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    Home » Crafts » How to Make Baby Burp Cloths and Rags - Easy Tutorial for Beginners

    How to Make Baby Burp Cloths and Rags - Easy Tutorial for Beginners

    Last Updated Date: July 9, 2022 | Published Date: July 8, 2011 by Seng Nickerson

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    Instructions on how to make baby burp cloths with really easy instructions that any beginner sewer can follow and do themselves!

    DIY baby burp cloths with diapers

    After frequenting baby stores during my pregnancy, I soon realized how much a money grab some items that were branded "baby" were. This included burp cloths. $5 each for a burp cloth that was 1/8th the size of a regular towel? No thank you!

    I'm sharing with you an easy tutorial on how to make burp cloths and rags from a pack of cloth diapers. Yes, cloth diapers or any rag and make it look cute while saving a ton of money.

    Table of Contents

    • Supplies for Making Customized Burp Cloths and Rags
    • Really Easy Instructions for Burp Cloths with Custom Fabric
    • Inspiration for Homemade Baby Burp Cloths
    • More Baby Project Inspiration

    Supplies for Making Customized Burp Cloths and Rags

    All you'll need is:

    • a pack of cloth diapers. Make sure you get the small ones -  I made the mistake of getting the big ones and the burp clothes do not fit as well on my shoulder
    • cute fabric. The site says flannel to keep it from moving off your shoulder. I just found some cute fabric that was non-flannel and it works fine.
    • straight pins.
    • point turner (to make the corners square)
    • scissors.
    • sewing machine (this is the exact one I have that I absolutely love)

    Really Easy Instructions for Burp Cloths with Custom Fabric

    Step 1 // Cut the Fabric Design

    Measure your burp cloth. Next, you'll want to cut the designer fabric the same size.

    Step 2 // Pre-Pin the Burp Cloths Together

    You'll want to have the "good sides" facing each other. Pin all the way around so that you keep the fabric in place while you are sewing.

    Step 3 // Stitch the Sides Together

    On your sewing machine, put it on the most uncomplicated setting for sewing a straight line (most machines have an image that has the single stitch).  Stitch all the way around and leave a 2 inch gap.

    Step 4 // Iron the Burp Cloth Flat

    After stitching all the way around, you'll want to pull the good side through so that it now looks like the burp cloth. Iron the burp cloth flat.

    DIY baby burp cloths with diapers

    Step 5 // Fold Down and Sew 1/4 Inch Around

    Next, fold down the section where you did not stitch. This time, you are going to sew those ends together and sew a 1/4 inch away from the edge and sew a straight line all the way around.

    Step 6 // Try Out Some Fancy Stitches

    This is a great time to try out some fancy stitches. You'll want to follow the diaper lines all the way down and sew two additional lines down the middle to keep the burp cloths flat.

    DIY baby burp cloths with diapers

    Step 7 // Use or Gift

    You'll have an amazing set of burp cloths after you are done!

    Inspiration for Homemade Baby Burp Cloths

    If you don't feel like making one, I don't blame you either. Check out the collection of burp cloths below that I found that you might enjoy!

    If you loved this tutorial, check out my other easy tutorial on how to make a tutu skirt here. Pin the image below and save it to your sewing board for a later project!

    DIY baby burp cloths with diapers

    More Baby Project Inspiration

    If you are wanting more ideas for craft projects and baby gift ideas, here are links to some fun DIY that could help inspire you to make something unique.

    • DIY Baby Washcloths
    • DIY Baby Flower Headbands
    • DIY Baby Burp Cloths and Rags
    • DIY Custom Nursery Lampshade
    • DIY Baby Chiffon Tutu
    • DIY Rustic Woodland Wall Art
    • DIY Kids Handprint Wall Art
    • DIY No Sew Chiffon Tutu
    • DIY Camera Neck Strap
    • DIY Personalized Baby Pillow Decor
    • No Sew Fleece Baby Blanket
    • Memory Board DIY
    « DIY Head Band and Boutique Flower Clip
    DIY Wash Cloth and Baby Tub Review »


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Charlotte @Charlotte's Corner

      March 09, 2016 at 11:22 am

      I am going to pin this and file it away for some day. So cute! I have seen people with burp cloths like this and now I know how to make them. Thanks

      Reply
    2. Andrea H.

      July 08, 2011 at 9:33 pm

      Wow! Good job!! I used our receiving blankets as burp clothes. We got a ton of them and I used the halo sleep sack swaddle when she was a baby so I really didn't have much use for them. They were cute and they soaked up a lot of spit up! 🙂 You may just motivate me to want to do more. I really would like to learn to sew. Maybe I will ask for a sewing machine for Christmas ;)!

      Reply
      • Seng

        July 09, 2011 at 6:14 am

        We used the receiving blankets too...and then Ryan got confused on which ones he used as burp cloths, then would swaddle her in the used burp cloths (gross). So I had to make some to distinguish them 🙂 Sewing stuff is fun - just need the time...if baby allows!

        Reply
    3. Jayme

      July 08, 2011 at 9:25 am

      Seng! Yea, I'm so glad you're blogging! Your blog looks great and I am inspired by your projects. I have been wanting to learn how to sew but put that on hold when adoption stuff sped up...now you are making me want to learn again!!!

      Reply
      • seng

        July 08, 2011 at 10:25 am

        Thanks Jayme! I know what you mean - life gets crazier - and it seems like you don't have time to do arts and crafts like you used too 🙂

        Reply

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    Seng is a life and style blogger for the modern mom. She is a mom of four that works outside of the home balancing the delicate balance of her career and being present for her family.
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