I’m not an expert seamstress by any means. In fact, up until a couple years ago, I thought I really disliked sewing. But after cozing up to my machine, the Brother SE400, it turns out that I really just dislike hand-sewing. I’ve become quite fond of creating things with my sewing machine.
As many of you may know, I recently gave birth to my second child: a beautiful baby boy. This time around, I like to think that I’m a little wiser than with my first. So when we were in desperate need of some more burp cloths, I went shopping…
Imagine this: baby’s don’t get any cheaper the second time around! Haha. The only burp cloths I could find were a set of only 3, for almost $9.00! That seems awfully pricey for something that’s sole purpose is to clean spit up and drool.
So, being the thrifty and crafty girl that I am, I took a trip to Joann’s. – You’ll need to purchase half a yard of flannel and half a yard of a coordinating terry cloth. You can get both of these for less than $10.00, and that doesn’t even include a coupon!
The first thing you’ll need to do is wash and dry your fabric. I used to think this step wasn’t important, but fabric shrinks, and at different rates, so you definitely want to make sure that is done before you do your sewing.
I’d love to see what you make with this tutorial! Don’t forget to share a photo of your finished work in your Ravelry projects and my Facebook group!
Beginner Burp Cloths
SUPPLIES USED
- 1/2 yard of flannel fabric
- 1/2 yard of terry cloth fabric
- Rotary Cutter
- Cutting Mat
- Tape Measure
- Disappearing Ink Pen or Chalk
- Clips or Pins
- Sewing Machine
- Coordinating All-Purpose Thread
After washing and drying your fabric, you will have frayed edges. You’ll need to cut these raw edges using your rotary cutter. I’m sure someone much more professional than me would tell you that you now need to iron your fabric before cutting, but I like to live on the edge (and I also despise my iron).
You’ll want to make sure that your fabric’s edges are pretty straight and even. This is easy to do utilizing your selvage ends of the fabric. However, the ends that are cut by the store employees are usually uneven. So how can you tell? I typically mark similarities in the print along the edge of the fabric with my marker. Then, using my rotary blade, cut along those marks. Then, to make the opposite side even, I just measure over the same distance and mark for the entire length of the fabric. Then again, cut along those marks.
In this case, after shrinkage from the wash and cutting the edges to make the fabric even, my fabric ended up being 15” wide by 41” long. You will likely have slightly different dimensions after you have completed these steps.
Now you’ll need to cut your terry cloth fabric to the same dimensions as your flannel. Lay your flannel on top of your terry cloth (wrong sides together) and cut off the excess. It is helpful to pin/clip your two pieces of fabric together as you go to prevent movement.
You should be able to get a set of 5 burp cloths out of your half yard of fabric. As I mentioned earlier, my fabric ended up being 15” x 41”. The dimensions of your fabric after washing and cutting will likely not be identical to mine, and that is okay.
In order to calculate where to cut your burp cloths out, you simply need to figure out how many times 5 can go into the length of your fabric (in my case, 41”). So, round your length down to the nearest multiple of 5 (41” would round down to 40”), and divide by 5 (40” divided by 5” is 8”). Therefore, in my case, my fabric needs to be cut every 8”. These measurements will need to be adjusted based on the size fabric you are left with after everything is even, and the size or number of burp cloths that you wish to produce.
Now, starting at one of the short ends of your fabric, measure over and mark 8” all the way across.
Cut along the marks that you just created. After each piece has been cut, add clips along the edges to hold the fabric together.
Continue cutting out your 8” pieces until you have 5.
Now it is time to sew!
Beginning about half way down the long edge of your burp cloth, begin sewing all the way around the edge of your burp cloth using a 1/2” seam allowance. Be sure to back stitch at both the start and end of your sewing in order to lock the stitches in place.
You will continue along until a couple inches before you reach the start of your stitches. This creates an opening for turning your fabric right side out. You will need to allow enough space to fit your hand inside.
Put your hand inside the opening you made and pull the fabric through to bring the pattern side of your material out. When your burp cloth is completely right side out, using your finger, push out the corners as much as possible.
Fold in the edges of your opening and clip.
Using a 3/8” seam allowance, sew all along the edge of the burp cloth. Again, be sure to back stitch at the start and end of your stitching.
Trim any excess thread.
And repeat!
There you have it! A set of beautiful, handmade, one of a kind burp cloths, made for under $10!
Finished dimensions of each burp cloth is approximately 14” x 7”.
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Thanks for stopping by! Happy crafting!
Nicole
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