36 Weeks (8 Months) - Can you believe it?!!!
No, magical burp cloths don’t keep your baby from drooling and spitting up but from what I hear, burp cloths made from cloth diapers are the next best thing since sliced bread. They rate second only to the Bumbo – in which I have received an energetic and heartfelt testimonial each time a mother (or more often, a grandmother) mentions this amazing chair for 3-month-olds to me (the more I read about the Bumbo the more I think that you have to be really careful with these, though – not for every baby and you have to watch them carefully that they don’t arch out of them. I am not advocating the Bumbo, just saying that lots of moms are telling me how great it is – totally depends on the baby).
I received a package of these magical cloth diapers at a baby shower, specifically for the purpose of using them as super-absorbent burp cloths. However, since I do know how to sew – even though I have given up on my quilting projects since I started my scrapbook and design business – I decided to embellish them for Cole (but let’s face it – the cute factor is all for me since he won’t care one way or the other what they look like). In the process, I made a girl-batch for my sister-in-law Crystal, who is having her fourth baby at the end of April.
They are easy to do if you have a sewing machine – even you novice seamstresses can whip these up in no time. I am sure that many of you have seen these before and possibly made them in the past. For those of you who want more info, here are instructions of how I created them. Try it. Make them for yourself or a lucky new mother-to-be in your life. They are a piece of cake.
WHAT YOU NEED
- flat, pre-folded cloth diapers (I found mine at Target)
- non-wired, satin or grosgrain ribbon (I like it to be 3/4″ – 1″ wide) – you’ll need 2 lengths per diaper
- sewing machine
- You can either wash the diapers before you sew the ribbon or after. If you wash them after the ribbon is stitched then the ribbon will pucker a little and create a little gathered look. If you wash them before, the ribbon will be more smooth. Both ways are cute so you get to decide what you like best. You will need less ribbon if you stitch it after the diaper has been washed and shrunk.
- After trying a couple, I decided I liked two ribbon strips going down the length of the diaper. You can sew the ribbon to the edges, along the short or long sides, whatever.
- Fold over the end of your ribbon about 1/4″ and line it up with the diaper edge. Pin in place if necessary.
- Sew along one edge of the ribbon – all the way down the length of the diaper until you get about 2″ from the bottom.
- Trim the ribbon at the bottom so that you have enough to fold about 1/4″ up under the ribbon then continue stitching. Trim threads at the beginning and end.
- Repeat the stitching line along the other edge of the ribbon.
- Add another ribbon symmetrical to the first along the other side of the diaper to create two ribbon rows.
That’s all there is to it! If you chose to wash the diaper after you attached the ribbon then do that now and you will love the gathered effect it takes on. Trust me, once you have created one you will be able to cruise through a whole batch.
These make fabulous baby gifts – they are personal but practical and actually easy to create. I now have a stash of diapers and ribbon on hand just for this purpose because they are so simple to put together but are raved about by anyone who uses them.
Happy Stitching!
Hi Kolette,
Just a word of warning, from one mom to another, those Bumbo seats have a recall on them. I know this may sound a little nutty, but I think people were putting their babies in them on high surfaces (couches, tables etc) and some babies fell out. Before the recall I did use one for a while, but only on the floor. My little guy never liked it, he really preferred being in a bouncy seat.
Rebecca
I heard that – I also saw one little baby using one and she started arching her back so her mom took her out. It totally depends on the baby and you definitely still have to watch them carefully because they can be tricky for some kids.
Hi Kolette!
I work as a pediatric physical therapist, and have a lot of families that I work with that use the Bumbo. It is a great little seat – and especially nice because it is light and portable. It was recalled a while back due to parents placing them on tables (or other high furniture) and the baby arching out the back or sides, then falling. They now make a removable tray that keeps them from arching out – plus, it is never smart to put them up high and not be right there watching! I think you can purchase the tray at Target or other baby stores.
Good luck to you and Jason both as you get closer to meeting your new little boy! You are getting ready to enter such a magical, awe-inspiring, tiring, emotionally draining . . . my list could keep going . . . time! My advice to you is to enjoy every moment and don’t forget to take some time out for yourself every once in a while!
Jeannine B.
Good to know! I am hanging on to mine and we’ll see how Cole likes it – I’ll report back in about 4 months!
Hmmmm–is it my imagination or has that baby dropped? You look like you are carrying lower. Getting closer to the big day!
Linda
Your burp cloths turned out great! And in case you want to get more fancy with them you could try this: http://chickpeastudio.typepad.com/chickpea_sewing_studio/diaper-burp-cloth-tutoria.html. I have a Bumbo and love it, but like the others said they’re not made for high surfaces.
Hey, Kolette. I just wanted to let you know that I follow yours and Jason’s blogs and really enjoy them. I am so excited for you and find so much inspiration in the things you guys share! Good luck and congrats on your new family member coming soon. I’m excited to hear of his safe arrival! Love, J
LOVE the burpcloths. I’m trying to think of someone I know that needs them or WILL need them. I wanna make them!!! Very cute!
you burp clothes turned out geat. so, talented.
That is truly going to be one lucky/miracle baby!
YIPPEE!!!
Us women at the CE yahoo board are getting rather excited to see this little guy.
can anyone still send gifts, cards or $$ to you both some how?
Do you have a addy or p.o box?
thanks!
Love the burp clothes. Our son is almost 5 months old. I might have to add the ribbon to his!
Congrats on the pregnancy. I understand the feeling of miracles. We tried IVF 3 times and gave up last November. Only to find out MLK week-end last year we were pregnant.
One thing my friend did to track her children’s first year was a week by week album. I’ve been doing it and love it already. Simple shots of our son each week. Wow what a difference.
Best of luck!
Both of my boys (2 and almost 5 months) used the Bumbo for about 2 times. Their legs were too big quickly but they just look uncomfortable squashed into that little chair.
Love, love, love the burp cloths! A friend made some for us and they are fantastic! I might have to add some of my ribbon stash to some for my baby too. Thanks for sharing!
I was just thinking it looks like that baby has dropped too! You look AMAZING! And, so HAPPY! It is a joy to see the picks.
When my Chip (now 21) was a born, we were given a baby bean bag. He loved laying in it. We loved that it supported and cradled him, and allowed him to lie or sit up a bit. We also loved the flexibility that helped to support our arms for feeding (there were no nursing pillows back then).
By the time Thomas was born nearly two years later, they had been taken off the market as unsafe. Left unattended and sleeping, they posed a risk of smothering. I ended up making one for him.
As they outgrew the bean bags, Chip loved the Johnny Jumper, but hated the swing. Thomas was just the opposite. Still is, lol.
You are wise to know the risks, and know that most of these products depend entirely on the baby.
Trust your judgment, sweetie. It will serve you well.
Very cute burp cloths Kolette! When my daughter was born a friend of mine gave me the most beautiful flannel ones that she had made especially to fit my shoulder, I loved them but they were very girly so when the boys came along I ended up using recieving blankets instead. I actually found that the bigger size worked perfectly because one of them was a real spitter!