How To Make Diaper Burp Cloths
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Below are some tips on how to make diaper burp cloths. Note: because it’s my personal preference, I only use prefold diapers and I only embellish one end. I also do not add extra material to the back side, though many people like to do so for a more decorative touch.
No time to make them yourself? I will be glad to do the sewing for you. Contact me for pricing, ribbon choices and whether you want custom embroidery added or if you want them left blank so you can add your own personal embroidery.
Which Cloth Diaper for Your Burp Cloths?
When looking for a prefold, specifically if you plan to do machine embroidery embellishing, remember to look for those with white stitching.
Also, no matter how you plan to embellish your diaper burp cloth, there IS a right and wrong side. Look closely at the stitching on the cloth and you will be able to see a raw edge on one side. For decorative purposes, this should be treated as the back side of the diaper.
Also note that prefolds come with different layering which is noted by three numbers which are read as: side, middle, side. For example a prefold noted as 4x6x4 simply means that the sides are four layers and the middle is six layers. Since you will be making burp cloths, an extremely thick middle is not necessary. You’ll do just fine with a 2x5x2. If you are planning to embellish with machine embroidery, it’s always better to keep layering to a minimum since layers tend to shift no matter how good your hooping ability is. I find it’s a good idea to baste the layers of the diaper before I start embellishing when I am making diaper burp cloths. If your embroidery software gives you the option to add a basting stitch prior to sewing out the design, you may find it useful to use it.
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Other tips regarding machine embroidery embellishing on burp cloths:
Use a medium weight tear away stabilizer. (You do not need to add a clear top stabilizer like you would use if embroidering on a towel.) I've used many different brands of stabilizers. The less expensive ones work just as well as the well-known name brands. However, when it comes to embroidery threads, I have learned to stay away from the cheap ones (which break easily) and prefer those made by Floriani, Isacord, Mettler, and Robison-Anton. If you can't find these brands in your local area, you can buy them through numerous online sources.
Those Pesky Uneven Edges!
I can almost guarantee you that every single prefold cloth diaper you want to turn into burp cloths will not have even edges. Here are some things that you can do.First option: Cut off the uneven edge and re-serge it with a new straight edge and then continue to embellish.
Second option: Hide the uneven edge by covering it with lace or ribbon. If covering the bottom edge with ribbon, you still may have to cut the edge to even it prior to sewing on the ribbon for a nice neat finish.
Third option: Choose the edge that is most even and then draw attention away from it by adding a ribbon border an inch or two above the edge. This draws the eye up toward the embroidery or other embellishment and makes the uneven edge of the diaper burp cloth less noticeable.
Fourth option: Ignore the uneven edges. With the addition of an adorable design, who’s going to care? Right!!!
Sources for Cloth Diapers
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In the meantime, have fun and see how creative you can be making diaper burp cloths!
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Diaper Burp Cloths Make Wonderful Bibs
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Once you have completed your burp cloth, here's what to do.
Lay a regular bib on top of the burp cloth and trace the neck opening with a water or air soluable pen. This will be your cutting line, just DON'T CUT IT YET.
Next, on the outside of your drawn cutting line, mark your sewing line (approx. 5/8ths away) and make dashes or dots, whatever works for you, to indicate this line as your sewing line.
Sew along the marked sewing line.
NOW you can cut the neckline out along your marked cutting line.
Once you have cut the fabric, you will need to finish the raw edge of the neckline. I prefer to serge it. If you do not have a serger, try one of the many utility stitches (such as the overlock stitch) found on your sewing machine. Don't like this look? Bind the neckline with premade bias tape or make your own bias tape to bind the neckline edge.
To finish the bib, add a closure to the neckline. I like the simplicity and ease of adding snaps.
Snap Attaching Tool Size 16-Purple known as the SnapSetter is a really helpful tool which makes this fast and easy. (Just be sure to practice beforehand ... one half has to face up and one half has to face down!) If snaps aren't your thing, you can sew narrow satin or grosgrain ribbon ties at the top of the neckline opening.
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