diy burp cloths…spit up in style :: a simple sewing tutorial

Spit happens, right? It never ceases to amaze me that such tiny and adorable little humans can be so…well…I’ll say it…down right disgusting! They really have that characteristic covered quite well…along with the person holding them… I was fortunate with two of my three kiddos, that they weren’t very urpy. Life was pretty clean with them! It was great! Then, I had my youngest son…he was basically a fountain…a smiling, happy little goo fountain. Yuck.

Since my score is two out of three for urpy babies, I’m preparing myself in case baby number four evens our playing field in more than just the gender category. That’s why today, I am preparing for this baby by stitching up a stockpile of burp cloths! If nothing else, we will be well prepared to spit up in style! Check out this simple tutorial. These burp cloths are cute, functional, and make a great handmade shower gift. Give it a try, and let me know what you think! Happy sewing!

Supplies…

• sewing machine
• fabric scissors or rotary tool
• straight pins
• fabric
• coordinating thread

The how to…

• Cut your fabric. Decide if you are going to be using two layers, or adding in a third layer for extra absorbancy. You can choose your own dimensions, but I like to cut my fabric 9″ x 16.” This gives a finished burp cloth that is not too big, yet not too small…in my opinion.

• Place your fabrics right sides together. If you are using three layers, you will want to make a fabric sandwich with your front and back fabrics right sides together, and your extra layer on top. Don’t worry about the extra layer being right or wrong side up, it will end up in the middle when you turn your burp cloth, and won’t matter, anyway.

• To pin or not to pin… I have been sewing for many, many years, and seldom pin my projects to save time. If you are a beginner seamstress or simply prefer to pin your fabric together, by all means, pin away!
• Using approximately a 3/8″ seam, start sewing your burp cloths, starting in the middle of one of the ends. Be sure to backstitch to secure your thread. Sew around your fabric, leaving your needle in the down position, and pivoting at the corners. Leave about a 1-1 1/2″ opening through which you will turn your burp cloth. Backstitch to secure your thread.
• Clip your corners… Trim away extra fabric, but be careful not to cut your thread.

• Turn your burp cloths.
• Iron. If you are using minky fabric, be very careful that your iron is not too hot. Minky fabric doesn’t play well with irons.
• Top stitch around your burp cloths. This gives your projects a professionally finished look, and also close the hole you used to turn your fabric.

Ta-da! Now you have some super cute and functional burp cloths! Go find a baby to test those beauties out on! Or, if you’re like me, stash them away as you wait just a bit longer for your sweet one to arrive!

 

Are you expecting a baby soon or know someone who is and would appreciate some handmade burp cloths?