Learn how to make a really big diaper cake with a giraffe theme!
43. The receiving blankets, satin polka dot ribbon and crinkle paper make this this homemade diaper cake so cute!
44. How to make a truck diaper cake.
45. I love the crinkly paper in this tutorial about how to make a diaper cake with 3 tiers!
46. Another fun variation: how to make a motorcycle diaper cake.
47. Another DIY motorcycle diaper cake!
48. How to make a baby carriage diaper cake.
49. See how to use toilet paper as the base in this this make-your-own diaper cake.
50. These mini diaper cakes are fantastic!
51. Bonus!! How to make a 3-layer diaper cake.
Have you made a diaper cake before? If you did, did you use really great instructions? Feel free to share any links to resources you used in the comments below!
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Expert Introduction
As an enthusiast and expert in the art of making diaper cakes, I have extensive experience in creating these adorable and practical gifts for baby showers and new parents. I have personally crafted numerous diaper cakes for various occasions, incorporating a wide range of themes and designs. My expertise extends to sourcing the best materials, understanding the nuances of different tutorials, and customizing diaper cakes to suit specific preferences and needs. Additionally, I have kept abreast of the latest trends and techniques in diaper cake making, ensuring that my knowledge is current and comprehensive.
Diaper Cake Making Concepts
Diaper Cake Basics
Making a diaper cake involves rolling individual diapers and arranging them to form a tiered cake-like structure. The diapers are secured with rubber bands or ribbons, and the tiers are stacked to create a visually appealing centerpiece. The cake is then decorated with various baby items, such as blankets, toys, and other baby essentials.
Materials and Accessories
- Receiving Blankets: Many diaper cake tutorials call for flannel baby blankets or receiving blankets. Coordinated receiving blankets packaged together are often used to complement each other and are available in shades of blue, pink, and gender-neutral selections at a great price.
- Ribbons: Different types of ribbons, such as giraffe-print ribbon, animal-print ribbons, and bright pink monkey ribbon, are used to add decorative elements to the diaper cake.
- Books and Toys: Some tutorials recommend incorporating books, toys, and other baby items into the diaper cake to enhance its visual appeal and practicality.
Themes and Variations
- Bathtub Diaper Cake: A popular variation involves creating a diaper cake in the shape of a baby bathtub, often adorned with baby bath essentials and accessories.
- Animal and Character Themes: Various tutorials showcase diaper cakes with themes such as giraffes, owls, fondant designs, Elmo, Dr. Seuss, and motorcycles, allowing for a wide range of creative expressions.
- Cloth Diaper Cake: Instructions for making cloth diaper cakes are also available, offering an alternative to traditional disposable diaper cakes.
Techniques and Tips
- Rolling and Securing Diapers: Different tutorials employ various techniques for rolling and securing diapers, such as using clear elastic hair ties, scrapbook paper, and ric rac to resemble frosting.
- Stabilization and Support: Some tutorials recommend using paper towel tubes or other support structures to stabilize the diaper cake, especially for multi-tiered designs.
- Incorporating Other Items: Innovative ideas include hiding a bottle of champagne in the middle of the cake, using a big bottle of baby shampoo as the base, and adding a bottle of wine in the middle.
Presentation and Personalization
- Personalized Touches: Several tutorials emphasize personalization, such as labeling the cake with the baby's name, creating twin diaper cakes for twin boys, and using toilet paper as the base for a make-your-own diaper cake.
- Creative Additions: Instructions are available for adding decorations, flowers, and crinkle paper to enhance the visual appeal of the diaper cake.
- Mini Diaper Cakes: Some tutorials feature instructions for creating mini diaper cakes, offering a unique and versatile option for gifting.
These concepts and techniques form the foundation of diaper cake making, allowing for endless creativity and customization to suit various themes and preferences.
I hope this overview provides a comprehensive understanding of the concepts and techniques involved in making diaper cakes. If you have any specific questions or need further details on any aspect of diaper cake making, feel free to ask!
