DIY Burp Cloths

I have a variety of flannels and cottons with baby/nursery prints that I had planned to use to make things for Teeny. Most of these are fat quarters so I knew it had to be a small project. I decided to make burp cloths because they sounded really easy and I could get 3 burp cloths out of one fat quarter. We also need more burp cloths because we only bought a 4 pack and I hear you need more like 12-20 (depending on your baby and how often you do laundry).

Online, it appears most people use those pre-fold diapers and either use them plain or add a decorative strip. My mom used these and swears by them too but I didn't want to buy something in order to make mine so I used what I had on hand: microfiber towels (like the automative cleaning ones--you can get 2 for a 1 dollar at the dollar store).

I prewashed all my fabric (I usually skip this step but since it was going to be for a baby and their skin is so sensitive I thought it was necessary. It also added absorbency to the flannel). Then I cut each microfiber towel in half so it was approximately 7x12 inches (these sound small to me but if you put it on your shoulder, it actually covers a lot of space so I'm not worried about it. Plus, the store bought ones aren't much bigger either). Then I cut a fat quarter of flannel and a fat quarter of cotton in thirds the long way (in other words, cut the 22 inch side into 3 pieces, about 7 inches wide). I found this wasted the least amount of fabric and towel. You could technically do it in half and have 11 inches wide but then you waste 2 inches of your towel.

Then pin your three pieces together: cotton right side up, flannel right side down, and the towel on top (if you put the flannel on the bottom like I did, it gets stuck in your machine and you miss stitches. I'm not sure why but it's VERY frustrating so leave the cotton on the bottom. My machine didn't have a problem with the towel). Sew around the whole thing (I used about a quarter inch seam allowance) but leave a gap to turn. Turn it, iron it, and hand sew the gap closed. Then I top stitched about a half inch around the whole thing. Some people also say to top stitch it twice across the middle (cutting it in thirds) but I didn't find this necessary. Then you're done!

I made two last night because I ran out of time to finish my third one. The feet are my flannel side and the animals are my cotton side. I'm also not entirely sure why they ended up two different sizes (this was true before I even sewed them) but that's okay. I am very pleased with them. I did a water test on them (since I don't have a baby to do it for me yet) and the flannel and microfiber both absorb really well (and dry quick!) but the cotton for some reason is repelling the water, which is why I thought it would make a good back. It takes a good half ounce (in the same spot) before the cotton starts to feel wet.