These soft and sweet homemade baby burp cloths are made from a free printable pattern! Turn some adorable felt fabric into a perfect gift for a new baby with an easy-to-sew craft project.
Jump to:
- A Gift for a New Grandbaby!
- The Best Fabric to Make DIY Baby Burp Cloths
- Free Baby Burp Cloth Pattern
- How to Make the Burp Cloths
- Make a Bunch of Burp Cloths!
- Easy Baby Shower Gifts
- More easy baby gifts to make
- Enjoy!
- Supplies to Make Homemade Baby Burp Cloth
- Easy Homemade Fabric Baby Burp Cloths (Free Sewing Pattern)
A Gift for a New Grandbaby!
When I first created this sewing pattern for Homemade Baby Burp Cloths, I was about to welcome a new grandchild into the family. It was such a special occasion and it called for a special baby gift!
These soft and sweet burp cloths are made from felt in adorable designs. They are just perfect as a gift for a new mom, welcoming a sweet baby into the world.
Now this free pattern and step-by-step tutorial is available for you to make your own burp cloths as well!
The Best Fabric to Make DIY Baby Burp Cloths
Flannel just happened to be on sale the day I went to pick some out for this project. Score!
Another lady and I actually swapped bolts of fabric from our carts as we were choosing what we wanted. In a few more minutes we probably would have also swapped phone numbers and set up a date for coffee! Ha.
I went for flannel with pastels and cute animals on them, but of course the pattern is personal preference. They will make a great gift, so cute packaged together, don’t you think?
Flannel is such a soft fabric to make these easy burp cloths, but you can use other pieces of fabric instead if you'd like. Other options could be terry cloth fabric, or minky fabric.
Though I love using scrap fabric and fat quarters that I have around the house, you'll want to make sure you have ⅓ yard of fabric available.
I also used Cotton Batting for padding. The cotton flannel and batting are both washable and absorbent, making them perfect for these homemade burp cloths!
Note: You could choose to get a fleece iron on interfacing instead of the batting if you prefer.
Free Baby Burp Cloth Pattern
The pattern took quite a bit of time to design!
I like the bean shape because I think it fits better on the shoulder than a straight edged design. I hope they (and you) like it!
Click here to copy this free, three page pattern in full size for these easy baby burp cloths.
Once you've printed it out, cut the three pieces out and tape them together after matching the lines and letters along the edges.
How to Make the Burp Cloths
Once you've assembled the pattern, it's time to start bringing this simple project to life!
This is an easy sewing tutorial, but I hope it's lots of fun.
Cut out the pattern
First thing, you'll start by pinning the pattern on the flannel (folded so pinning through two layers) and cut out around the outer edge.
Also cut out one of the Cotton Batting (or fleece iron on interfacing).
Note: If you chose the fleece iron on interfacing option, iron it onto the wrong side of one of the pieces of the flannel at this time. Then disregard the instructions about the Cotton Batting in the next step.
Pin and sew
Place the two pieces of flannel right sides together with the batting underneath.
Pin all three together around the outside edge of the fabric.
Sew a straight stitch ⅜ inch from the edge all the way around the edge of the burp cloth, leaving an open edge that's about 3 inches wide.
Backstitch at both the beginning and end of the seam.
Trim and turn
Clip little triangle wedges out of the seam around the rounded raw edges of the burp rag, being very careful not to cut into the seam.
This will take the extra fabric out of the seam so it will lay flat when it is turned inside out.
Turn the burp rag inside out (right side out) through the opening you left on the edge.
Press and topstitch
Press out flat and turn the edges of the opening to the inside along the seam line. Pin the opening closed.
Stitch close to the edge all the way around the burp cloth and over the opening so it is stitched shut.
I went ahead and sewed straight lines across the burp cloth about every two inches to keep the cotton batting from bunching up when washed.
You could make a cute criss-cross pattern, or use decorative stitches if you want. It's kind of "quilting" it together.
Make a Bunch of Burp Cloths!
And that's the finished product!
With the process under your belt, it's time to rinse and repeat. I made four Homemade Baby Burp Cloths in just a couple of hours!
The first time you make one of these cloths you'll learn everything you need from the tutorial. Then the second time (and third, and...) it will go quickly!
If you are learning to sew, this is one of those DIY projects that provides great practice. So happy sewing, and good luck!
Easy Baby Shower Gifts
Oh my, I loved how these look all stacked up. I just couldn't wait to give them to my new little grand, that was the best part!
These burp cloth sets make for a perfect gift for a baby shower for expectant mothers. There’s nothing so special as a new baby, what a miracle.
If you want to make some other DIY gifts, check out the list below for some ideas from around the blog. These burp clothes could be cute with some cloth diapers, or a baby blanket from a similar cute fabric!
Of course, if you are making these for your own kids that is wonderful too! Perhaps you'd like to tuck a few in a diaper bag?
Send me a picture of your homemade baby burp rags when you are done. I can’t wait to see the fabric choices that you choose!
Flannel is such a soft fabric to make these easy burp cloths, but you can use other pieces of fabric instead if you'd like. Other options could be terry cloth fabric, or minky fabric.
