I’m not sure what it is, but all four of my darlings have been ridiculous spitter-uppers {yuck}.
Which means I’ve gone through a lot of burp cloths.
With No.4 I finally realized that if I was going to be wearing a burp cloth on my shoulder for the better part of the day, I might as well make it cute as well as functional.
So here is my simple way to make:
Here is what you’ll need:
:: fabric {I used linen}
:: terry cloth
:: tape measure
:: scissors
:: pins
:: thread & sewing machine
STEP ONE: cut terry cloth to desired size
I cut mine 10 x 16
STEP TWO: cut fabric to the same dimension
STEP THREE: pin right sides together
STEP FOUR: sew together
Be sure to leave an opening in one side.
STEP FIVE: trim the edges
STEP SIX: turn inside out
STEP SEVEN: fold under and pin together the opening
STEP EIGHT: top stitch around the perimeter
This will close off the opening.
STEP NINE: add a second line of top stitching.
This is totally optional, but I thought it would give this one a fun detail.
Finished!
You can use chenille instead of terry cloth for the back side
add a label if you have one
chose any print {or solid} you like,
stack them up and enjoy!
Well, enjoy might not be the right word. But you get the idea.
Ii have made these for years for shower gifts. I use flannel with Birdseye diaper fabric. The Birdseye fabric ca be special ordered at JoAnns, and you are not required to purchase the whole bolt.
I like to make a flannel blanket to match each burp cloth, . My son and his wife just had a girl, and the flannels I found were the were so darling. Another factor, the diaper fabric is super absorbing and the flannel prevents the cloth from slipping off your shoulder. An extra plus on the diaper fabric is it drys faster and folds with less bulk, in diaper bag. I made a smaller set of burp cloths for my 8 yr old grandson to have his own, fitting his shoulder,, so he could help out (with mom or dad very close by!). The old post from 2011, concerns me. A baby should never have any loose fabric under his/her head even when they re sleeping. Babies moves around so much even when they are sleeping , the cloth could be pushed up around his/ her mouth and nose and cause a breathing problem.
Maybe I could use “fat squares” for the backside instead of linen?? Will have to investigate how many of them will fit on a large bath towel. Looks like an easy, quick & useful baby shower gift. TY for sharing.
Do you prewash your material?
Sorry I just saw someone ask the same question. My apologies
Do you pre-wash the fabric before starting?
you certainly can – and probably should. But I don’t always :)
I am delighted with this beautiful instructions :) It is so difficult – having the kid to do something else.
Unfortunately, for some reason, not all photos are shown on page.
Hello!
I just wanted to let you know that I came across this page on pinterest. I was looking for an easy first sewing project and I also have a little one who loves to spit up ALL THE TIME. Your burp clothes were my absolute favorites and the tutorial was awesome. I posted a few pics of my finished product on my personal blog and linked your amazing directions. Thank you, these are awesome!
I’ve been making these for about 12 years. I use Gerber cloth diapers and flannel material. The few times I’ve given them as gifts at a baby shower it’s been to rave reviews and other people asking me where they could get them. I spend so much time maki 2 dozen as a gift that it is definitely a labor of love.
I’m about a month away from my first baby’s due date and I saw a link to this DIY on Pinterest and decided to give it a whirl since I hadn’t purchased/received any burp cloths yet. I’m so happy I did, I loved personalizing something that I’m going to need use anyways :) And this is much easier to complete than a quilt when you’re 8 months pregnant!
I made a few of these for my future grandson…my daughter in law was just saying she needed more…found some scraps at Hobby Lobby that were perfect for the burp cloths…I had a white full sized towel and it was perfect. love your blog…I just happen to find it by accident…
judy
LOVE these! I have a 7 month old that is constantly spitting up everywhere and I’m always grasping for a towel or paper towel. I’m completely determined to make some. Thanks :)
I love these! Was there a specific reason you used linen?
Just curious….
Love, Love, Love your blog! Where did you get the jdc labels from that you put on the corner after they are made? I would love to have some made for me. Thanks for sharing the resource.
You can buy similar labels here: http://www.armommy.com/the-label/
Emily, I’m a first-timer to your blog, which I love love love. However, where do you find your fabrics?? Thank you
Thank you for this wonderful idea. I just made these for my sister who is expecting her first child. I used a plain white cloth diaper as my back just becasue I had some new ones from my boys I never used. They turned out super cute.
Great idea! Our first little one is due in January, so I will have to start making these now!
as an expectant grammy for the first time i will be making some of these
i made these!!! thanks for the amazing tutorial! i can’t wait to give them to my friend for her new baby. :)
Our church ladies group are doing handmade gifts for local hospitals and Save-A- Life , I’m gonna do these. Love it !
I just made some of these for one of my best friends who’s baby is due in 5 weeks!!! I love the design and think the terry cloth towel part will work great!!!! THANKS!!!
Just made these as a baby shower gift, and adapted the idea and made bibs too! They turned out great – thanks for the inspiration!
Great Ideas!
Thanks so much for this tutorial! I’ve been looking back at it since you posted it last year. Now that I’m 38 weeks pregnant, my Mom and I are making these for our new one on the way. Such a sweet – and fashionable :) – idea.
I have never been able to sew, even though my mother gave me a sewing maching a few years ago. I think I’m going to try it. I like these. They seem like a good jumping off point for me to learn how to sew!
I am going to make some of these for my grand daughter that is expecting a baby girl in July.
I (and apparently a few others of us) would like to know how you make your lables. Do you have special fabric that can go through your printer, or do you do iron-on transfers, or some other method? I would really like to know your tips for getting graphics and pretty lettering strait to fabric so nicely.
