Burp Cloth Pattern – Free Printable Pattern 3 Styles
Welcome to my easy burp cloth pattern! Burp cloths are one of the quickest and most useful baby sewing projects, making them perfect for beginners, baby shower gifts, and using up fabric scraps. This free burp cloth sewing pattern includes 3 printable shapes that are soft, absorbent, and simple to sew in under 30 minutes. Making your own set of burp cloths is a rewarding and cost-effective way to add to your baby’s essentials and makes a thoughtful handmade gift for new parents.
Burp Cloth Pattern Tutorial
Burp cloths or burb rags can be recycled as face cloths or useful baby wipes at the high chair ‘I can feed myself stage’. Making your own set of burp cloths is a rewarding and cost-effective way to add to your baby’s wardrobe and makes quick and easy gifts for baby showers. You can find more simple and stylish patterns in our girls sewing pattern collection.
Here is the burp cloth pattern instructions in brief. Keep reading for the full instructions with illustrations.
- Cut one piece of fabric and one piece of towelling
- Put the fabrics right sides together and sew around the edge leaving a gap.
- Clip and turn right side out through the gap.
- Topstitch and give a final press.
This burp cloth pattern has 3 shapes to suit everyone, and they are all equally easy to sew. The shapes are:
- The Rectangle
- Two Sided Contoured
- One Sided Contoured
Supplies for a Burp Cloth Pattern
- Cotton fabric for top
- Towel or terry cloth for the bottom
- Sewing supplies – Sewing machine, pins, needle, thread
- Cutting supplies – Scissors or rotary cutter and cutting mat.
Burp Clothes need to be absorbent and soft on the baby’s face. Use a 100% cotton quilting fabric on the top and toweling on the bottom. You can save money and buy a cheap towel or hand cloth for the underside. Flannel can be easy for beginners to sew and is also nice for the underside. A fat quarter of fabric and toweling is enough to make a couple of burp cloths.
Download the Burp Cloth Pattern
Choose the option that suits you best.
🎁 FREE
- Printable template with 3 burp cloth shapes
- Follow the free step-by-step tutorial below
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- Multiple sizes (Newborn, Standard & Luxury)
- Printable PDF instructions
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Make sure you check the 2-inch test square and print at 100% scale for a full-sized burp cloth. I also made some cute mini burp cloths for a friend’s baby by printing at an 80% scale. If you are new to printing, read my article on how to print PDF patterns. Trim the edges of the boxes and stick the pages together like this.
Burp Cloth Measurements
If you are just planning on sewing the rectangle shape and don’t feel like printing, the rectangle burp rag pattern is 21 x 9 inches (53×23 cm) in size. You can draw the curved versions freehand in a similar size. Cut one piece from cotton fabric and one from toweling. In the premium pattern, there are multiple sizes including newborn/small, standard and luxury.
The free pattern includes the standard burp cloth size. If you’d like more flexibility, the premium pattern also includes Newborn/Small, Standard, and Luxury sizes, making it easy to sew burp cloths for babies of different ages or create coordinated handmade baby gifts.
Which Burp Cloth Shape Should I Choose?
- Rectangle – Quickest to sew and great for everyday use.
- Two-Sided Contoured – Sits comfortably over the shoulder and offers excellent coverage.
- One-Sided Contoured – A modern shape that fits neatly around the neck.
How to Sew a Burp Cloth (Step by Step)
Burp Cloth Video Tutorial
Here are the instructions for sewing your burp cloths. Even beginners can do this. It is so easy!
Step 1 – Stitch Around Edge
Cut the fabric pieces. Put your fabric and toweling with RIGHT sides together and straight stitch all the way around with a 3/8 inch seam allowance (1cm). Leave a 2-inch gap (5cm) on one side, as shown. For the one-sided contoured burp cloth, leave the gap on the straighter side.
Step 2 – Clip the Edges
Clip around the corners and curves.
Step 3 – Turn and Topstitch
Turn the burp cloth to the RIGHT side through the gap. Give it a good press making sure any curves or corners are poked out well. The seam allowance at the gap will be pressed to the inside. Topstitch around the edge to close the gap and give it a final press.
Burp Cloth Pattern FAQs
100% quilting cotton paired with cotton toweling or flannel creates a soft, absorbent burp cloth that washes well and is gentle against baby’s skin.
Most fat quarters will make two standard burp cloths depending on the shape you choose.
Yes. This is one of the easiest baby sewing projects and only uses basic straight stitching.
Burp Cloth Pattern – In Conclusion
Now you know how to sew a burp cloth using this easy free pattern. These soft, absorbent burp cloths are quick to make, practical for everyday use, and always appreciated as handmade baby shower gifts. If you’d like even more options, the premium burp cloth pattern includes three sizes (Newborn, Standard, and Luxury) along with printable instructions and bonus gift labels. They’re perfect for creating a coordinated handmade baby gift set.
