Burp Cloth Tutorial

Tracy / August 20, 2015

This burp cloth tutorial is actually a re-post from an old blog tutorial.

Want to create a baby gift that is both functional and personal?

Let’s face it, we all want to hear ‘ooh’s’ and ‘aah’s’ from a new mom when she opens a gift we have given. It’s one of the reasons Pinterest is so wildly popular, and the reason we will sometimes spend countless hours stitching the perfect baby gift.

You may also be looking for a way to create cute, inexpensive and durable baby supplies for your own family.

This post is for you! Today’s tutorial will teach you to make inexpensive, charming, PERSONAL burp cloths for baby (be it for your home, or a for a friend!).

I’m asked quite often about these. They have become part of our “go-to” baby gift (especially now that we have the embroidery machine to personalize them).

This is part of how we prepare for babies and pregnancy. I gave up on store-bought burp cloths a LONG time ago.

I have started making my own because I found after one child, the gauze cotton burp cloth/cloth diaper things they sell usually don’t last more than a few months of washing before they begin to look horrible and I can’t imagine how they must feel for a little one who has their head rested on all those little fuzz balls!

…and this is even if it is washed with baby detergent.

(An update, I have found these that I adore. They are cool and wash well.

I am still planning to sew my own for our newest baby. I just like having matching sets and there is something sweet about a baby being surrounded by lots of handmade things that were stitched with love! I also know that my burp cloths hold up over time (I’ve had some now through several babies!). Baby needs are really an investment. I want them to last!

These don’t take very long and make and require very simple sewing skills.

They make super-cute gifts, especially if you make matching sets.

(BTW, if you have a serger, this process would be much faster and I’m sure somewhat easier…I don’t, so we’ll be doing it all on a standard sewing machine.)

To do this, you will need:

  • 100% cotton fabric
  • print (very small amount) to match blankets, if desired
  • trim to match blankets, if desired
  • cotton batting
  • thread to match

Cut Your Fabric

Start by cutting your fabric and batting. The measurements are 13″x17″. You need one piece of batting this size, and two pieces of white fabric.

Layer Your Fabric

Layer them, just like you would a quilt if you were sewing it on the machine: 2 layers of fabric and then the batting on top (this will make sure the batting is on the inside when you turn it).

Pin all layers together.

Stitch Layers

Stitch around all four sides, leaving a 2″ opening.

Trim seams, especially corners and turn right side out.

Stitch the opening closed.

Iron flat.

Mark and Stitch Folding Lines

Fold, lengthwise, the burp cloth into thirds and mark down this line with straight pins to create a stitching line.

Stitch. This is what the stitching lines should look like:

Adding Border and Trim

Using your leftover fabric from making blankets, you will need a strip about 5″x14″. Iron under 1/4″ on top and bottom edges.

Pin fabric at the top and bottom of strip. If you are using a trim, it will be pinned into place as well.

Stitch 1/8″ from edge on top and bottom. (Use a color thread to match the fabric on top and then white thread in the bobbin so that you won’t see stitching on the back.)

Trim the sides to 1/4″ and tuck them in to match the edges of the burp cloth. Stitch 1/8″ from the edge. Cut away dangling threads.

Press well, and you are done!

You could use the same instructions and modify them a little to create a set like this:

I would love to see your projects if you decide to use one of my tutorials. Leave me a comment and let me know how it worked for you.

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4 thoughts on “Burp Cloth Tutorial

    1. Thank you, Mary Ann! I’ve completely stopped buying burp cloths because these just last so much longer. I usually make a few sets that could be passed to another baby and one that will remain with that child and go into their keepsake box.

  1. What I think I might do is cut the accent fabric twice as wide and attach it to the end of the white piece like a quilt binding, sewing it on one side, turning to back and stitching it down. That would make it reversible. Just a thought….only a little more fabric, but not much more time.

    1. Sheryl, I had thought about doing that, but I usually like to stitch straight across the seam where the white meets the accent fabric. If I do it this way, my stitching line will line up on the front, but not on the back. Does that make sense?? How do I avoid that problem?

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