Burp Cloth Tutorial – 3 Easy Ways
Handmade burp cloths make great baby gifts, and can be simple and fast to make. Plus, they’re less expensive and much cuter than anything you’ll find in a store! Today I’m teaching you how to make DIY burp cloths – with my three favorite methods!
Want to try 3 different variations to give a bit of variety to your DIY burp cloths? These are all super simple methods, that even a first time sewer can tackle. Pair them with a cute DIY baby blanket, some cozy DIY footed baby pants, or even this darling baby dress, and you’ll have a baby gift that any new mom will love!
DIY Burp Cloths
Materials for All Variations:
Flannel: cut 2 – 9″x16″ pieces for each burp cloth
Rick Rack: 1.5 yard (for Variation Number 1) per burp cloth
Variation Number 1: Rick Rack Burp Cloths
1. Using a bowl (or CD, in my case), trace a curved line onto all four corners of each layer of flannel, and cut.
2. Place rick rack near edge of one layer of fabric (for narrow rick rack, I keep it about 1/8″ from the raw edge, for jumbo rick rack, I let the outer curves of the rick rack hang off the edge of the flannel so I can keep the seam allowance fairly small – my Rick Rack Receiving Blanket Tutorial explains the technique in a bit more detail) and use a basting stitch to stitch the rick rack around all edges of fabric. I keep my stitches about 1/8″ away from the center of the rick rack, toward the raw edges of fabric so that the stitches won’t show when you stitch down the center of the rick rack in the next step. Let the two ends overlap and trim the excess.
3. Pin both pieces of flannel right sides together, matching raw edges. Stitch around all sides of fabric, 1/8″ in from basting stitch sewn in step 2 (which should put your stitched along the center of the rick rack that is sandwiched in the middle), and leaving a 3″ opening on one side.
4. Turn fabric right side out and press, also pressing raw edge of opening under. Topstitch close to edge around entire burp cloth, also stitching opening closed.
That’s it, you’re done your DIY burp cloths!
Variation Number 2: Rag Edge Burp Cloths
1. Using a curved edge, trace and trim each corner of each layer of flannel into a curve.
2. Pin two flannel pieces wrong sides together. Using a narrow zig zag stitch (I keep my stitch length fairly short as well), stitch around all raw edges, 5/8″ from edge (do not leave any space for an opening).
3. With scissors, make small slits 1/2″ apart around entire burp cloth, close to but being careful to not cut into seam allowance.
Throw your DIY burp cloths into the washing machine and dryer. The cut edges will fray and become softer with each wash!
Variation Number 3: Serged Burp Cloths
1. Using a curved edge, trace and trim each corner of each layer of flannel into a curve.
2. Place two flannel pieces wrong sides together and serge around all edges. I find that keeping my stitch length on the short side helps when serging around the curved edges.
Now that you know how to make DIY burp cloths, whip up a few more!
Great job! Enjoy using your burp cloths with your little one, or make some to have on hand for gifts! For more DIY baby projects, check out our tutorial gallery!
Thank you so much… I am definitely going to try these out. I don’t have a serger, unfortunately, but maybe I could use a zig zag or overlock stitch for the last one??
Definitely saving these for later!
These are DARLING! I love how simple they are. I’ve made some thicker ones that turned out nice, but these look so fast, easy, and make a great gift! I just linked up at your party for the first time in months….haven’t been crafting much! I’d love it if you’d come link these up at my party that’s open all week!
Tuesday Time Out Linky Party
Smiles,
Melanie
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I use a cigarette lighter to melt the raw edges of the ric rac to make sure they don’t fray. Just use the heat from the flame, or the edges will turn black. This also works on most ribbon.
Is the zig zag necessary for the rag edge one? I missed that and used a normal straight stitch… just wondering if I need to redo it! Thanks for the tutorial!
Wow the print of your fabrics really attracts me a lot..the stitching was really good around the edges but there still some issues if we want to do it in a different manner…but fantastic tutorial..!!
Whole tutorial is simply awesome and very easy going….I like the way you added such a great detail in all the steps….your fabric is looking simply adorable after done!
Love the tutorial. Can you tell me where you purchased the fabric. Thank you
Hi Sharon! It’s been so long that I can’t quite remember :). But I think I may have found it at quilthome.com.