Swanky Blog: DIY Wednesday- Diaper Cake

Have you ever gone to a baby shower and wondered what is a diaper cake and how do you make one? Well they aren't rocket science and you can actually make one yourself! They are pretty simple but they do take time and patience. Remember to be creative, this is your chance to create a personalized gift for the mom to be that she will love and use every bit of. Of course if you aren't the DIY type or just can't find the time you can order diaper cakes to match your baby shower theme at Swankychicks.com!

Diaper cake directions from http://www.plan-the-perfect-baby-shower.com/

Step 1. Ingredients for a diaper cake:
You can get all of these at a local baby supplies store. (You may need to go to a craft store for the ribbon)
• 60 diapers (depends on how big you make it) You can use either disposable or cloth - better find out what the expectant mother would like. You can use either white or patterned diapers. * *Swanky Tip: Pampers Swaddlers are all white and I have found look the best

• Ribbon, 1/2 or 1 inch wide, patterned to fit the baby shower theme. Pink, blue, or yellow are good choices.

• 36-60 small rubber bands (depending on how you want to "build" the cake

• 6 large rubber bands

• One 8-oz baby bottle or one large bottle of baby lotion

• One 4-oz baby bottle• A cardboard or plastic cake platter

• Cake decorations - for example, baby confetti, baby sock roses, artificial roses, etc.

• Baby items - Pacifiers, bottles, lotion, bibs, receiving blankets, miniature stuffed animals, baby towel, onesie, wash cloths, baby hygiene products, toys, etc.

Step 2. Here we go: Let's build this cake one tier at a time.

For the first tier, you will need about 35 newborn or stage 1 diapers. Unfold 17 of them and, one at a time, roll them up tight, starting from the front of the diaper and rolling it to the back. The tighter the better. Place a rubber band around the center after you roll each diaper up to hold it tight. These are the inner diapers for the cake.Take the cake platter and place the 8-oz baby bottle or large bottle of baby lotion in the center. Then place about 5-6 diapers around the bottle and put a large rubberband around the entire ring of diapers.
The picture is what your cake will look like at this point:

Next, form a 2nd ring with the remaining 11-12 diapers by placing them around the 1st ring of diapers. Complete it by placing a large rubberband around the 2nd ring.
Now for the final ring of diapers for the 1st tier: Take 18-20 diapers, unfold each one, roll them up tight like before, and secure with rubber band. Then place them around the second ring to form a 3rd ring. Now take a large, 1/2 to 1 inch wide ribbon and tie it around the entire tier to hold them all together in a circle shape.
(The important part is that no rubberbands are showing when you are done.)
All right! you have made the 1st tier. Here is what it should look like:

Step 3. The second tier is made much the same way, only instead of 3 rings, you will only make 2 rings of diapers. Just like the 1st tier, the inside ring will need about 5-6 diapers. Part of the 8-oz bottle will be sticking out of the 1st tier, so place your 5-6 diapers around it to form the 1st ring of the 2nd tier. The 2nd ring will need 11-12 diapers. Place a ribbon around each one of those 2nd ring diapers and hold them all together in a circle with the 1/2 to 1 inch wide ribbon, just like before.
Here is what the finished 2nd tier will look like:

Step 4. Third tier is easy!It is probably easiest to assemble this tier on a table and then place it on the rest of the cake after it is assembled. So, take a 4-oz bottle and place it on the table.Then take 5-6 diapers and roll them up like before and tie them with a rubber band.Then place them around the 4 -oz baby bottle and tie your wide ribbon around it to hold it together tightly in it's shape. Take the top tier and place it on the top.
Drum roll, please! And now for the finished product...
Your diaper cake will look similar to this one, with your own special twist! :]

Step 5. Now for the fun part:Add little baby items like Pacifiers, bottles, lotion, bibs, receiving blankets, miniature stuffed animals, baby towel, onesie, wash cloths, baby hygiene products, toys, etc. Place them between the folds of the diaper, tuck the larger items into the outer layer of ribbon.Add stickers and decorations to match the baby shower theme.Place a stuffed animal, such as Winnie the Pooh, teddy bear, Elmo, Demdaco angel, Precious Moments figurine, pair of baby shoes, or something else on top to match the baby shower theme. This one, submitted by one of our Swanky Blog readers was made for a military family. Mom to be just adored the personal touch!