There are many craft projects that look more difficult than they really are, and this DIY butterfly diaper project is one of those. Although it looks complicated, this project can be completed in less than an hour from start to finish, and you do not need any sewing skills to complete it! A few diapers, some random craft supplies, and a bit of time then you will have a perfect diaper cake gift!
DIY Diaper Cake Butterfly
Whether it is a baby shower or just a fun idea for a new parent gift, the diaper cake is a standard. Rather than the stacked-tiered cake, we have created tons of unique ideas that add whimsical items to the gift while keeping that diaper base.
If you want more inspiration after you make this butterfly option, check out the owl diaper cake, tricycle diaper cake, royal diaper cake castle, or even this fun diaper cake bassinet idea!
Why Diaper Cakes Make a Great Gift Idea
Diapers are expensive and there is no better gift than a handmade one. They make great baby shower gifts, especially if you know the sex of the child ahead of time, first birthday presents, and even adoption gifts. Since they are both fun to look at and functional once taken apart, they are always welcomed by parents.
You can make them in theme or nursery colors, fill them with fun baby gifts and goodies for the child to open when they are a little older, or just give it as-is if you want. It’s a great decoration for a baby shower or a baby nursery decoration.
Fun Diaper Cake Variations
Butterflies are such happy, colorful creatures and there’s no limit to the different kinds you can make. Here are a few ideas to customize and make your baby gift unique.
- Use baby bodysuits or t-shirts instead of diapers. If you use baby clothes, you’ll want to use removable glue dots instead of hot glue so you don’t damage the outfits.
- Make rainbow-colored butterfly wings by purchasing and dyeing cloth diapers instead of using Pampers or Huggies disposable diapers.
- Add flowers to your butterfly diaper. Use tulle, ribbon, or any other fabric you like and attach it to the wings.
- Use four baby blankets (two thin, two thick) instead of diapers for an extra fluffy, oh-so-soft version of this butterfly baby gift.
- Instead of a butterfly body made of a diaper, attach a cute stuffed animal with a ribbon for a cute touch.
How Should I Wrap a Diaper Cake?
The best part about diaper cakes is that they really don’t need to be wrapped. They are so unique and decorated already, they are a perfect gift without the fancy wrapping paper.
If you want to make it a surprise, you can easily tuck this into an extra-large gift bag with some tissue paper over the top. Another great idea to keep the gift clean until they are ready to use it is to put it inside a large cellophane bag or wrap and tie clear cellophane around it and tie with a coordinating ribbon.
Supplies Needed
How to Make Diaper Butterfly Wings
Line up four diapers so they are facing the same way and overlap each other about halfway.
Roll the diapers up until they look like a toilet paper roll, then secure them with a rubber band.
Repeat to make a second bottom section of the butterfly wing.
Follow steps again with six diapers to make larger rolls for the bottom of the wings. Repeat so there are 2 larger rounds of diapers.
Stand the diaper rolls up on their side with the two larger ones next to each other, then the smaller ones beneath them.
Cut 4 lengths of purple wrapping paper approximately 4″ wide and long enough to wrap around the 4 diaper rounds. Two shorter and two longer.
Use a length of the purple paper to wrap around the rubber bands on the center of each diaper roll. Attach with dots of glue and trim any excess paper from the ends.
Place the diaper rolls on their ends so the larger rolls are below the smaller, then attach with hot glue.
Wrap the rhinestone or other decorative ribbon around each wing section, trimming to size and gluing it to the wider ribbon.
How to Assemble Butterfly Diaper Cake
Roll a single diaper and secure it with a rubber band.
Place the diaper onto purple wrapping paper and roll to cover it completely, then adhere the edge with glue creating a purple tube.
Wrap a length of thin yellow ribbon around the top of the purple tube. Move about 3″ down on the tube, then continue wrapping the ribbon approximately 1″ apart until the bottom, securing with glue.
Glue two rhinestones or buttons in the 3″ opening between the ribbon on the body to create eyes.
Bend floral wire into a “V” shape to create butterfly antennae.
Twist the wire to form a sturdy base, making each antenna curve away from the center.
Glue pom-poms to the end of each side of the wire antennae.
Attach the antenna inside the butterfly body and glue it into place, being careful to only add glue to the paper and not the diaper inside.
Wrap the sheer ribbon around the middle of the body of the butterfly and tie it into a bow and trim the ends.
Combine the thin yellow and purple ribbon together and form a small bow.
Glue the bow into the center of the sheer ribbon bow.
Display as decor or wrap in clear cellophane to gift to the new parents.
More Baby Shower Gift Ideas
The ideas of how to make a special newborn gift are really endless. Whether you want another diaper cake idea or to create a gift that will last longer for the new baby or parent, below are some of our other popular ideas. Make sure you bookmark, pin, or print these to use for your next baby shower!
Yield: 1
Follow an easy tutorial to create your own beautiful DIY diaper cake butterfly that makes an adorable $10 baby shower gift!
Active Time
30 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Estimated Cost
$10
Notes
The colors used can be swapped for any baby shower theme or gender.
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This can be made with onesies or blankets instead of diapers is preferred!
I love that you can use truly any color paper and ribbons to customize your butterfly.
This can even be used as nursery decor long term!