Thanks very much & Happy Week! :)
I am just now getting to make these for myself and our 4th baby. I am so excited at how easy they are to make and how many different fabrics that can be used! Yippee! SO much better than just a plan ol’ cloth diaper. I am even going to make a few to put under his little head in the bed so that if he spits, I can just throw the cloth in the wash instead of the whole sheet (at least that is my goal!)
I love these! My husband and I just found out we are pregnant and my girlfriend is about to have her second. I am so excited to get going on a set for us both!
I have been looking for clothing tags similar to yours but can’t seem to find a good company inside the states. Mind me asking where you order yours from?
Thanks for the tutorial. My baby boy is super spitty so these are so helpful and cute. I also made some for a friend that I gave to her at the baby shower I threw her.
I work at JoAnn’s and felt so proud to see their name in your website! I have used lots of your tutorials when we had SNOW here in TN and I needed to be crafty in order not to get cabin fever:) I love your different ideas:)
I was wondering where you get your fabric?
love this tutorial. i am bookmarking for my next little one
I’m literally in the middle of Nebraska and don’t have access to much linen that isn’t plain white. Where do you get your linen fabric?? Is there any other fabric that’s worked well for you?
LOVE your site. You are incredibly talented and creative.
I made these last week for a double baby shower. Thank you for your wonderful tutorials. Here’s a link to my finished product! (Perfected with your flower pin.) :) http://brynnabegins.wordpress.com/2010/11/19/homemade-burp-cloths/
So I have been addicted to your website over the last month and have been trying many of the things on here. I did my daughter’s room in the wallpaper pattern and LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Thanks for the inspiration. Where did you order your labels? I looked up printed ribbon and fabric labels but everything was very expensive. Any suggestions?
these are great and so cute! if you dont mind me asking what kind of sewing machine do you use?
Functional /and/ beautiful ;D Another neat tutorial – thanks Emily! You should add it to the tutorial list on your sidebar!
I’m wondering where you got the professional-looking labels you use? I’d love to have some for my projects.
SOLI DEO GLORIA!
-Kyrie<
You are my burp cloth angel! I have a spitter little boy. I have tons of burp cloths but I (believe it or not) could use some more. I really wanted to make some but (as silly as it sounds) didn’t dare. I think I can handle what you’ve so clearly shown hear. THANK YOU!
you can definitely do it! bless you and that spitter of yours …
This is a great gift idea! My brother and sister-in-law are having their 5th (finally a boy) child in November. Can’t wait to pick out fabrics.
Thanks!
You always choose the yummiest fabrics…love the stack, especially the linen. Too bad I’m done with the burp cloth stage. I’ll have to find another use!
So adorable! No more babies for me but I love this idea!
Thank you so much for this tutorial! Burp cloths was my request for the “5 Days” series, so I was thrilled to see it this morning! They are adorable and you do make it look so simple!
Super cute!!! I think I need to purchase a sewing machine so I can make these…. I have so many friends who are expecting and these would make a great gift! Thanks for the tutorial!
SUPER CUTE! What a great project to ease myself back into sewing (instead of jumping into the deep end by attempting a slipcover!). My sister is having a boy in Dec and my mind is flooded with possibilities…off to find fabric! :)
I can’t wait to make these! Also, I know this if a little off topic but CONGRATS on being featurd on Ohdeedoh today!!!
baby “tyler” is really going to love these!
Very cute! How did you make your labels!?
How adorable! :) We love functional and fashionably made bibs & burpies too…our very own!
Meander over to our Etsy shop and let us know what you think!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/53074737/reversible-ultra-absorbent-boutique-bib
Thanks for sharing your tips!
You make everything look so easy! Now, all I need is a sewing machine . . .
This project really is easy! You could totally do it.
you make me wish I could sew!
I too just doctored up some burp cloths with cute fabric. And I really like your idea of using terry cloth or chenille. I will have to try those out as I continue to nest. =)
Such a great idea. When we have another baby I am for sure going to make my own burp cloths. Thanks for sharing!
Burpies are my favorite gift to make for baby showers. So easy, but so cute and practical too! :) I usually use the cloth diapers, but this is an even easier way to make them.
ADORABLE EMILY
This is a wonderful alternative! We always use cloth diapers and add a strip of funky fabric. I will have to try this if I ever decide to have #2. Where do you find your fabulous linen colors?
Love this! You make it so easy, I’m going to try it out.
Oh mine both had reflux. it was awful and we lived in burp cloths! I think yours are quite possibly the prettiest ones I’ve seen! If I had any sort of skill I certainly would attempt to make one! Have a wonderful day!
Love this idea even though Landon is not much of a spitter-upper {lucky me}. I am going to try to make these for a friend of mine who is expecting a baby girl.
Be sure to enter my Halloween giveaway.
Have a wonderful day!
I love this! My bf made burp cloths for me for a recent shower. The possibilities are endless!! I will definitely bring out my sewing machine and make more!!
i love it! My son is a spitter as well and I just decided to add fabric to the cloth diapers I use for burp clothes but i absolute love the idea of using terry cloth and linen! Thanks for the tip! By the way…when did your children stop spitting up? My son is 8 months old and spits like crazy and has been doing so since he was like a month old! So far we just always have a burp cloth around and follow him around the house with oxy clean spray! =-)
Well, I’m past the burp cloth stage. Could you do this for kitchen towels or do you have any tutorials on those?
These are adorable, I remember getting a couple similar to these as a gift, in cowboy prints (for Max) and I loved them so much I actually have saved them. Great tip and tutorial!! Janell
Uber cute idea!!! I am definitely working on breathing life back into my sewing skills and this would be cake! :)
Cheers~
e