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When I was pregnant with Little J, I decided I wanted to make my own burp rag and bib sets. So I made a bunch of sets with all these cute boy fabrics I found and I LOVED them. The burp rags I made were incredibly easy, I packed them in his hospital bag when he was born, and I used them the entire time I nursed (eight months). The best part was that they lasted that long, and I’m sure they would last even longer if I wanted to keep using them, but I definitely wanted to make new girl burp rags. Hence, this tutorial!
Now when I say these are the easiest and best burp rags you will ever sew, I really mean it. Two rectangles of fabric sewn together, flipped right-side out, and then topstitched. I am not kidding, they are that easy.
So now that you are not scared of this sewing, let’s begin!
Here’s what you need:
1/3 yard minky fabric, prewashed
1/3 yard patterned fabric, prewashed
Thread to match
Step One: Cut a rectangle 10×18″ out of both the minky fabric and the patterned fabric. I used my cutting mat
Step Two: Sew the two rectangles together, right-sides together, with a 1/2″ seam, leaving a 1″ opening in the middle of one of the edges.
Step Three: Flip the burp rag right-side out, and topstitch all the way around, including on the opening to close it.
Step Four: Just kidding, there isn’t a step four. You are done! I told you that was insanely easy! And they work so well.
The minky is super soft on baby’s face, and the cotton is breathable and you can pick any cute fabric you want!
I love the set I made for baby girl and I can’t wait to use them!! These also make for great gifts!!
Good luck and happy sewing! And if you want to try out sewing something else for baby, you can use my tutorial for a standard car seat cover or a quilted car seat cover! Or check out my best and easiest bib tutorial!
These look great! Where did you find the adorable fabric?
That’s what I was wondering. Where did you get your fabric??
It’s the Michael Miller Glitz collection and I found it from various sellers on Etsy! I think they still make it, even though I bought it over two years ago!
I’m gonna have to see if they still have some. It looks great!
Thanks for the tutorial Chelsea!
Thanks, I still love it so much! I used it in my daughter’s room design, too! Good luck! And you’re welcome!
I love your fabric! They look like super soft burp cloths!!! They turned out great!
Thanks! It is from the Michael Miller Glitz collection. I bought it off Etsy. I made baby girl's quilt out of it, too!
How many does it make with the 1/3 yard of fabric?
It depends on the width of your fabric. You’d have to measure it out and see!
Hi I’m having our first baby And have very excited to start making my own bibs and burp rags. Im using Terry cloth and I was wondering if should prewash the Terry cloth before sewing.
I would prewash all of it. I’m not sure how the terry cloth will hold up, but I’d love to hear!
Thanks for the advice, I will let you know how it went.
I just finished making 7 of these cute burp rags, and they are the easiest to make. Super cute and very beginner friendly. I prewashed all the Terry cloth and they turned out beautifully. Next on my list to make is the easiest bibs tutorial. Thank you for sharing your ideas.
That’s great to hear!!! I’m glad they were easy for you! Good luck with the bibs! And thanks for sharing 🙂
1/3 yd is 12 inches so it would depend on the length on the fabric you selected if it’s 45inches I’d say 2 per piece. Hope that helps
Thanks! They are! And they are really absorbent and stay good for the whole time you will use them!
Super cute idea! I think these would be a cute baby shower gift too 🙂
Pinned! Totally making these for my SIL, can't wait to find out if it's a boy or girl. These are SO cute and look so soft!
It's true! They don't cost a lot to make, they are really easy, and they look really nice!
How fun! It took me so long to pick fabrics for making Little J's burp rags, and luckily I just found a collection from Michael Miller for baby girl's!
These are super cute and look like a sewing project even I can do. Is the patterned fabric jersey our cotton? Thanks for sharing!
Did you use a flannel fabric or cotton for top of rag? And is thread elastic or regular?
Thanks! I just used cotton.
Just cotton and regular thread. You don't need to use elastic!
Super cute! I plan to make a bunch of these for myself (due in March) one I know if it's a boy or a girl 🙂
Just curious where you purchased the soft white fabric on the back?
Congratulations! Our son was born in March! It's a good month for babies 🙂 I just bought the white minky from Jo-Ann!
Hey! I just saw this tutorial on Pinterest, I'm excited to try it! Cute blog, will definitely be following along!
