Fact: I don’t have kids but working in pediatrics has taught me a lot about baby vomit (especially on nights when I’m working in the NICU). Any parent can tell you that babies throw up a lot and if you aren’t prepared things can get a little messy. I have a really great friend who is expecting her first baby and this weekend was her baby shower. I wanted to make her something but I couldn’t decide, that is, until my latest unfortunate baby vom event , DIY burp cloths are now my go-to baby shower gift.
I’ve made them using my sewing machine before but since my sewing machine is waiting for a part (hurry up Amazon!), I tried making the burp cloths with my serger and I’m in LOVE. It’s so much easier this way. I’m not going to lie, the speed of the machine scares me to death but I’m slowly learning to control the speed. I accidently ruined some curtains when I was hemming them because the speed scared me…I should have practiced more on scraps but I digress.
Supplies Needed
3 ply prefold diapers
14″ L X 20″W fabric scraps. I used soft baby flannel
Serger Machine (I have this one)
Iron (if fabric and burp cloths are wrinkled)
Sewing pins
Fabric Scissors
Tutorial
Here is how it went down. I purchased a twelve pack of 3 ply prefold diapers from the Babies R Us brand. In my opinion they are much stronger and better quality than the ones you purchase from Gerber. No offense Gerber.
I measured the prefold and then cut the fabric to the same length. 14″L x 20″W. In sewing you need to allow 1/4″ seam allowance but for serging you don’t since some of the fabric is cut when it’s serged.
Before you serge the pieces together use an iron to knock out any wrinkles. This really helps the fabric lay flat when serging. Next, pin the two fabrics together (right side facing out on both).
Sew the pieces together using a straight line. The serger will cut some of the fabric off so you don’t have to worry about lining up the fabric perfectly.
To get perfectly pointed corners, let the serger run off the edge of the fabric and then start fresh on a new side.
Each time you finish a side you will have a tail of serged thread. I cut those but some people hide them by using a hand sewing needle and weaving them into the serged edge.
Here is the serged edge when it’s finished. When I looked closer at the burp cloths, I realized that the manufacturer serged those too. It really is the best way because a serge stitch uses four threads instead of two (sewing) which is why I will always serge burp cloths from now on.
What gifts have you made recently?