I love using flannel to make baby burp cloths as it is such a soft fabric! You can also use terry cloth fabric, or minky fabric. To make these baby burp cloths, you'll also need cotton batting.
More easy baby gifts to make
If you are looking for another fun gift to make for a new baby girl or boy in your life, check out these fun ideas from around the blog.
- Easy DIY Baby Onesie Gift (no sewing required!)
- How to Sew a Reversible Baby Bib
- Free Baby Shoes Sewing Pattern
- How to Sew a Hooded Towel for Kids
Enjoy!
If you try this craft, let me know! Go ahead and leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post.
Come join the fun at https://welcometonanas.com
Supplies to Make Homemade Baby Burp Cloth
- ⅓ yard of flannel
- ⅓ yard of cotton batting (or purchase a package of Cotton Batting)
- Thread to match your fabric (All Purpose White Thread works fine as well)
- Sewing Pins
- Scissors
- Sewing machine (Singer | Heavy Duty 4432 Sewing Machine)
Easy Homemade Fabric Baby Burp Cloths (Free Sewing Pattern)
Equipment
- Scissors
- Sewing Pins
- Sewing machine I like the Singer | Heavy Duty 4432 Sewing Machine
Items Required
- ⅓ yard Flannel
- ⅓ yard Cotton batting Or purchase a package of Cotton Batting
- Thread to match your fabric All Purpose White Thread works fine as well
Instructions
- Print out the free pattern. Once you've printed it out, cut the three pieces out and tape them together after matching the lines and letters along the edges.
- Start by pinning the pattern on the flannel (folded so pinning through two layers) and cut out around the outer edge.
- Also cut out one of the Cotton Batting (or fleece iron on interfacing).
- Place the two pieces of flannel right sides together with the batting underneath. Pin all three together around the outside edge of the fabric.
- Sew a straight stitch ⅜ inch from the edge all the way around the edge of the burp cloth, leaving an open edge that's about 3 inches wide. Backstitch at both the beginning and end of the seam.
- Clip little triangle wedges out of the seam around the rounded raw edges of the burp rag, being very careful not to cut into the seam.
- Turn the burp rag inside out (right side out) through the opening you left on the edge.
- Press out flat and turn the edges of the opening to the inside along the seam line. Pin the opening closed.
- Stitch close to the edge all the way around the burp cloth and over the opening so it is stitched shut.
- I went ahead and sewed straight lines across the burp cloth about every two inches to keep the cotton batting from bunching up when washed. You could make a cute criss-cross pattern, or use decorative stitches if you want. It's kind of "quilting" it together.
- Now make a few more to create a giftable set!
Notes
This post was originally published in February 2020 and has been updated to add more relevant and detailed content.
Paula says
What size are your burp cloths? Thank you so much for the pattern.
Georgia says
Looking at the pattern on the fabric, the burp cloth measures about 9" x 20". I think you can buy 1 yard of fabric and make 4 burp cloths. One third yard is 12 inches and it does not look that the 12 inches are used. You could lay your batting down, then fabric with right sides together, lay the pattern down and draw around the pattern instead of cutting. Pin all thicknesses together, then sew 3/8" seam inside the drawing. Please leave and opening to turn.
Shelly says
I am sorry for a late reply- the burp cloths are about 16 inches in length and about 8 inches wide. They then sit over your shoulder.
Paula says
What size are your burp cloths? Thank you so much for the pattern.
Shelly says
I am sorry for a late reply- the burp cloths are about 16 inches in length and about 8 inches wide. They then sit over your shoulder.
kim says
Thank you for the free pattern.
This will be perfect for several teachers at work who are expecting.
They won't break the bank :))
Cynthia says
How did you get the pattern?
Shelly says
I hope you found the link to the printable pattern on the post!
Shelly says
I sure hope you enjoyed making these! they are very inexpensive gifts and have a personal touch.
Katie Wright says
Thank you very much for the burp cloth pattern!! I am wondering if you bought that darling fabric online (?) I particularly love the giraffe fabric (getting ready for a new grandson) 🙂
Shelly says
I found it at a JoAnns- in their store.
It was so much fun choosing the fabrics, they had a hundred choices at least.
I'm sure you could purchase fabric on line as well.
Janell says
I will be a first time Nana in May, and I am so excited to have found this pattern! Thank you for sharing!
Shelly says
Oh, being a Nana is a very special thing. Congratulations!
I hope the burp cloths came together well for you!!
Sincerely- Nana
Sally says
Curious if you pre washed your flannel as well as the cotton batting?
Thank you !
Shelly says
I always prewash fabric especially if it is mostly a cotton content.
That usually softens the fabric and preshrinks it.
I don't prewash batting.
Nana
Kathy Russell says
When cutting the fabric, turn the pattern so the print will be up and down. The giraffes in your example will be sideways when placed on the shoulder. (Just my preferencec)
Shelly says
Such a good comment- thanks for pointing this out!
Nana
Laura says
A friend of mine just had a baby and this would be such a cute gift!
Shelly says
Oh how fun- congratulations to her!
I hope you make a few burp cloths for her!! She'll need them 😉
Nana