World's Best Burp Cloth Tutorial
Learn how to make burp cloths from flannel with this easy sewing tutorial.
Be it for a baby shower gift or as a sewn accessory for your own little one, this World's Best Burp Cloth Tutorial will deliver a hands-down amazing burp cloth.
Simple and concise, these step-by-step instructions on how to sew a burp cloth are just what you need if you're looking for something quick and easy to create.
The resulting burp cloth is absolutely adorable, as you can see with our completed version here.
Truly one of the best burp cloths you can make, save this as a DIY gift when you next need to attend a baby shower.
On this page, you will learn how to sew darling embellished burp cloths, using a free printable pattern. Let's get started!
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Project TypeMake a Project
Time to CompleteUnder an hour
Sewn byBoth Hand and Machine
Materials List
- 1/2-yard of flannel
- 1 yard low-loft cotton batting
- 1 yard washable ribbon (optional)
- 1 yd ric-rac trim (optional)
- Sewing machine, thread, straight pins
- Scissors
- Iron
- Burp cloth pattern PDF
Not only does making your own baby bibs for your own child or for your next baby shower keep costs down, but sewing them yourself allows you to create customized and personalized bibs that everyone will adore.
Find our tutorial and more here >>How to Make a Baby Bib (+12 Free Bib Patterns)
Burp Cloth Tutorial
Burp Cloth Instructions:
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Print and cut out the burp cloth pattern.
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Fold a piece of flannel so that it is wide enough for your desired burp cloth to fit. Trace out half of the burp cloth along the fold and pin. Cut out the fabric. When you unfold the fabric it should be shaped like a peanut. The cloth is contoured to sit nicely on the shoulder.
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Cut another flannel piece for the backing identical to the first.
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Repeat once more to cut a piece from low-loft batting. I prefer natural cotton batting because it's most absorbent.
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You can sew your burp cloth together now, or you can embellish it a bit. I'll show two different options for embellishing the cloth.
Ribbon Embellishment Instructions:
This is an optional addition to the burp cloth, as seen on the example image above.
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Cut a piece of washable ribbon slightly longer than the width of the burp cloth. Pin the ribbon in place.
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Sew the ribbon in place close to the top and bottom edge of the ribbon.
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Since we want the ribbon to align on the back side of the burp cloth, you'll need to layer the front and back together, and position the ribbon so that it overlaps the ribbon on the previous piece. Sew the ribbon in place as you did the first.
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Now we can assemble the layers. Place the front and back flannel piece right-sides together. Make sure that the ribbons are aligned.
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Lay the batting on top. Pin the layers together. We will be leaving an opening along the middle of one side for turning. Sew the layers together with a 1/2-inch seam.
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Trim the excess ribbon in the seam allowance. Notch the curves so the fabric will lay flatter, being careful not to snip your stitches. Turn right side out through the opening.
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Press the burp cloth, being careful not to scorch the ribbon. Turn under the raw edges of the opening and press. Topstitch around the perimeter of the burp cloth using a straight or decorative stitch with a 1-inch seam.
Decorative Trim Instructions:
This is an optional addition to the burp cloth, as seen on the example image above.
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Now I'll show you how you can add decorative trim to a burp cloth. I'm using wide ric-rac. Place a flannel piece face-up on the batting piece.
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Pin the trim around the inside edge of the fabric. Remember that a portion of the trim will be caught within the seam allowance, so adjust the placement of your trim as needed. Make sure the pins stick out so that they are easily visible for removal while sewing. Leave a couple of inches of loose trim in the middle where the hole for turning will be.
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Lay the second flannel piece facedown on top of the first. Pin through all layers.
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Sew the layers together with a 1/2-inch seam, remembering to leave the hole in the middle for turning. Notch the curves, then turn right side out. Press the burp cloth, then fold in the raw edges of the hole. Tuck the loose ends of the ric-rac inside the hole, adjusting them so they overlap neatly.
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Topstitch around the perimeter of the bib with a 1-inch seam.
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These burp cloths are soft, absorbent, and absolutely adorable!