Adjusting Crotch Width for a Better Fitting Cloth Diaper

In Part 1, I walked through how to enlarge a front closure diaper through the wings. This is useful if you fall between pattern sizes or you just want to size up a current front closure style pattern.

Part 2 shows how to make the rise higher on a pattern. If you struggle with extra tight legs that leave marks, increasing the rise can help give extra space in the leg area. In addition, when adding rise snaps, it’s essential to increase rise first.

In this post, Part 3, I want to adjust the crotch width. 

I like to use trifold inserts in my son’s cloth diapers, so I wanted a little more room through the middle to make it easier to stuff for a pocket diaper. For this diaper, I’m aiming for a 7” crotch width. The original width is 6″.

Step 1: Mark the Narrowest Point

First, find the narrowest part of the crotch—right here in the center—and make a small mark. This is the measurement point we’re adjusting to hit that 7 inch width. Since patterns are cut on the fold, that means I’ll need 3 ½ inches.

Using your ruler, mark a straight line parallel to the original diaper pattern for your larger width.

Step 2: Identify Your Anchor Points

When you redraw the crotch line, it’s really important to keep the leg elastic points as your anchors. We’ll go back and adjust the leg elastic markings later.

• One elastic point toward the front
• One elastic point toward the back

We’re not widening the pattern beyond those points. You want a smooth, gentle curve on the part of the wing that wraps around the leg. I’ve found that having the elastic too far up the front leg bunches and pulls on down on the front wing.

Step 3: Redraw the Crotch Curve

Starting down near the narrowest point, gently redraw the crotch line so it blends back into the original pattern at the elastic anchors.

This part is a bit trial and error, and that’s totally normal. If you have a curved ruler, feel free to use it. Personally, I find it easier to follow the existing curve and adjust from there.

Trace it out and see how it looks.

Step 4: Adjust Leg Elastic

Next, we’re going to adjust the leg elastic markings. I’m only changing this because I had increased the rise for this diaper by a couple of inches. If you’re ONLY widening the crotch and not increasing the rise, you can leave the leg elastic where it is.

Because I increased the rise a fair amount, I’m going to move the leg elastic slightly lower to make it shorter. Again, I like to have a little extra room along the front wing curve for a better fit.

FINISHED!

And that’s it!
We now have:

• A wider crotch width
• A smooth leg curve for a better fit
• Updated leg elastic placement for added comfort

All without messing with the overall structure of the diaper. Small changes like this can make a huge difference in how a cloth diaper fits and functions.