How to Make Burp Cloths: A DIY Guide to 12 Patterns (2024)

Child care

You need a lot of burp cloths, but don't waste money buying them. No matter your skill level, you can sew these simple squares.

How to Make Burp Cloths: A DIY Guide to 12 Patterns (2)

Learning how to make burp cloths is a wise investment of your time — you always need more than you think you will. Far from being used for only burping, burp cloths are priceless in the bassinet, tucked under those chubby chins and wiping runny noses.

Having a baby is expensive, but making your own burp cloths is a great way to cut costs. “I definitely think making them saves money. When I made my set of burp rags for my daughter, I bought a set of matching fabrics and then about two yards of minky,” saysChelsea Johnson, creator of Life With My Littles. Minky is a plush, 100 percent stretchy polyester fabric that resembles chenille and is a favorite among moms (and babies!) for burp cloths. “It was pretty cheap, and I made a bunch for the cost of buying only a few at the store,” Johnson adds.

You can easily go through a dozen cloth diapers used as burp rags in one day (then you’re grabbing for receiving blankets, dish towels and washcloths for your baby’s spit up!) so making a few dozen is recommended.

Here are a few easy DIYs to teach you how to make burp cloths:

  1. Make It Quick
    Johnson’s popular burp cloth tutorial onLife With My Littlesonly takes three steps and less than a yard of fabric.
  2. Use Batting
    “Burp cloths are very easy to make! They are actually a great project for a beginning sewist. You can whip them out in minutes!” saysLinda Gardner, the creator of Craftaholics Anonymous. 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.
  3. Add Ribbon
    Super easy, super cute! Using beautiful ribbon and cloth diapers, this how-to fromGinger Snap Craftsshows you how to create cloths to match your baby’s nursery or make a simple baby shower gift — all with very little sewing!
  4. Round It Out
    “Every mom wants to feel she’s using something special for her baby,” saysDeby Colesof So Sew Easy. Her “Perfect Baby Burp Cloth Pattern” is a fave on Pinterest with almost 30,000 pins, and for good reason — the high-quality, boutique-style cloths are a breeze to make. “Using a fat quarter of fabric, a piece of backing such as toweling, in this case, or flannel, I was able to make them up quickly in sets of three and use the whole piece of fabric with very little waste,” says Coles. “Certainly a better value than the cheap ones you buy in the store that aren’t as nice and won’t last so long.”
  5. Embroider Initials
    Want to make your burp cloths a little more personal?Through My Front Porch’scloths are made with chenille and flannel and then custom embroidered to make it extra special.
  6. Print a Pattern
    This printable pattern fromStop Staring and…Start Sewingmakes this curved burp rag an easy job. Don’t forget to add matching onesies for a fun gift.
  7. Sew Finished Edges
    These large burp cloths fromJones Design Companyare made with terry cloth and linen (most fabric will work). The turned-in edges of the fabric side give them a designer look.
  8. Make It Loopy
    Dress up premade burp cloths with a twist … actually, a loop! This great idea fromMerriment Designadds a fabric loop to hold binkies or a little toy.
  9. Use Scraps
    Though this tutorial fromSteph Jacobsonis a bit more labor intensive, you end up with a unique gift or item for your own baby. It’s a good way to use extra fabric scraps, too.
  10. Add a Scalloped Trim
    She’s Kinda Craftydresses up burp cloths by adding an easy scalloped edge, made with jumbo ric rac.
  11. Ditch the Needle and Thread
    This tutorial fromBombshell Blingis perfect for crafty non-sewers who want a burp cloth that’s just as cute and handy as the sewn kind.
  12. Crochet a Border
    An adorable addition to any burp cloth, you can do this crocheted edging fromJade Louise Designseven if you’ve never crocheted before. This one’s especially sweet on cloths for baby girls.

Want more DIY ideas? Learn How to Make Cloth Diapers.

Margie Mars is themotherof eight and Oma of three. She writes for several top parenting sites and specializes in Attachment Parenting and Autism. Margie and her family live in Oregon. Follow Margie onFacebook.

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How to Make Burp Cloths: A DIY Guide to 12 Patterns (2024)

FAQs

What is the best material to make burp cloths with? ›

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.

Do you put batting in a burp cloth? ›

Purchase ⅓ yard of flannel for each of your homemade baby burp cloths. I also used Cotton Batting for padding. The cotton flannel and batting are both washable and absorbent. Note: You could choose to get a fleece iron on interfacing instead of the batting if you prefer.

What size are homemade 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.

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.

What can I use instead of burp cloths? ›

First and foremost, cloth diapers are more durable than traditional burp cloths. The material of cloth diapers is thicker and more absorbent than a standard cotton burp cloth. They can be washed and used over and over again without wearing out—and that's a good thing for burp cloths, because babies spit up a lot.

Is microfiber good for burp cloths? ›

Compared to traditional muslin burp cloths, the microfiber coral velvet material we use is not only highly absorbent and breathable, but also dries more quickly.

How many burp cloths should you have? ›

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.

Is flannel good for making burp cloths? ›

Flannel: Flannel does a pretty good job of absorbing, but is not so great at keeping the mess from smearing all over the place. Gross. Terry Cloth: Great for absorbing liquids and pretty good at keeping smearing to a minimum. Overall, this is my second-choice material if I don't have cotton chenille.

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.

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 a bib as a burp cloth? ›

Versatility: burpy bibs often have a design that allows them to be used as both a bib and a burp cloth. They have a contoured shape that can be draped over the shoulder for burping or snapped around the neck as a bib during feeding.

How long should a burp cloth be? ›

What is the standard size of a baby burp cloth? Most burp cloths are around 15 -22” in length and 10 - 15” in width. They are this long so that they offer as much coverage as possible and also drape over the shoulder without falling off.

Are muslin burp cloths better? ›

The best fabric for burp cloths is one that's soft, absorbent and fast-drying. If in doubt go for a burp cloth made from natural materials like cotton or muslin.

What is most absorbent fabric? ›

Cotton and Rayon(Viscose) absorb and retains maximum water. Cotton is a natural fiber whereas Rayon is a regenerated cellulosic fiber. Both are hydrophilic in nature and negatively charged fibers attract dipolar water molecules.

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