Thank you, Jen!
really cute and nice clear directions. only comment is about using minkie for backing. It has NO absorbing quality, I use terry cloth. either by the yard or even cheap towels. Having raised 8 little ones, I know how important it is when you have spitting up or drooling baby to keep wiped up.
Donna B. Is right about Terry cloth. I use cloth diapers for the ones I did.
I disagree. I used minky burp cloths the entire time nursing my son and never had any problems. Maybe the minky I got is just better? I used fluffy minky and it works great.
I think using fluffier minky helps, because I haven't had any problems with mine!
I made several of these, super easy and I can use left over materials. My daughter in law loves them!!! I used towels bought at Walmart for the terry part.
Good idea!!
what is mommy fabric.sewed for years but don't know that term minky
Minky fabric is the fluffy fabric. Some have dots, some are fluffy, some have patterns. You can just do a quick search on Etsy to see tons of different kinds.
My daughter had horrible acid reflux for 8 months (her doctor was surprised she was even gaining weight with the amount she spit up) and I was given both minky and terry cloth burp rags and the minky worked 1000 times better than terry cloth plus it didn't chap her delicate skin with all the wiping. These are definitely the best and easiest burp rags ever!!!
What is "Minky" fabric?
Minky fabric is the fluffy fabric. Some have dots, some are fluffy, some have patterns. You can just do a quick search on Etsy to see tons of different kinds. It's called "Soft n fluffy" fabric at Jo-Ann.
Thank you! And yeah, because it's so soft it won't be rough on baby's skin when you have to wipe their face a lot!
I am making these great idea they are very nice thanks for the idea.
Thanks and you are welcome! They are super nice to have on hand!
What stitch did you do to sew the burp cloths together .
Just a standard one. Nothing special!
I was just going to say the same thing. Minky isn't absorbent it just kind of mushes spit up around. I have used several different kinds and it doesn't matter the type of it, it all sucked. Soft yes, nice for pillows or blankets oh yes, burp rags, no.
Thank you for your feedback, Kim. I have used minky burp rags for a year with my son, and now I am using them again with my daughter. I never have any problems with it!
How exactly do you flip it inside-out after you sew the first time? I'm a beginner at sewing. I can't wait to try this.
So cute, cant wait to try this out!
You need to leave a 1" opening so that you can flip it. You will sew that shut when you topstitch it. Look at the picture for step two and it will show the opening!
Thanks!! I sure love using mine!
How many burp clothes will the 1/3 yard of minky make? I am making some for my sister and will use several different flannel prints for the tops and white minky for the bottoms. Just want to make sure I have enough minky for at least 6 burp cloths.
I'm not 100% sure. It depends on how wide your minky is. You need rectangles that are 10×18" long, and if you get 1/3 yard, that is 12". So if your minky is 45" wide, you can make two burp rags with it (and have 9" left at the end). I hope that makes sense!
If Minky is 60 wide then she has enough for 3 burp cloths.
Yes! Thanks! I can never remember what width each fabric is.
Another thing you can use is fat quarters from Walmart. They are 97 cents each and it makes two tops from one fat quarter. Just cut it in half. I am using them and adding fleece to the back. So easy to make. My granddaughter loves them.
These are so cute. I'm pinning them for some day. Where did you find this adorable fabric!?
Thanks! It is the Michael Miller Glitz collection! I used it for my daughter's room, too! It is my favorite fabric collection ever!
Where did you get the fabric?? Love it!!
Thanks! It's the Michael Miller Glitz collection. I did Little A's quilt in it, too!!
These are super cute, but I just read a pin that says you can't put minky fabric in the dryer. Did you hang dry all of yours or is this not true? Thanks
That's definitely not true. I put my minky burp rags I made for my son in the dryer for over a year and never had any problems!
You're welcome and thank you! They are easily my favorite burp rags!!
LOVE these! I don't have babies right now but I will most definitely be making these one day! Thanks so the great post.
These look fab. Are you gonna share your bib tutorial?? 😉
Thanks! I might! I didn't make any more for Little A because I'm just using all of Little J's bibs that I made two years ago. But I still have the pattern!!
These are adorable! Thanks for the great resuable idea!
Thank you so much! And you're welcome!
Can someone tell me, does 1/3 of a yard of each fabric make more than one, or just one ?
Well you can make 1 every 18", so it depends on the width of your fabric. If it is 45" fabric you can make two out of 1/3 yard, and if it is 60" fabric you can make three out of 1/3 yard. Hope that helps!
Where can i buy the mink fabric from?
