Convert your cloth diapers from velcro to snaps [a tutorial]
If you are a cloth diapering family like we are, you may be familiar with the problem with velcro [aplix] diapers. After awhile, the velcro breaks down and just stops working. Especially if your diapers are on their third or fourth kid! But instead of getting all new diapers, how about just converting your velcro to snaps?
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I get a slight commission from any purchase.
It is seriously easy. Here’s what you need:
- KAM Snaps
- snap press or pliers [I use the pliers, just because that’s what I bought… no other reason]
- seam ripper
- awl [pokey tool for piercing fabric that should come with your snap press/pliers]
I bought a set of KAM Snap Pliers Hand Press Setter Tool and KAM Snaps
1. Using your seam ripper, carefully remove the front velcro and the velcro tabs.
2. Use the awl to poke a hole of the tab, where you want your snaps to be.
3. Put the prong of the cap through the hole, then place either the stud on the other side. There will be one piece on either side of the fabric.
4. Firmly press the pieces of the snap together.
5. It will look like this! Then repeat so you have two snaps on each tab.
6. Repeat the process with the socket of the snap on the front of the diaper. You’ll have to put the awl inside the diaper to poke through the fabric. The cap of the snap will be on the inside too. But when you press it closed, your plies/snap press can be outside.
7. Repeat the process with as many snap settings as you need – you can put sets of two all the way across your diapers if you want!
So nice, right? And now maybe your two-year-old won’t take his diaper off at naptime and pee all over everything. That doesn’t happen at your house? Yeah, mine either…
If you cloth diaper, you may also like my tutorial on how to make your own prefolds.
So smart, Jess!
thanks, shannon! :)
This is awesome! I’ll have to try this :-)
duh! All my velcros fall off in the middle of the night, leaking pee everywhere! I can’t believe I didn’t think of this. And I already own the snaps! Score!
Great idea!! of course, I’m jealous even of the worn out Velcro. Back in the day (9 years ago) when my little girl was a babe, I did cloth diapers old school with safety pins and vinyl covers. How much easier Velcro and snaps would have been!! I linked to your tutorial over at Craft Gossip:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-replace-velcro-tabs-on-cloth-diapers-with-snaps/2013/09/01/
–Anne
thanks so much, anne! yes, velcro and snaps are so easy. cloth diapers have come such a long way – and even in a short time! thanks so much for the link love :)
Thanks for this! One question: when you attach the snaps to the front of the diaper, do you rip open the seam to get them on the inside?
Hi Christina! No, the diapers I converted were pocket diapers. So I put one of the snap pieces inside the diaper (by reaching in the pocket). No need to rip open any seams :)
Ah, I’ve got all-in-ones, so I guess I’ll rip the seams. Thanks!