burp cloth tutorial and a giveaway

Before I had Violet I had a rather long list of all the things I wanted to make and sew before the impending birth. Most, of course, were baby related. Funnily enough, most things didn't even get started until the third trimester, but somehow I managed to cross a lot of those items off the list. The bibs didn't get done, or much knitting either, but a cot quilt was made, new born nappies sewn (from Soulemama's Handmade Home), many little pairs of reversible pants from Handmade Beginnings, handmade wipes and a few little dresses. Because I could not help but find out the gender at the ultrasound.

As I was to discover it was not all about the sewing, but also about the process of feathering the nest for a brand new little one. There was this urge to not only get things ready for this new addition, but to also create some beautiful little things and welcoming corners of the home.

I never had burp cloths with my first two. I had just used spare towelling nappies to clean up the inevitable messes that babies make. I did think it would be nice to use something a little prettier. Afterall you do tend to wear them on your shoulder permanently for the first few weeks. So, after a little research online and combining a few ideas I sewed up a batch of a dozen burp cloths. I used many a day the first few months and they are still being used right now. In fact, I may have needed more than a dozen. When I'm finished with them they will make a great addition to the rag collection.

I thought I would give a quick tutorial on how to make these. Great for those expecting or with a little one already, or you could sew a few as a gift for a new baby.

 I used vintage sheeting backed with two layers of flannel. The sheeting to look pretty and the flannel for absorbency.  You could use any combination of new cotton and replace the flannel with towelling. Natural fibres are best as they absorb far better. Though I did use a few poly cotton blend fronts with no adverse effects, as long as the back is absorbent.

I cut out one rectangle 42 x 27 cm in the sheeting cotton, and another two in the flannel.

cotton sheeting

flannel sheeting

Place together all three layers, with one layer of the flannel and the cotton sheeting right sides together.

Pin together.

With approximately 1cm seam allowance sew around the edges of the rectangle, being sure to leave a gap of a few inches to allow it to be turned out.

Trim corners and edges if necessary.

Turn right way through gap. Press.

Slip stitch to close the gap.

Sew a seam about a centimeter inside the rectangle to hold it together nicely.
(And I am sorry about the late afternoon, progressively getting darker shots!)

Finished! Burp cloth completed.

Which brings me to the fact that I have three burp cloths to give away. You don't have to have a baby to enter. Just leave a comment below and I will pick a random winner. Comments close on Sunday at midnight AEST. Winner announced Monday. Good luck!