Instructions on how to make baby burp cloths with really easy instructions that any beginner sewer can follow and do themselves!
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.
In This Post
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.
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.
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!
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.
Charlotte @Charlotte's Corner
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
Andrea H.
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 ;)!
Seng
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!
Jayme
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!!!
seng
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 🙂