A burp cloth is simply a piece of fabric placed under a baby’s head while burping. Babies commonly spit-up milk when being burped. Burp cloths prevent the need to change and possible staining of parent’s clothing.http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=1648290They can also however be used to clean up any little messes a baby makes sort of like a baby hand towel. Burp cloths are also sometimes called burp rags.

Burp cloths generally work better if they are made of thick of absorbent material to prevent spit-up from simply soaking through. Many modern burp cloths also have a bit of extra padding at one end to act almost like a pillow for the baby.http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-burp-cloths.htm

Though burp cloths are inexpensive when purchased, ranging around ten to twenty dollars a three pack, they are also very simple to make. Due to their size they also make a great left-over fabric project to prevent waste or can even be made from recycled clothing and cloth items. Making your own burp cloths also allows for a personal touch in your baby’s gear or gift.

This simple step by step guide on how to make burp cloths will cover one simple method to making burp cloths as well as some ideas for decoration to get you started

You can make a burp cloth out of just about anything, however absorbent materials work best. Some materials may allow spit-up to roll off the fabric and eliminate the purpose of the rag. In this guide, we will use a common fabric choice, cloth diapers. Cloth diapers are absorbent, about the right size and are already safe for the sensitive skin of infants. The ply of the diaper you choose is not relevant, though three ply is an excellent choice.http://www.makeandtakes.com/baby-burp-cloth-tutorial

If you are feeling lazy, you can actually use cloth diapers as burp rags straight from the package. If you would like to spruce them up a bit you will need two pieces of scrap fabric two inches longer than the diaper and two inches wider than the center fold of the diaper, pins, scissors, an iron or stream press, matching thread and a sewing machine.http://chickpeastudio.typepad.com/chickpea_sewing_studio/diaper-burp-cloth-tutoria.html For designs that are more decorative more materials may be needed. This will be covered in step three of this how to guide. A basic version will be covered step by step as well as one simple common decorative addition in the guide.

To make your burp cloth:

1. You’ll want to begin by washing and drying your cloth diapers to be sure they are not only clean but have shrunk as much as they will.
2. Next lay out the strips of fabric cut to the size listed above. Fold the short sides under about ¼ of an inch smaller than the diaper itself and stream press or iron in place. Repeat this same process on the long sides.
3. Pin the pieces of cloth on to the diaper vertical so that they span the entire cloth diaper.
4. Sew into place. You can even use a decorative stitch such as zig-zag for added decoration.
5. Repeat on opposite side. http://chickpeastudio.typepad.com/chickpea_sewing_studio/diaper-burp-cloth-tutoria.html

A common decorative extra: Ribbon or Quit Binding Edging

To add some decorative ribbon work you will need ribbon, scissors, thread of the same color, quilting binding and a sewing machine.

For ribbon edging on the fabric strip added above.

1. Cut four lengths of ribbon the length of the cloth.
2. Sew on to edge of fabric.

For quilt binding edging (best used on the ends of the cloth)

1. Cut Two lengths of quilt binding the length of the short side of the cloth.
2. Fold it over the edge of the cloth and sew into place.http://www.makeandtakes.com/baby-burp-cloth-tutorial

Most decorations for burp cloths are as easy as those above, little more than cutting and a bit of sewing. You can decorate burp cloths just about any way you want.

Here are few ideas. You can see full guides for these addition at the source to this section.

1. Cloth could be applied to only one edge using a thick ribbon border.
2. Fringe could be placed on either end.
3. You can use decorative stitching or even use thread of a different color than your fabric such as yellow stitching on red fabrics, etc.
4. You could embroider the child’s name or place a cloth version of the first letter of their name on the cloth.
5. In sewing supply stores you can find wonderful iron on decorations for easy additions.http://www.jcarolinecreative.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=JC&Screen=BURPCLOTH

Try to be creative and have fun. If you had fun making it, the baby will enjoy using it. Remember that any decorations on the cloth should be soft and securely attached so that the baby cannot pull them away. Hard decorations make the cloth uncomfortable for the baby and dangling, possibly detachable decorations, such as beads, are a choking hazard.