This is the easiest tutorial for a burp rag you could make! Only three steps, and they are the best DIY burp rags!! Great for easy baby gifts, too.
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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!
Note: I used the first set of burp rags I made with my second son four years later, and they still held up great!
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’re not scared of this sewing, let’s dive right in!
The Best (and Easiest) Burp Rags You Will Ever Sew
This is the easiest tutorial for a burp rag you could make! Only three steps, and they are the best DIY burp rags!! Great for easy baby gifts, and they last through multiple babies!
Materials
- 1/3 yard minky fabric, prewashed
- 1/3 yard patterned fabric, prewashed
- thread to match
Tools
- Cutting Mat
- Rotary Cutter
- Ruler
- Sewing Machine
Instructions
- Cut a rectangle 10×18″ out of both the minky fabric and the patterned fabric. I used my cutting mat and rotary cutter and it made it so easy.
- 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.
- Flip the burp rag right-side out, and topstitch all the way around, including on the opening to close it.
- Just kidding, there isn’t a step four. You are done! I told you that was insanely easy! And they work so well.
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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!
This post was originally published on September 4th, 2014.
Sara Sam says
Great post!
Thanks!
love your blog.
Chelsea Johnson says
Thanks, Sara!
Lindsay says
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?
Chelsea Johnson says
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!
Pam says
Joann discontinued the soft n fluffy line of fabrics. Wondering what other types from joann that people have used that are soft AND absorbent?
Chelsea Johnson says
Really?! Oh no! I bet you could find some online somewhere.
Vanessa says
This looks easy! I don’t sew, but wanted to make my own burp rags. I think I could figure this one out!
Chelsea Johnson says
Yes, this is the tutorial for you!!
Suzanne says
Thanks for sharing! How long does it take to make each one?
Chelsea Johnson says
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!
Heather S. says
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.
Chelsea Johnson says
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!
Vicki says
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
Chelsea Johnson says
I haven’t ever used the curved ones, but I love these rectangular ones! More coverage!
barb nahlik says
I also make burp “cloths” but I use cute flannel prints. They look to be similar in size but I curve all the corners for faster sewing – no stops to turn at corners. I include “quilters fleece interfacing” which give more body. After basic sewing, I turn them, close the opening, and top stitch 1/2 inch or so from the edge and add a small bow. I give them to friends, friends of friends, and mostly to charity. Fun way for me to spend my retired time and give of myself. Barb
Chelsea Johnson says
It is a great way to serve others! Thanks for sharing, Barb!
Cindy says
These are great! They are my new thing to give at baby showers.
Chelsea Johnson says
Thanks, Cindy! I’m glad I could help!
Roelee says
I just did this today, my sister in law is having a baby and wanted to make her something and knitting a baby blanket takes forever, and I had plenty of material from other things I’ve been doing. These are amazing, I used terry cloth instead but I think I might use minky, I feel like that would have cut a lot easier than it was to do the terry cloth.
I haven’t sewn in years but these are the easiest thing ever, the only issue I had was my sewing machine being problematic, otherwise so awesome and easy and I want to make more even though I have no one to give it to.
Thank you so much for having this!
Chelsea Johnson says
You’re welcome! Congrats on your new little niece or nephew!! I’m glad I could help!
Michelle says
Your burp cloths look lovely and simple however I wonder why you need the cotton fabric and not just the Minky/towelling?
Chelsea Johnson says
I mean if you wanted you could do two layers of minky, but I like having the fun pattern on the other side!
trish cratsley says
Love these,made with the minky,and flannel-have made other kinds before , but love your pattern so much better
thank you
Chelsea Johnson says
Thank you, Trish! I appreciate that!!
Nick Favreau says
My wife’s gonna love these!
Thank you, Chelsea!
Chelsea Johnson says
You’re welcome!!
V says
Thank you so much for this pattern! I’m having my first and would love to make these. Silly question, but do you have the minky side up and patterned side down on your shoulder when using? Thank you!
– V
Chelsea Johnson says
Yup! Minky side up facing baby!
Joseph Donahue says
Good article and right to the point. I don’t know if this is really the best place to ask but do you folks have any thoughts on where to employ some professional writers? Thanks in advance