renovating washable nappies (diapers)

Thanks Lynn - brain isn't working at top speed right now.

I "recovered" some with cute diaper flannel patterned fabric before, and added snaps or velcro to them to make them fitted rather than square (or rectangular, rather). I cut an hourglass like shape out of the flannel, times two. Sewed the middle layered part of the diaper in one of them. Then put the two pieces together right sides together, sewed all but one side together, turned them right side out and edge stitched all the way around. Somewhere in their, I added elastic to the legs and a little bit on the back of the diaper, then put snaps on (or velcro).
Here is a website that has a bit more about it. I haven't sewn diapers in years, but this is where I had gotten the info from:
http://www.diapersewing.com/

Ask either Jessica Wiseman or Amy Ludlam (the cloth diaper sewing experts) your question and see if they have any ideas. Don't worry about reviewing the frequently asked questions and articles and such like they ask, I scoured the site and found no questions like yours.

My first thought was to take one diaper, try to "turn" it like you mentioned and see if it works or not. I'd put the thin outer layer in the middle so as to avoid any further wear, of course.

My other idea was to turn them into soakers that rest inside diaper covers. If they are rectangles, you fold them twice like a brochure (worn side on the inside) and lay them inside a waterproof cover of some sort. You can find brand name wool or otherwise waterproof covers dirt cheap at the baby resale store, or you can find patterns to make your own online.

Good luck! Sounds like your diapers are very good quality--when I was poking around looking for an answer to your question I saw that some posters said their cloth diapers only lasted six months!

I used plain old Gerber cloth diapers, the kind my mom used on my youngest brother. They held up fairly well but I also have no idea where they went! Somehow I've managed to lose all but two that are now used as rags. I don't remember giving them away, but I must have unless they're buried in a box somewhere in the bowels of the garage...

Anhata
www.familynaturally.com
Your Family's General Store, Naturally

Thanks for those ideas and links. I'll check them out.

Jenny, I hadn't thought of anything so fancy as that - but it's a very good idea and made me think I could be more ambitious!

Anhata, they are pretty good quality, but I try not to use the tumble dryer, and I think that improves their shelf life. I think I might bite the bullet with one nappy and take it apart, should give me a better idea of what can be done.

Zillah