Trying to think of a baby shower gift that is practical without being boring and creative without being useless? A diaper cake fills the bill on both counts. What’s great about this type of gift is that you can customize it to include a variety of baby necessities in addition to diapers while changing the theme and the color. You can even customize it based on how much you want to spend. The simple list diaper cake will be literally diapers, while a more extravagant one can have clothes, baby paraphernalia, and toys inside it or adorning it. It is also an enjoyable adult craft.
The challenge in making a diaper cake is to have it sturdy enough to stay together, especially during the process of transporting it to and from the shower. The last thing you want is for your hard work to be reduced to a pile of diaper rolls before you arrive at the shower and allow the expected mother and other guests to properly and over your handiwork. Here are some tips for making a masterpiece that is quick, easy, and sturdy
You may have seen cakes where each diaper is individually rolled and secured with a clear elastic band. That not only takes time for you, but requires that the new mom unfold each diaper before she can use it. The method described here is one you can do in an hour, perhaps why your baby is napping.
What You Need:
- 3 toilet rolls
- 1 wrapping paper roll
- 1 10″ cardboard cake circle (although a 12″ is better)
- 2 packages of size 2 Pampers Swaddlers (Pampers work best because they are white on the outside, but you’ll notice you can use a generic brand on the inside of your cake)
- 1 roll of 1/2 inch ribbon
- 1 roll of 1 &1/2 inch ribbon
- 3 paper clips
- Hot glue gun
- Crinkle paper
- Silk decorative flower
- Large rubber bands
You can find the supplies for this cake at a craft store or even your local Walgreens or Walmart. If you decide you like making this gift well enough that it will be your standard gift for all your friends are having babies, you can stock up on the essentials when they are on sale.
Making The Cake Base
Cut the wrapping paper roll ½” shorter than the height of three toilet paper rolls stacked together and glue it to the center of the 10″rest cake circle so it won’t poke out the top of the cake.
You can also use a baby bottle or container of baby shampoo or powder as the center, but the paper tube makes the cake sturdy and easy to assemble or disassemble as you created and decorated.
Making The Layers
As the stand dries, you can prepare the layers of the cake. Size 2 diapers work best for these cakes; the new mother can enjoy the cake as a nursery decoration for a while for taking it apart to use the diapers for her newborn. You can, however, use whatever size you want. While any brand works, the whiteness of Pampers makes them especially appropriate for these cakes.
Once the stand is dry, you can begin rolling the diapers around a toilet paper roll and holding them in place with rubber bands. As you add more diapers, you can stretch the rubber band out the next diaper in place. Your goal is to overlap them so that the leader looks uniform. You will probably need about 30 diapers for the base. What you can add more, this number looks great and is manageable if you are new to the world of diaper cakes. If you have diapers with patterns on them, sure to use them on the layers closer to the wrapping role so that your exterior
With a little patience, you should be able to create a stable layer. This is easily a one-person job, although a second pair of hands won’t hurt.
To make the next layers, just repeat the rolling process around a new toilet paper roll. You should use about 20 diapers for the middle layer and 10 diapers for the tops. Your goal is to make a cake that is tiered like a wedding cake.
Assembling The Cake
When you have made your three layers, can see a cake come to life before your eyes. Carefully slide the toilet paper rolls on the main shaft formed by the wrapping paper roll.
When the cake is all diapers, you can make it look festive by placing a layer of crinkle paper between each layer. You can also use scrapbook paper, but the crinkle paper is an easy option that also looks festive.
If you are planning on decorating the layers with ribbons, you can either do so before you assemble the cake or once it is altogether. Just wrap the ribbons around the cake, over the rubber bands you used to keep the diapers in place. Overlap the end using paperclips or none. You can fasten the ribbons with paperclips and a hot glue gun Make sure to avoid getting any hot glue on the diapers by placing your finger between the ribbon and the diapers prevent seepage.
Decorating Your Cake
One beautiful and easy decoration you can use to top the cake is a large artificial flower, such as the hydrangea. Cut the stem so it is the same length as the wrapping to and just place the flower in the tube.
At this point, your creativity can go wild. You can top the cake with a stuffed animal. large rattle, or other decoration, while adding baby supplies to the outside of the cake. Travel size lotions, powders, and soaps, baby utensils, pacifiers, and other small items will end to the appeal of the cake.
Finishing The Cake
Rolled up bibs and onesies rolled around the base of the cake will make a cake contents even more practical. You can also place a brightly colored tutu around it as well.
When complete, take a minute to enjoy your completed craft and then you’re ready to go off and share it. you will have created both a functional gift, an attractive centerpiece, and a host of memories for the new mom.
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