What exactly is minky fabric
Minky fabric is available at all fabric stores. It is also called \”soft and comfy\” fabric. Just ask anyone who works at the store and they can help you find it!
It is the fluffy soft fabric that is used for baby blankets and changing pass a lot.It is also called \”soft and comfy\” fabric.Minky fabric is available at all fabric stores. Just ask anyone who works at the store and they can help you find it!
Thank you!
That's a great idea! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I make these for the girls at work for one of their shower gifts. I also use minkie on one side, but use flannel on the other side. I work at a pediatric hospital and we(the staff) have lots of babies each year. The year I started making these, we had 16 girls pregnant at one time. Anyway they have all reported back to me how much they LOVe LOVE the burp rags, that the minkie is absorbent and so is the flannel side. and that the kids love them when they are teething and just to cuddle up to. Thay are easy to make and everyone loves them.
I got the "white" fabric from Joanne's is the soft and cuddly, is what they call it. and it comes in many different colors.
I had one that I used flannel on the other side because I just loved the print. They really are great! And yes, my daughter likes to use them to chew on now that she is grabbing everything. They are just the best, aren't they?! Thanks for stopping by!
Yup!
Just made these yesterday, turned out great!! I used a cute monkey print for mine.
How cute! I'm sure baby will love them!
Where did you find that type of minkie? HAve never seen that one. Minkie dot and a furry looking one. But not with the lines in it.
I found it in the soft n' comfy section at JoAnn! It's sort of by the terry cloth area.
You can also do these with a serger. i did 15 in ONE HOUR!
Oh, great idea! That's awesome!!!
Really cute and nice clear directions
Thanks so much!
Can I use chanille cotton fabric for the back or terry cloth
I’m not sure about chenille but terry cloth works, it’s just not as soft.
Quick question: Did you prewash both the minky and cotton fabrics prior to cutting and sewing?
Yes. You should really prewash anything that you are going to be washing a lot, because you don’t want it to shrink and get weird once you sew it.
Do you prewash the minky by hand or washer? I’m afraid it would come apart because it’s not sewed? I’m new to this sewing phase lol
I just use the washing machine! Good luck!
Do you have a tutorial for your bibs you made?
I don’t. But I might make one now that you suggested it!
These are so cute!! What’s the best way to wash & dry these?
Thanks! Since they are just cotton, I just use regular detergent and wash and dry them like anything else!
I would love to see your matching bibs, these would make great gifts as I am about to become a great aunt
Congratulations! And yes, they do make great gifts! You are not the first one to ask for the bibs, so maybe I will get that post together!
Thank you for your tutorial. Where can you purchase Michael Miller fabric?
Of course! I got mine off of Etsy. Lots of people sell it on there.
Thank you so much for this, you make it very simple! I was wondering about the prewash, did you sew the edges first? I would like to use flannel and every site recommends prewash. I don’t want to loose yardage when I wash but I plan to make dozens of these and really don’t want to sew all the fabric twice. Help please 🙂
The reason you prewash fabric is because the first time you wash it, it will shrink a little. So regardless of what fabric you use, you should prewash it. If you don’t wash it before sewing, the first time you wash the finished product it will shrink in weird places and make your finished product look kind of weird. I never sew the edges before prewashing. I guess you could, but I think it’s sort of a waste since you’ll be cutting those edges off when you make your pattern anyway. Hope that helps!
I’m going to Jo-Ann on Friday to get the supplies to make some of these for my niece’s first baby. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU for sharing this quick and easy tutorial!
You’re welcome! I’m sure they will turn out amazing! It’s pretty much impossible to mess these up!
Hi there! These are super cute! I am debating (and think you have won me over) on making these vs adding a center fabric panel to cloth diapers. I need to make a bunch for new babies that will be born this year from our MOPS group. If I have 45″ wide fabric how many will I be able to get out of a yard? How about 60″? Thank you thank you!!!
You can get 2 burp rags out of 1/3 yd. of 45″ fabric, and 3 out of 1/3 yd. of 60″ fabric. Good luck! These are certainly the easiest!
Just finished making my 11st gender neutral one!!! After more than 12 years since I last sewed…not too shabby…thanks for the simplicity of it. Started with scrap cotton fabrics at hobby lobby, bought kinky fabric, and VOILA! Next stop…ETSY for similar fabric as you used via Micheal Miller Collection. Thanks a million!
