Do you remember seeing these cute burp cloths on this blog post? Today’s we’re sharing a tutorial on how to make them yourself. Burp cloths make a perfect baby gift or are just to make for yourself. They are made out of cloth diapers so they will soak everything up!
Supplies:
- cloth diapers (make sure and get the pre-fold kind. You can get 3 ply or 4 ply…just depends on how thick you want them)
- fabric pieces (I use fat quarters. I used cotton, but you could use flannel if you like too.)
- scissors
- sewing machine
- pins
Optional Supplies
- ribbon
- hem gauge
Step 1: Wash all your fabrics, ribbon (if you are using it) and diapers in hot water and dry them. Your fabric will fray on the edges, but that is okay, we won’t notice this in the finished burp cloth. You want to pre-shrink everything because each fabric shrinks a little differently. So it’s good to shrink them all first before sewing them together.
Step 2: After everything is dry, iron them to make them easier to work with.
Step 3: You are going to cut your fabric. For the length, you are going to measure the length of your diaper and add 1 inch. (Each diaper is a little different, so it’s best to measure what you have.) Then the width will be 6”. My diaper was 17” long, so I cut my rectangle to 18” x 6”. This allows for a ½” hem on each side.
Step 4: Lay the fabric strip on your ironing board and using a hem gauge (if you have one), press a ½” hem down each side. If you do not have a hem gauge, you can just eyeball it.
Step 5: Lay the fabric strip down centered in the middle of the diaper with pressed hems facing down. Pin the fabric into place.
Step 6: Now you are ready to sew. Sew through all layers….you want to make your seam as close the edge of the fabric as you can.
If you want to add ribbon, you can now sew strips of ribbon to each side of the fabric.
That’s it—you have now finished your first burp cloth. Now sew a couple more, stack them together and admire them!
And if you’re looking for charming nursery decor, be sure to check out our fresh and fun personalized growth charts. Or celebrate the new big siblings in your family with a tee from our big sister tshirt or big brother tshirt collections.
Happy Sewing!
Petite Lemon
We're moms and dads who love designing personalized goods that add style and meaning to your special moments and festivities. Our blog is devoted to inspiring your decor and celebrations. 
Those are some of the cutest burp cloths I've seen!
wow those are so lovely!….. thanks for posting…
Are you cutting off the white part of the diaper that sticks out on either side, hemming it, or leaving the original (diaper) width as is? (Thanks – I am ignorant, when it comes to babies, but want to make these for a friend!)
Hello- I’m making these as well for my cousin. In the picture up there and all the ones that I have seen they leave the diaper intact- the white part is folded up there under the added fabric part. That way when you fold them all nice and neat and pretty fabric shows on the outside. On the ones that I have I am added the fabric to the part that has a double layer… so it almost naturally folds under.
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Totally love this, what a great shower gift idea! Thanks for sharing.
I make the burp clothes and use flannel, it absorbs better than the cotton. I also use the fat quarters, you can make two burp clothes out of one fat quarter.
Those are so cute! Thank you for sharing.
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This is probably a silly question…but did you cut your fabric before prewashing it in hot water or after?
Thanks soo much!
Hi Heather! We washed everything first!
sorry ANOTHER question…any good method to removing all the piling on the cloth diapers after washing them?
Try to only wash the diapers on their own, and no more than 24 at a time (too many diapers creates too much friction that can cause pilling). And then to remove a bunch of pilling, try a sweater shaver. Cheers!
These cloths are so cute! What happens to the two white sides of the diaper? Are they just folded under or have they been cut off?
We are glad you like them! So, we actually just left the edges of our diapers as is — we did not fold them or cut them off, but it would be cute to sew them over and add some ric rac or something. We’d love to see what you end up doing! Check our our facebook fan page …. facebook.com/petitelemon Cheers!
Leave it on.
Hi! These look great! I’m going to try to do some for a gift and have one question. What do you do at the bottom and top of the burp cloth when attaching the fabric? Do you have a little hem there too and just sew across? Thanks!
Hi Kelly! OK so, there is just the 2 hems running vertically up each side of the fabric and then we stitched around the entire piece of fabric on to the diaper into the shape of a rectangle. Does that make sense? The stitching at the bottom and top edge of the fabric keeps it from fraying. Let us know if you have any other questions! We’d love to see pictures of your final product … you can post to our facebook wall! http://www.facebook.com/petitelemon
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Ok – probably a dumb question but what is a “fat quarter”?