Looking for more easy baby sewing projects? Try my baby blanket, bib, and other beginner-friendly sewing tutorials below.
- Easy Sewing Projects for Beginners
- How to Make a Baby Blanket
- Baby Skirt Patterns
- How to Make a Baby Quilt
Burp Cloth Pattern
Difficulty
Tools
- Printable Pattern
- Sewing Basics Sewing machine, pins, thread
Materials
- Cotton Fabric
- Towelling Fabric
Instructions
- Cut one front and one back from the burp cloth pattern. Put them right sides together and stitch around the outside leaving a gap.
- Clip around any corners or curves.
- Turn the right way out. Press and Topstitch.
- Make a few in different colors for gifts.
Author - Luisa Clare
Luisa Clare is the founder of Treasurie, a sewing and crochet education platform offering step-by-step tutorials and printable patterns. With over 15 years of experience in dressmaking, pattern design, crochet, and craft education, she specialises in teaching beginners through clear, easy-to-follow lessons. Her tutorials and patterns are used by home sewists and crocheters worldwide to build practical skills and confidence. Learn more about Luisa and Treasurie.
I would leave it in one piece, as it will look better.
I have some adorable custom cotton fabric that is directional. Would it be suggestible to seam it in the middle so that the back is not upside down? Or better to leave in one piece so that it would work at least on one side whether you use right or left shoulder?
Anyone use directional fabric?
I have always used a self made pattern that barely worked! Thanks so much for sharing your talent!
I am looking forward to continue teaching my granddaughter to sew with this fun project…she is getting a new brother in a few months!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Rick, using cotton on top is purely so you can use an attractive patterned fabric. It can be replaced with flannel or any other fabric if you prefer. Use the most absorbent fabric on the bottom. Cutting up a hand towel is an inexpensive way to get an absorbent fabric. If you use cotton on top and towel on the bottom it will go through your sewing machine more easily as well.
I want to clarify some steps.
I just started sewing with a machine last February (2023), with pillowcases as my first and ongoing project.
I started learning about and making different styles of burp cloths last summer for relatives.
I ass-u-me’d the absorbent fabric, towel/terry cloth or cotton chenille, would be on top where the baby’s head will be to catch the spit up.
I have been telling people that this fabric is to be on top, as any of that would be more absorbent.
When listing the fabric, you mention the “Cotton fabric for top,” and the “Towel or terry cloth for the bottom.”
Is this correct?
I have alternated between using cotton flannel and regular cotton fabric for the opposite side.
I’ve understood that flannel is absorbent, though not as much as terry cloth or chenille, and has a few minor downsides.
I understand that the regular cotton fabric is even less absorbent, and can be messy.
My idea for using the flannel or regular cotton fabric on the opposite side from the terry cloth or chenille is because they have more design options to make the burp cloth more appealing to look at.
I appreciate any suggestions, as well.
Thank
Thanks so much for the pattern! I have made a ton of these for gifts! I went to make some for twins and low and behold…I can’t find the pattern. You are such a blessing to provide 2 differnet ones. Thanks again!
How do I even get the pattern? I keep clicking on stuff, but there are just so many ads for a pdf viewer, etc. I can’t find the actual file to download?
Thank you so much!
These are so wonderful! I made four for a baby shower and they turned out perfectly! Super easy directions to follow and a great suggestion on using a towel and cutting that up for the backing.
There is a printable pattern for all of them.
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You gaves us shapes but what is the measurements of each expecially the bean shape ones
It definitely prints on A4. If your test square is out it will be the printer settings. Check it is at 100% scale. Sometimes the wording is different – scale none, scale original. Make sure there is no tick in the box “fit to paper” as that can make it smaller. If you still have a problem, email me with a screenshot of your printer settings. Thanks
I love these thank you so much for sharing!
What size paper are you printing them on? I am in Australia and have tried printing on both A4 (21.00cm x 29.70cm) and Letter (21.59cm x 27.94cm) and neither of those sizes did the 2″ test square come out 2″.
Thank you 🙂
This pattern was very easy and they are adorable. Thank you for sharing
super tutorial. Nice and simple. Have already made a stack!
Thanks so much for the instructional video and pattern! I just whipped out five of these in terry cloth/flannel for a gift and am working on the sixth. I am a beginner sewer.
Thank you for this pattern. Going to buy material today and have a go at making them.
Hi Monica, yes they are all about the same size. You can always use the pattern to make a bigger or smaller one.
Boa tarde,
Todos são 53×23 cm, só muda o modelo???
Obrigada!
I downloaded the pattern for the burp clothes last night. This morning I went to my craft room and started working on them. 2 hours later I had 7 done and ready for a baby shower I am doing for my great niece, Ashley. So easy and cute thank-you very much. I’m going to make more for future Baby Showers…….
Cute & simple! Thanks for the great pattern. Can’t wait to get started.
I am so excited to start making some. Thanks for the pattern.
Love the burp cloth pattern