Baby Burpies

I started making these when I was pregnant with my son.

I am now making them all the time for baby gifts.

They are really cute, inexpensive to make, and very useful!

I buy the Gerber cloth diapers. The pre-fold 3-ply.

(I have a pack of 12. It cost about $10.00)

Always wash them before you start sewing.

They shrink A LOT in the first wash.

I fold the diapers in thirds. (This is a new step for me. In the past I just put a strip of flannel or ribbon on these open. I am liking these folded ones better these days, though.)

Then, I cut a piece of flannel about 4-5 inches wide and about 2 inches longer than the diaper.

I fold over the two long edges and iron flat. Ironing makes the sewing much easier!

After ironing the edges, I place the flannel centered onto the diaper on the side with the folds.

I fold down the top (short) end and sew around the big flannel rectangle. I follow a pre-determined line. Sometimes there is a stitch line showing from the diaper. If not, I can pin the flannel onto the diaper straight and centered and trust my pins.

Also, when I sew the burpies, I like to use a coordinating colored fabrics and thread.

I make my burpies in a set of three. Usually, a solid, a print and a stripe.

This set has a navy blue solid in it, so I used a lime green thread for contrast.

Sometimes I use a straight stitch, but I really like the way the zigzag looks!

This set of burpies was my first with an applique.

I cut a square out of double sided fusible interfacing. Following the instructions, I heat set the interfacing to the back of my striped fabric.

Then, I drew a simple car shape. (You can do this!!! I am not an artist at all!)

I cut out the shape, removed the paper backing and then heat pressed the car to the solid colored burpie. I then sewed around the car to secure it.

**The best way to do an applique would be to put it onto the flannel panel you wish for it to be on before sewing that panel to the diaper. With this set, I didn't do that! The applique was an afterthought. So, I had the shape of the car stitched all the way through the flannel AND the diaper. Had I sewn on the applique before putting the flannel onto the diaper, you wouldn't have seen my stitches on the diaper at all.**

Here are my three finished burpies!

I rolled them up and tied them together with ribbon for a finishing touch.