Manners Baby Burp Cloth Tutorial

With Baby number two on the way I thought it was time to start getting a few things organised.  I am very blessed to be having another little girl so we have the clothes sorted but many of the burp cloths and bibs have seen better days so late one night (unable to sleep) I came up with the 'manners burp cloth' idea and the lovely Jessica at Me Sew Crazy kindly allowed me to blog sit and share the tutorial with her readers and now I bring it to you here at Clare's Place. 

Burp cloths are essential for new babies and this applique design makes for a unique handmade baby gift.  So with out further ado I give you my version of a baby burp cloth...

DOWNLOAD BABY BURP CLOTH TEMPLATES HERE

Before you begin:

• Please be sure to read instructions all the way through before commencing project.
• All seam allowances are included in measurements and are ¼ inch unless otherwise stated.
• This pattern is intended for personal use only. Please respect my work and do not reproduce this pattern or any part thereof for any purpose.

Materials:

• 8” X 18“ towelling fleese or other soft absorbent fabric,
• 8“ x 18” Cotton fabric for burp cloth,
• Scraps of cotton fabric for applique letters,
• Fusable webbing (or heavy duty heat and bond – you may not need to stitch around your letters if using heavy duty heat and bond),
• Sewing machine,
• Pins,
• Co-ordinating thread,
• Cutting ruler,
• Fabric scissors,
• Pencil,
• Air dry or water erasable marker,
• Rotary cutter,
• Cutting mat.

Instructions:

• Fold your cotton fabric in half – right sides together. Place template on folded fabric, lining up the fold.
• Trace around template and cut along traced line (I used a rotary cutter and ruler along the straight lines to achieve a more accurate cut and used scissors on the curves.).
• Repeat for towelling.

Appliqué:

• Trace your required appliqué letters onto the paper side of fusible webbing / heat and bond 
• Cut around outside of traced designs being sure not to cut directly on line.
• Press onto wrong side of chosen fabric, paper side facing up.
• Cut out appliqué pieces along the traced lines.
• Peel backing paper off. Position onto the right side of the cotton burp coth 1” from edges as desired, Press into position.
• Freehand Machine stitch around the edge of the letters using a straight stitch 2-3 times, varying the position you stitch each time. Alternatively you can Blanket stitch around the designs either by hand or machine in a coordinating thread to your fabric (I have found the heavy duty heat and bond does not reqire any stitching and doing so may blunt or break your needle).

• Pin the two rectangles together right sides facing.
• Sew your pieces together using a ¼” seam. Be sure to leave a 3” gap at one end to turn your cloth the correct way.

• Clip the corners being sure not to cut your stitching. 
• Turn the right way out and press (cotton side not to towelling side).
• Close the opening by tucking the fabric inside the burp cloth and pin.

• Topstitch 1/8” from the edge around the perimeter of the burp cloth. Trim any stray threads.

I hope you enjoy the burp cloth tutorial as much as I enjoyed making it.  I know that the 'manners' burp cloth concept has proven quite popular and has been featured on Tot Craft and Craft Gossip also, so I hope you like it too!  If you use this pattern I would love to see photos of your work!  Now over to you to sew up a storm ;)