The best part of making a diaper cake as a gift is how you can decorate and personalize the diaper cake by adding toys, ribbons, and useful things for the mom and baby. It doesn't take a great deal of talent to construct one. Just follow these easy step-by-step directions from planning to actually assembling the cake.
Planning the Diaper Cake
There are two basic shapes for diaper cakes, square and round. You will need a center support for a round cake, while a square cake does not need a support.
Once you have decided on the shape you prefer, now determine how you want the diapers used. You can use folded or rolled diapers. Folded diapers are faster, but a rolled diaper can create a larger cake with the same number of diapers. If you use diapers that have been unfolded and flattened, it can take considerably more time to assemble your diaper cake. But the end result often appears smoother and more cake like.
Planning Tips
- When you choose the type and style of diaper you want to use, avoid the newborn size. Many babies will be growing into the next two sizes of diapers quickly.
- You can expect to use approximately 50-100 disposable diapers for just about any diaper cake.
- If you choose to use cloth diapers, you will need more because these diapers are not as thick.
Choosing a Theme for the Diaper Cake
Next decide on a theme for the diaper cake. Do you want to tailor it towards a boy or a girl, or is that still unknown? You can design your cake off of a favorite character, too. You might even consider making a diaper cake with a family theme, based on how well you know the expectant parents. You will be able to find the needed items at more craft stores or even at your favorite dollar store.
Supplies Needed
Now it is time to go shopping for supplies. Here is a list of possible items you will need:
- Diapers
- Very wide ribbons
- Curling ribbons or grosgrain for decoration and to attach gift items to cake
- Packing tape and scotch tape
- Rubber bands to secure the rolled diapers
- Wooden dowel rod or baby bottle to use as a core
- A pretty plate or tray to build the diaper cake on.
- Decorations such as bath toys, pacifiers, rattles, and bottles
- Wrapping for your completed cake, such as plastic wrap or netting.
Assembling the Diaper Cake
To begin assembly, each layer must be secured to the cake core. Start with the bottom layer and be sure it is stable before you move on to the next layer. Be happy with your design before you move on to the next layer. You can make changes as you work your way up to the top, but it is hard to change a layer once you have already built upon it.
- Attach the core with packing tape.
- Roll all the diapers and secure with a rubber band. If you are going to use folded diapers, you can skip this step.
- Stack the diapers to make the first layer. Secure each individual layer with a piece of small ribbon.
- Start the second layer by stacking the diapers around the cake core. Use one less row than you did on the bottom. Tie this tier with one of the wide ribbons.
- Continue adding tiers until you have between two and four layers.
- Secure each row with the narrow ribbon and each tier with a wide ribbon.
- If you want a smooth appearance, consider wrapping each tier with a baby receiving blanket.
Now comes the really fun part of decorating the cake. Use the narrow ribbon to attach different articles to the cake. Do not use one of the ribbons you used on the diaper cake row to secure an item. This could cause problems with the stability of the cake. For the top of the cake, consider a stuffed animal or a large bow with streamers.
This is not only a great gift to give to the expectant parents, but a super fun project as well. You can literally add just about anything you want to the diaper cake, and it will all be so useful to the new parents.
Find more Baby Shower Gift Ideas on Suite101.
 |
 |
 |