Hi Karen! No, no not a dumb question at all. A “fat quarter” is a quarter of yard (18 x 22″) and they sell fat quarters all ready cut, so that you don’t have to go to the cutting counter and chop up a yard of fabric just to get that size. Cheers! Jessica
You can also applique some in the middle to add a little something extra.
Hi Carolyn! Yes, love that idea! Applique would be so darling. Lots of possibilities! Cheers! Jessica
I just bought a sewing machine yesterday and this was the first “activity” I ever attempted. I haven’t touched a sewing machine since Home Ec in 7th grade, but my burp cloth turned out SO good thanks to your tutorial! It was so detailed and I love the play-by-play pictures! Thanks for helping out all the beginners, such as myself!
Oh Ashley! Thanks for sharing — that just warmed our hearts. Love that you were able to find joy in our little tutorial. Here’s to many more successful sewing projects! — Jessica, Petite Lemon
I love these. I bought the diapers off amazon and have the material, and a embrodiery machine. I think these are so cute.
I have been making these for years, the last set I made I used a yard of flannel and folded it 3 times, same as a pre-folded diaper, Made a single stitch line from top to bottom to hold it in place, and sew the panel as you have done. i just make a wide zig-zag stitch from side to side to keep it from raveling. I always make a crib blanket out of flannel and use the extra material for my diaper bibs, so very cute and the Mommy always loves the set.
These are so cute! Thanks for sharing the post. I’m wondering where you bought such cute fabric pieces?
Hi Jeanette — at Joann’s!
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I made some Burp cloths with a matching wipie case for a family member she was so happy just love making these for new moms
I am making these with my 13 year old daughter for her soon to be baby sister. We are wondering how to put the ribbon on without showing the thread. I am not a big sewer, just scout patches.
Hi Pamela — we used matching thread, but you could totally use washable fabric glue. Congrats on the new baby! XOXO
You could also use invisible polyester (not nylon) thread.
oops, my daughter is laughing at me since I put sewer, I meant to say I don’t do much sewing.
I forget what is a fat quarter??
Hi Sue — A fat quarter is a one-fourth yard cut of fabric that (usually) measures 18″ x 22″ instead of the typical 9″ x 44″ quarter-yard cut. The longest side’s dimension will vary if your fabric is not 44″ wide.
So, I’m not sure if I’m missing something, but if you don’t put a 1/2 in hem on the top and bottom isn’t the fabric going to hang off because you cut it an inch longer to start with?
It’s in point of fact a nice and useful piece of information. I’m happy that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Hello! Our wording is probably not the clearest — you do need to hem all the way around the piece of fabric.
Hi! These are so cute and I love the fabric you used in the tutorial! Do you know the name of it? Thanks
Hi Jenny! The fabric example is from Heather Bailey’s fabric line title Pop Garden. Here is a link to the actual fabric http://www.heatherbaileystore.com/product-p/ab-pg34-hb07rose.htm
is there a no sew way of doing this?
You could use washable glue or even the iron-on glue strips, but I would think that it may eventually come undone considering a burp cloth would most likely need washed a lot! But there are other options. Good luck!
i used the zig-zag stitch on my machine to attach the fabric to the diaper (then i used a straight stitch very close to the edge of the fabric) – i used thread that contrasted, but complimented the color of the fabric for more visual interest – and in some cases i used a different color in the bobbin so that the stitching on the back would stand out even more against the back.of the burb cloth. love the outcome!
great idead!! thanks for sharing michele!! cheers, jessica
If I had extra material left over from the swatches of colorful material, I made a small over-the-carrier blanket, and simply sewed the random pieces together and attached to a flannel small blanket. That way, the burb clothes matched the little carrier blanket.
I am just learning how to sew and I am so excited to try this. My daughter is having twins and I would love to make these for her. Thank you so much for sharing.
If you buy Chinese pre-folds or Indian cotton prefolds the pilling doesn’t happen and you have a high quality burp cloth that will last. I was able to order some on Amazon and read a note online that suggested washing them multiple times to soften the diapers.
