Homemade Baby Burp Cloths (2024)

Here is an easy guide to making your own burp cloths! They are super simple and perfect for beginners. Find more easy homemade baby gifts here to make!

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Have you ever been to a baby shower where the mama-to-be received totally adorable gifts and you thought “Why didn’t I think todo that?” or “I can definitely make those and not pay $20 for a set of 3!” I am here to tell you, YOU CAN DO IT!

Baby burp cloths are a fun shower gift for an expectant mama and super easy to make! Pair a small stack of these with a coordinating baby blanket and you have a thoughtful gift that any mom will appreciate. Bonus points if you coordinate with the nursery theme or the daddy-to-be’s favorite movie. << personal story 😉

Sure you can pick up a cute handmade set from Etsy, but if you have some time to run to the store and get to sewing, I recommend de-stressing by sewing up a batch of these burp cloths.

If you have the fabric pre-washed (for when the sewing time hits), you can make these during nap time and not worry about having to keep any eye on the kids while you’re focusing on sewing.

Supplies Needed to Make Baby Burp Cloths

Chooseyour Fabric

Start with the best part, choosing adorable snuggle flannel for the project! Really, you can use any flannel from the fabric store.

I usually purchase snuggle flannel. It’s so soft for new faces and the designs are absolutely adorable. For this tutorial pick out two coordinating fabrics and purchase 3/4 of a yard of each.

If you would like more burp cloths, purchase a yard of fabric. Once I buy fabric, I always wash it right away. That way when I have some unexpected free time to sew they will already be pre-washed and ready to go!

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Other Posts I Think You’ll Enjoy:

  • A Beginner’s Guide to Making a Hooded Towel
  • 17 Easy Homemade Baby Gifts
  • The 11 Things You Need To Know Before Sewing Minky Fabric

Cut the Fabric

Match up right sides facing one another so the “wrong” side of the fabric is facing you.Cut the burp cloths to your preferred size. For efficiency sake, I try to cut 4 rectangular pieces in width across the 42″.

You can choose to make them as long as you would like. Generally, my pieces are 10″ by 13.”

Once you master these, you may prefer to cut a pattern out of thick cardstock and use a kidney bean shaped item or continue on sewing rectangles. It’s your project, choose what shape you like the best!

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Sign up for access to a free baby blanket measuring guide! It’s available to all of my email subscribers at the bottom of this post!

Prior to cutting, pin your fabric in each rectangle. I find that pinning once across the tops and bottoms keeps the fabric in place so that you can cut and stack quickly.

  • Related: How to Applique a Baby T-Shirt
  • Related:A Beginner’s Guide to Making Hooded Towels
  • Related:11 Things to Know Before You Sew with Minky Fabric

Sew your Burp Cloths

With a rectangle in hand, sew a straight stitch around the outer edge of the fabric, leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance and room to turn the fabric out.

Trim any excess fabric in the corners. This allows the cloths to lay flat nicer.

Since these are usually used heavily, I fold the small opening in and topstitch a straight stitch over the opening in a coordinating thread.

Some sewers prefer to catch the opening when the sewing the top stitch, but I’ve had incidents where I didn’t catch the opening fully and it came undone later. Or perhaps, we are just REALLY hard on our burp cloths. 🙂

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Finish off your Burp Cloths

Once the burp cloth has been closed, it is important to press the item. Yes, please iron the burp cloth. Everything that you will ever sew will just look that much nicer pressed.

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Once pressed, finish off your burp cloth with a decorative stitch across the perimeter. When I have several to make, I choose the zig zag stitch.

However my machine, the Brother SE400Homemade Baby Burp Cloths (9) has several decorative stitches. Check out your manual, have a little fun! Go wildand choose a contrasting thread to show off the stitch.

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These can be made in less than an hour and go well with a homemade flannel baby blanket. See my baby blanket tutorial here.

Hopefully, you’ll find that these are the perfect project for new sewers and those who need a simple gift for a mama-to-be. Find two adorable pieces of fabric and get to sewing! You’ll have them completed in almost no time and be satisfied with your craftiness.

GET YOUR FREE BABY BLANKET SIZING GUIDE HERE!

PIN FOR LATER:

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Homemade Baby Burp Cloths (12)

Homemade Baby Burp Cloths (2024)

FAQs

What is the best fabric for homemade burp cloths? ›

Organic Cotton – By far the most popular. Organic cotton is a favourite to use as it is all-natural. It is low maintenance and comfortable. And is absorbent which is ideal for burping pads.

