Tutorial: Burp Cloth

Baby?!  No, not me…2 of my bosses are having boys.  One had his last week – happy and healthy, and the other is due in about 2 months.  What could be better than homemade a burp cloth as a little welcome gift?  They are precious, soft, and always needed!

What You Need

0.6 of a meter of cotton
0.6 of a meter of backing
machine
matching thread
iron
ironing board
scissors
pins

First, select some fabric.  I like to make a set out of 3 different fabrics, each burp cloth being different.  So, in the end I usually end up with 4 sets including 3 different looks, each set having 3 burp cloths.

Here I’ve gone with a blue theme – the blue chenille is too soft to pass up.  I paired it with a fun elephant design, polka dot, and a baby giraffe print.  The second set, made with white flannel or terry cloth as the backing, is more sophisticated – plaid, modern design print and a more grown-up polka dot.

Then, cut the fabric.  I cut mine 21 inches by 13 inches.  Why?  I like them on the larger side, for one; and two, you can get 4 out of .6 of a meter.  Most Canadian fabric stores (like Fabricland) sell the cotton quilting print in 45 inches wide, so you’re a little limited.  The chenille, however, is 60 inches wide (so I end up with a bit of scraps, which is okay by me!)

Now, place right sides together and pin with label in place.  Don’t forget to leave a hole to pull it though.  I use white pins all the time and use red ones for times like this, so I instinctively know to stop stitching when I come upon a red pin.  Good little trick!

Topstitch all the way around with a 3/8-inch seam allowance (about the size of your presser foot).

Key Tip

Clip corners and trim sides giving the burp cloth a more polished, professional look when it’s finished.
Turn right side out.

Pin closed the opening you used to turn it right side out.  I made a mistake on one of mine and forgot to stitch in the label – quick fix: I did it here, at this step, when pinning closed the opening.

Iron your seams – this will help make the next step easier and allow you to skip pinning!

Now topstitch all the way around again, still using the 3/8-inch seam allowance.  You don’t want to go all the way to the edge, you want to stay 3/8 of an inch on the inside at all times.  So, when you get close to the edge, leave the needed in, lift the presser foot, and spin the burp cloth.  Lower the presser foot and stitch along that side – keep repeating until all 4 sides are done.

Iron again.  Fold the burp cloth how you would most likely store it.  Fold in 3, in 4, or in 6.  Iron so the lines show up on the chenille side.  Topstitch along the lines – this will not only help the cloth keep its shape, but will also always keep it looking polished and new.

Iron one final time, box them up pretty, and gift away!