Ok just to share I washed the Indian cotton prefolds and the Chinese prefolds- the Chinese prefolds pilled and the Indian prefolds didn’t pill! Thanks for your tutorial, it is wonderful!
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I made burp cloths for my grandson. We picked up flannel receiving blankets at yard sales. Once we took them home and washed them in hot water, the little blankets were perfect to make into burp clothes. They are a little longer than cloth diapers, but that’s okay. Some little extra-”pukey” ones need a little bigger cloth! I took the blankets and started about 4-5″ from one side, and began a fanfold, to with 4-5″ of the opposite edge. Pin, and stitch down each fold, and viola! You can even make them out of NEW receiving blankets to match the baby bedding pattern, but we were a little more budget-conscious at the time!
I bought 6-ply diapers, and my thread keeps bunching up. Do you think I need a heavier duty needle?
Megan- I am having the same problem. Did you find a solution to this? What size needle did you use? Thanks!
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Hello! I love this idea but do not have a sewing machine. Do you think if I used the iron on transfer paper on the material it would hold on the diaper? Have a good one!
Thanks!
Do you have any tips of how to see the ribbon on?
Hi Amie — we pinned our ribbon on first and that helped keep it nice and strait. Cheers!
I’ve made burp cloths like this but have found another easy way to make them. Instead of putting a long vertical strip down the middle of the diaper, I cut a piece of fabric that is 1/3 the size of the diaper’s length and then place the fabric on one of the lower horizontal edges. Fabric is turned under on the two outside edges as well as the lower edge. I cover the raw edge at the top with a ribbon. I saw this technique in a gift shop and really like the looks of it. I also think it’s easier to make.
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I have been sewing diaper burp cloths for several years as gifts; however, I use machine decorative stitching along the sides. They look nice on the burp side also. Matching fabirc neck bibs are a big hit wherein I use toweling on the inside with solid color on back side all matching the print of the diaper burp clothes. (no use wasting and cutting a diaper for the neck bib). Then I turn the neck bib inside out after sewing and then include the same decorative stitching around the edge.
Do you have any pictures of this
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Where did you get your diapers? I can’t seem to find the right kind. I bought 6-ply ones at BRU. They are the kind with the padded middle, and the middle bunched up when I washed them. I found some 6-ply flats, but no 3 ply flats. Do yours have the padding in the middle? Is there a trick to not getting the middle bunched up? I dried them on medium. It seems like the fabric shrunk a bit, but the padding in the middle didn’t, so the padding is bunched up inside, even though the outside looks flat. You can feel the bunching though when you try to lay it flat. I hope that makes little sense. Thanks!!!
Hi Jackie — so the diapers kind of naturally bunch in the middle a bit. We washed ours first and then ironed them out with steam and that really flattened them out. Plus, when we sewed the fabric on, it helped flatten them out even more. Hope that helps!! Cheers, Jessica
Lovely!
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Jessica, these are so beautiful! I love making burpies – it’s so fun to turn something so basic and practical into something beautiful (and personal) that can bring a smile to your face, even if you are using it to wipe up pukey baby ick!!! I love the fabric you have chosen – I tend to use Flannel with a little more childish/babyish look, but you have inspired me to move on to a more sophistocated look – a look any hot mama would clearly love in her mod diaper bag!! Thanks for taking the time to share this!!!
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Thanks for the awesome tutorial!
http://christenheartspinterest.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/diy-burp-cloths-for-my-super-spitty-baby/
Thanks so much for the instructions. My grandaughter wanted me to make some for my new great grandson and I just hadnt gotten around to figure out how to make them. I guess I need to get sewing.
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my Grandaughter and I are going to give it a try for her little boy, A fun project for us to do together.. we covered some pillows today…look at us go haha
I am making these for my friend who just had a baby girl. I am thinking of adding ribbon but I am wondering if you had sewn on both sides of the ribbon to hold it down???…you probably did but it looks like you only stitched on one side of it… Thanks!
Hi Chelsea — we actually just did one side, but you could totally do both! Whatever you have time for. What a darling gift! Let us know if you have any other questions. Cheers! Jessica
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Very cute! Where did you buy the cloth diapers at? The fabric looks really soft unlike some I’ve seen at Wal Mart.
Hi Sara — the diapers we used are Gerber brand and we ordered them from Amazon.com! Washing them helps soften them up too!