You’re welcome! I’m so glad that you were able to follow along! They really are so easy, and they work great! I hope you enjoy them!!!
These are absolutely amazing! I’m totally making these for my little girl coming soon. How many do you get out of 1/3 yard of fabric?
You can get 2 burp rags out of 1/3 yd. of 45″ fabric, and 3 out of 1/3 yd. of 60″ fabric. Good luck!
I have made many blankets with minky fabric and have tons left over. I was just curious if the dotted minky is as absorbent as the kind you use in the tutorial?
It’s not as thick and fluffy, so I don’t think it would work as well.
What a great idea! I really love the fabric that you used…and what a great baby shower gift. If you’re interested, we’d love to share this project with our readers! Check out http://www.diyideacenter.com for more info. 🙂 Thanks again for sharing this awesome project!
Thanks, Melissa! I’ll check it out!
Love these; going to make some! Just wondering, do you put your baby against the fabric or minky side of the cloth? ie, which side does baby puke on? Hehe 🙂
I put my babies against the minky side 🙂
Very cute! I love minky… tip for those who buy minky dimple dot fabric like I did: DO NOT IRON! Haha. I may have been asleep that day, but no more dots on the one piece I used to make a bib. 😀
Great, easy tutorial and I love the fabrics you chose.
Thanks, Nikki! And great tip!
I really want to make these but cant find that minky fabric anywhere all that hobby lobby has is the dotted find and its more silky than soft. I also looked on the joann website and couldn’t find it.I want the kind just like yours.
I’m not sure what exactly it’s called, but I got mine at Joann. Sorry!!
How do they wash after being made? Do the 2 layers pull apart?
Not at all! They stick together great! I used these for over a year and had no problems.
These look great! Could you please tell me if the ‘minky’ is the same as ‘plush’/”cuddle soft’. I haven’t come across ‘minky’ over here in the UK
Thanks in advance Helen
I think it is the same, but since I’m in the US I can’t be 100% sure. If it’s extra soft and fluffy then I would say yes!
I’m new to sewing and understand leaving the top open to close off after you turn it right side out, but I can’t figure out what and where the one inch opening goes & what its purpose is? Thanks!
It doesn’t really matter where it goes since the burp rag is a rectangle. It’s purpose is that you have to have an opening so you can turn it right side out, because if you don’t and you sew it all the way around, you won’t be able to flip it right side out.
Hi Chelsea. I love your blog and so happy to find your project on Pinterest. Just want to personally thank you and let you know that I featured this project on my blog in my sewing for babies post.
Here it is, http://sewingmadesimple.net/sewing-projects-for-babies/
Please let me know if I missed something or if you want to change and add information about your blog and project.
Xoxo,
Amber
P.s. I’m a new fan. 🙂
Thanks, Amber! It looks great! And I love the other tutorials you added in the roundup, too! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Chelsea I was wondering what is the second type of fabric you use with the Minky fabric?
I just used cotton fabric! The one in the pictures is Michael Miller’s Glitz collection.
I made these last month for my neice’s baby shower – they turned out so cute, and she loved them.
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks, Bobbi!
What are the supplies needed to make these? (i.e. sewing machine, pins) Thank you!
Besides the items listed in the post (1/3 yard minky fabric, prewashed, 1/3 yard patterned fabric, prewashed, thread to match), you will need scissors, pins, and yes, a sewing machine.
Very, very nice! I just found this on Pinterest. Well, actually, Pinterest found me. 🙂 This was one of those, “Look what we found for you!” emails from Pinterest, and I love it. I make these as gifts for our missionary wives when they have babies, and there are 9 (count ’em!!) missionaries having babies very soon. Whew – I’d better get busy!! Thank you for sharing this.
First of all, that’s WAY cool that I was in one of those emails haha! Second, I’m so glad I could help! It really is such an easy tutorial. I actually just got all of the burp rags that I made for my first son out for the baby we are about to have, and they are still in great shape! Happy sewing!
Love these! Just wondering if the minky fabric you used is sort of like a sherpa texture or chenille? There are so many minky, cuddle, etc, out there and I’m thinking some are more absorbent than others.
It’s a fluffy one. Not sure if that helps, but I’m not sure all the differences in minky fabrics. I think it’s more of a cuddle fabric?
looking for your bib pattern…Each time I click on the picture it brings me back to your burb cloths (which I love)
Can you provide a link for the bibs? Thanks!
