How about a few gifts for a new baby.
I may have mentioned that a new baby is about to be born into our family. Since I won’t be there when the new baby arrives, I thought I’d put together a few burp cloths. These burp cloths are easy to make and don’t require expensive equipment. Best of all they are much appreciated by new moms.
You may remember my post about cutting fabric with a Silhouette. I used my Silhouette {but all of this can be done by hand} to cut out letters to make personalized burp cloths for a friends’ new baby
For this project I am making burp cloths that are not really personalized, but still fun and cute. Think ultra-practical. My daughter is very practical and would appreciate practical burp cloths. Fortunately, practical doesn’t mean plain.
The best part, you don’t have to have a lot of fancy equipment to make these. I used my Silhouette to cut most of the fabric, but hand cutting works too.
These designs are layered and have a little more dimension. I used the thicker diapers and once washed they will be puffy and cute. All of the designs came from the Silhouette store, but something similar could easily be hand drawn.
I turned taller designs vertically. This is fun with simple shapes like a giraffe. If the design had lots of curves and corners it would not be so easy.
A shout-out to the new Mom and a nod to the Dad are easy designs. I used a font call Snott. It’s cute for a baby and easy to applique. Too many curly-cues can be an applique nightmare. I stick with simple fonts for applique.
I thought about doing a straight stitch for my applique, but was reminded about all of those fuzzy threads. I’ll save that idea for another project. Instead, I opted for my machine’s default zigzag stitch. I also have this special foot {which will be given it’s own post soon} that is designed specifically for applique.
These burp cloths took very little time to make. I had the diapers, I had the fabric, and I had the fusible web. In no time at all I had mailed a nice gift that I know will be used and appreciated.
If you want to further develop your appliqué skills, check out my eBook:
Applique Made Easy: A Beginner’s Guide to Simple Appliqué Techniques
Below is a short applique video to help you better understand.
Roxanne says
August 16, 2013 at 3:45 amI really love the posts about the silhouette. I just got mine and am not so intimidated by it after reading your blog. Thank you so much!!
Leslie says
August 16, 2013 at 3:26 pmI stared at mine for weeks. I wouldn’t call myself proficient ~ but it sure helps with cutting projects.
Marianne says
August 16, 2013 at 7:36 amThese are so cute. What a wonderful gift. As a new mommie when your wardrobe now includes a diaper – or spit-up – on your shoulder how special to have one of these cute cute burp cloths. I am sure the recipients are very happy to “sport” these.
Sandy says
August 16, 2013 at 9:10 amLove these, and I love the animals you found on Silhouette. I will have to go and find those! Now that I have jumped in and started using my Cameo, I am IN LOVE!!! How did I ever live without it??? LOL
Leslie says
August 16, 2013 at 3:25 pmI know! I feel the same way.
Patricia says
August 16, 2013 at 5:55 pmHi,
Super pictures. Can I ask the best material for the burp cloths please? (I live in UK).
I love all your blogs.
Danielle @ stickelberry says
August 17, 2013 at 4:56 pmAdorable! Really makes me want to get a silhouette – I don’t have the patience for all that hand cutting!! 🙂
Leslie says
August 17, 2013 at 7:47 pmNeither do I ~ that’s why I bought a Silhouette. Totally worth it.
T'onna says
August 18, 2013 at 8:31 pmCute gifts! I love the bird and elephant!
Navy Wifey Peters
Shelly- minettesmaze.blogspot.com/ says
August 19, 2013 at 2:26 pmThese are too stinkin adorable!! Pin-worthy!! Love them! Thanks for sharing on DIY Sunday Showcase!
Shelly @MinettesMaze
Scarlett says
August 19, 2013 at 7:32 pmThese are adorable! I wish I had these burp cloths…though I probably would have thought they were too cute to use! What a great gift!
Leslie says
August 19, 2013 at 10:32 pmThanks for the compliment. They also are very practical and hold up well.
Nellie says
August 21, 2013 at 9:53 pmThese burp clothes are simply adorable. What a cute idea.
Blessings, nellie
Miranda @ Someday Crafts says
August 21, 2013 at 11:28 pmThese are SUPER adorable! They are definitely going on my to-make list for our next baby and an upcoming baby shower! We’ll be featuring these over at Someday Crafts tomorrow 🙂
Paula Parrish says
August 22, 2013 at 4:57 amI love to sewing handmade baby gifts to keep on hand. Thanks for sharing your tip of using the Silhouette to cut the designs and lettering. Nice Work! So Cute!
Leslie says
August 22, 2013 at 6:49 amKeeping baby gifts on hand ~ what a great idea.
Jennifer S. says
August 22, 2013 at 1:24 pmI can’t wait to hear about this special applique foot. I had no idea one existed. I might have to invest in one!
Leslie says
August 22, 2013 at 8:22 pmThe applique foot will be my next foot featured…
Elise says
August 22, 2013 at 5:20 pmSo cute! I’m really loving the bird!
Becca says
August 23, 2013 at 12:37 pmSo cute! I love the little elephant and giraffe! Thanks for sharing!
Sinea Pies says
August 27, 2013 at 7:33 pmLove these baby gifts!
Thanks so much for sharing your post on Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop….this week your post is one of our blog hop features! It’s live now. Stop by?
Meegan says
August 28, 2013 at 11:26 amTheses are really adorable and look very professional. So sweet. Thanks for linking up with Tickled Pink Times Two. I can’t wait to see even more of your creativity.
Make it a great day!
Gwenda says
April 14, 2014 at 10:06 amI am wondering what the back looks like? Did you use white thread in your bobbin? Those stitches do show on the back, right?
Leslie says
April 14, 2014 at 4:54 pmI usually use white thread on the back. It raises the design and has a nice quilty look when it’s washed and dried.
Krystal says
October 10, 2015 at 4:49 amHow cute is that elephant?! Thanks for the ideas. We will be welcoming a new niece or nephew into the world next month. Think I’ll give this a shot 🙂
Susan says
May 4, 2016 at 8:58 amHi Leslie…great idea and I do love to appliqué. Just want to confirm that you do not prewash and dry these diapers before you start to appliqué. Thanks.
Leslie says
May 4, 2016 at 10:08 amThat is correct. If you wash them they become misshapen and difficult to work with.
Emily Stone says
September 2, 2016 at 5:48 amThese are adorable, I love the giraffe. Handmade baby gifts are definitely the sweetest.