Love these! I have everything I need to get started but have one question. You said “the width will be 6 inches” so I want to make sure you mean the unfinished width and not the finished width. You said you cut your rectangle 18 x 6 so is your finished width FIVE inches. Just want to make sure I cut this right! I had so much fun picking out my fabrics, and am excited to make these. Thanks again!
Hi Michelle — yes, you are correct. The finished width will be 5″. Good luck! Let us know if you have any other questions! Cheers, Jessica
Hi, I’m a little confused about the width of the cloth. The center padding in my prefolds extends beyond the 2 center (vertical) seams. When I measure my fabric, should I measure the width between the existing cloth diaper seams, or the width of the padding? If I use the padding width, that means when I finish the project I will see 4 vertical seams down the length of the diaper (from the backside). Is that correct? If I try to sew over the current seams, there will be just two, but some excess padding will stick out on both sides, right? I also don’t know if it’s too thick to sew through the padding. Help! And thanks!
Vicki,
When we sewed ours, we sewed over the current seams so there are only 2 vertical seams on the back. There was a little excess padding on the sides, but it still looks great. Your machine shouldn’t have a problem sewing through all the layers. Good luck!
Cheers!
Hillary
One time saving tool is making templet from your cereal box. Cut it open and cut to the finished measurement. Then when you cut your fabric (with the seam allowance of 1/2 in ) you place the templet on the wrong side of the material and iron the fabric over the templet sides. Time saving and your projects can be lined up on the diaper with min. pinning then sew and your done.
thank you for the tutorial I am a new sewer and have only done one project I believe I have found my second project!!! this looks very cute I am due in February and would love to have these for our little bundle and I really appreciate this tutorial
Thank You for sharing this. I now have Baby gifts for all the new little’s that are coming.
Hi there. I love your burp cloths!! Im just wondering, is there another option other than the pre folded diapers? I can’t seem to find them in South Australia?
I love your burp cloths!! I’m just wondering if there is another option other than the pre folded nappies?
Hi Nicole — oh no! I’m not sure what other kind of fabric would work, maybe some sturdy cotton? Or is it something that you could order online?
Thanks for the reply! I made the burp cloths using the terry towelling cloth nappiesand cut them in half and sewed around the edges. They still look good but not as neat as yours
Hey Nicole — that sounds like a great idea! I’m sure they are darling and will be well loved and well used!! Cheers, Jessica
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Easy Cheesy Cute Cloths! Thank for the easy to understand and follow tutorial!
We love it! Hoping to feature the idea on our site with, a link back to you. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Angela — sure, go for it! Cheers!! Jessica
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I love these and cant wait to make them for my sister! I also bought 6-ply diapers, but my thread keeps knotting up (acting like its too thick) What size needle did you use? Thanks!
Hi Amber! For our needle size, we used a universal size needle. Since you are using a thicker diaper, maybe try using a denim needle. Cheers! Jessica
I am confused how you finish the top and bottom of the fabric as you attach it to the diaper. At one point it said just to sew the raw edges of the fabric to the diaper (why allow 1/2 on each end?)……… then it said to fold over all four sides of the fabric 1/2 inch so all four sides have finished edges. I have found that many of the diapers after they have been washed are not completely straight across the top/bottom. What would you suggest then? Thank you for your help….
Hi Sue!! Fold over each edge of the fabric so you don’t have any exposed edges on the frabic. Pin the fabric on to the diaper. You are right that the diapers aren’t always square —none of these diapers will be perfect. Just pin it on there and get it close to the edge. No need to be exact. Cheers! Jessica
Love these burpcloths and can’t wait to make them for my sister’s upcoming baby shower! However, I still need some clarification with the extra fabric at each end ot the cloth. After you sew your strip on, do you cut off the excess 1/2″ so it is the same length? In your tutorial pic, it looks like they are the same length before you sew the strip of fabric on. So if you cut your fabric 18″ but the cloth measures 17″ how do they end up the same length? Just confused! Please help!
Hi Tammy! You fold down all sides so you have no exposed edges of the fabric. Then sew it on to the diaper. This will make it 17″…since you folded the edges down. Does that help? Cheers, Jessica
Yes! Thanks for the help and for getting back to me so quickly! I can’t wait to see how they turn out!