Dorinda
Oh my goodness! You’re right! I’m sorry about that! I have fixed the link for that, but I’ll give you the direct link here too: http://www.lifewithmylittles.com/2015/07/best-and-easiest-bibs/ Good luck!
I made a total of 10 of these and they are adorable!! I wasn’t counting on getting two from each piece of fabric. I’m gonna be a new grandma in April and was looking for an easy project. I’m already making blankets and some other things. These will be SO useful for the new mommy. I also ironed the dot fabric. I thought that the dots would pop back after washing? Anyone else do this?
I have never ironed it so I’m not sure. Minky doesn’t typically need ironing. But I’m glad the burp rags came out well for you!
Pinning this and SO going to make these!
I just finished some crib sheets; these will be a great second project!
Now I’m going to dig through your blog to see what other creative things you’ve got going on…
Thanks, Bethany! I hope you find some more stuff you like!!
These are great, going to make them and the bib you posted for a baby shower – how crucial is it that the fabric and minky are pre-washed??
If you don’t prewash them they will probably shrink in the wash and they might not lay as flat or as straight. I would prewash them!
Where did you get your mommy fabric?
I think you mean minky? I got it from Jo-Ann.
Hello,
Thanks for your posts. Great detail! I’m looking to make the bibs & burb cloths.
One question – I’m having trouble finding the minky fabric. I looked at Joann’s (online) and they have a “soft and fluffy” that reviewers seem to be using for baby blankets. Also, they only have the dot version, not the squares that you used. It just looks different, and I’m not sure if that would be absorbent enough.
I did another general google search for minky fabrics and found others that were polyester, which I wouldn’t think would be absorbent at all.
Any tips for me? I’m not an experienced sewer so I don’t want to botch up a simple project.
Thanks so much!
-Lisa
P.S. here’s the Joann link I found:
http://www.joann.com/soft-n-comfy-dot-fabric/prd33722.html#q=minky&prefn1=collection&prefn2=gender&prefv3=Product&prefv4=Whites&prefv1=Soft%20n%20Comfy%7CSoft%20&%20Comfy=&prefv2=Neutral%7CBoy&prefn3=prod_type&prefn4=refinementColor&start=1
Don’t use this 🙂
I would go into the store and look. Definitely don’t use the dot version, that’s NOT absorbent! It will roll right off! The soft and fluffy is the kind you want.
What is minky fabric
It’s like the soft n fluffy fabric you can get at Joann. If you ask any employee at a fabric store they’ll help you find some!
Absolutely love the fun fabrics you use!
Thanks, Kelly! It’s the Michael Miller Glitz collection!
I was wondering how many burp rags you get out of the 1/3 yard of fabric?
It depends on how wide your minky is. You need rectangles that are 10×18″ long, and if you get 1/3 yard, that is 12″. So if your minky is 45″ wide, you can make two burp rags with it (and have 9″ left at the end).
Great post!
Thanks!
love your blog.
Thanks, Sara!
I’m a first time mom in a few months, and a first time sewer. These have been on my mind since I found your blog a few days ago! I’m really excited to try these out for my son. How many do you suggest I make?
I made about 10 for my first baby. He spit up a pretty average amount, so it was nice to have at least one a day until I did the laundry! It just depends on your baby!
Joann discontinued the soft n fluffy line of fabrics. Wondering what other types from joann that people have used that are soft AND absorbent?
Really?! Oh no! I bet you could find some online somewhere.
This looks easy! I don’t sew, but wanted to make my own burp rags. I think I could figure this one out!
Yes, this is the tutorial for you!!
Thanks for sharing! How long does it take to make each one?
It really only takes a few minutes! If you do it assembly line style and cut everything out, then sew, it doesn’t take too long! And it’s simple, straight sewing so it’s not hard, either!
First off I love the burp rags! Very easy directions to follow and easy to make. My on only question is how do you keep the minky from shifting while sewing? I know that pinning is very important but I still have shifting no matter how many pins I put in and I aslo sew with it on the bottom.
Thank you,
Heather S.
Thanks, Heather! I haven’t ever really had a problem with it sliding around since they are pretty small, but if it bothers you, you can try using some interfacing on the back of the minky and then sewing it together!
Have you ever made/used the burp rags that curve in in the middle? like an hour glass? I guess it’s for your shoulder so it doesn’t extend out so much. Do you prefer the rectangular shape better?
Thank you
I haven’t ever used the curved ones, but I love these rectangular ones! More coverage!