How many burp cloths is enough? ›

Most baby registries feature four to six burp cloths, or an average of two packs. Our rule of thumb is to double that. Register for 10 to 12 cloths in various patterns or colors. The soft material is excellent for everything from gently wiping a wet chin after a feeding to sopping up drool.

How many layers of flannel do I need for a burp cloth? ›

I only use two flannels no batting when making burp cloths. I have seen some in LQS that use just two layers of flannel. They feel really soft and I bet they are absorbent. I have been making burp clothes using flannel on one side and a prefolded diaper on the other.

How can I make my burp cloths more absorbent? ›

Cotton chenille is the best fabric for absorbent burp cloths I've found, and combined with a terry cloth layer for absorbency is far superior to any other combination.

Do you need batting for burp cloths? ›

Use Batting

She adds, “If you want a more absorbent burp cloth, you can add batting in the middle.” Gardner's tutorial, “How to Sew Easy Burp Cloths,” is a breeze with bright, clear photos to guide you.

What is most absorbent fabric? ›

The most common absorbent fibre used is cotton, but other fabrics have recently been designed that are more absorbent, such as modal, micro-modal, Tencel®, and other viscose-based fibres. All of these are made from the same base material – plant cellulose – which loves water.

What can I use instead of burp cloths? ›

Many parents use cloth diapers as burp rags because they're so versatile. They won't tear or stretch out of shape, and they provide the perfect absorbency for any messes your baby might make. Their softness, absorbency, and durability make them the best choice for burp rags.

What size are DIY burp cloths? ›

First up, you're going to cut out two pieces (a front and back) of your fabric out into a rectangle. You can make these whatever size you want, but for these I cut them out 10 inches x 20 inches, which is a great size for a burp cloth.

What kind of burp cloths are best? ›

“I like the Copper Pearl ones because they have multiple layers and absorb those big spit ups,” she says. “Since the outer layers are thinner material and the absorbency happens with the middle layer, they aren't as good for wiping up messes. I tend to use Burt's Bees [burp cloths] for that instead.”

How many burp cloths does a new mom need? ›

If you are wondering, 'how many burp cloths do I need?' It depends on how often your young one spits up, the number of feedings(which are unnumbered as they are still breastfeeding), and how often you want to do the laundry. But anywhere between eight to 14 burp cloths is a good number to have for a single baby.

Can you use receiving blankets as burp cloths? ›

A receiving blanket makes a good stand-in for a burp cloth in a pinch. Breastfeeding coverup. A receiving blanket can be used as a convenient nursing cover-up for added privacy.

When did you stop using burp cloths? ›

How Long Do Babies Need Burp Cloths? Babies usually need burp cloths for as long as they're fed by bottle or breast. It's different for every child, but they get most of their sustenance from milk until about 12 months of age.

Can you use tea towels as burp cloths? ›

Tea Towels – You can use a tea towel instead. They are a good size and absorbent. The main negative is that most are pretty ugly. And you might not like drying the dishes with them once you know what they have been used for.

Can I use washcloths as burp cloths? ›

100% Cotton - Muslin cotton

Viviland baby washcloths can be used as a bath towel, burp cloth, face cloths, or even a reusable baby wipe. When a baby around you is about to be born, you can give the new mom and new dad as a great shower gift.

Why are burp cloths thicker in the middle? ›

Some burp cloths are designed to be thicker in the middle to catch and absorb the bulk of spit-up or vomit, keeping it away from your clothes.

Does Minky fabric work for burp cloths? ›

These burp cloths are ridiculously easy to make–seriously, if you can sew in a straight line, you can make these. They are so much softer and cuter than cloth diapers, and they make perfect baby shower gifts. Whip up several, and grab them whenever you need a quick gift.

Can you use minky fabric for burp cloths? ›

I have used this method to sew burp clothes for all of my own kids and they are always a great baby shower gift too! If you are new to sewing, this tutorial is for you! If sewing with the minky fabric makes you a little nervous you can always use chenille because it doesn't slip around as much as the minky fabric can.

What is the difference between a burp cloth and a muslin? ›

Muslin Cloth v's Burping Cloths

Use – These are used during feeding to wipe away small amounts of milk. While spit-up pads protect you and your clothes when burping a newborn. Size – Muslin cloths are square in shape and measure 25cm x 25cm. They are smaller in size than spit-up rags.

What is the difference between terry cloth and flannel? ›

Terry Cloth: A type of cotton with uncut loops, highly absorbent, and moderate to slow drying time. Flannel: Soft woven fabric, moderately absorbent, and has a moderate drying time.

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