sewing

The Best, Most Absorbent Burp Cloths Ever

I’m sure you’re here looking for the best, most absorbent burp cloths and what fabric to use in your burp cloths , and I am super excited that I can share that with you. 

If you’ve ever been holding a baby and experienced:

  • projectile vomit that comes from nowhere
  • regular spitting in large volumes that a regular burp cloth just can’t handle
  • the dreaded shoulder spit because your burp cloth doesn’t cover you or won’t stay where its supposed to
  • the slime effect--you know, when a burp cloth just smears the mess instead of cleaning it up

Then these burp cloths are for you. I’ve even made a free downloadable pattern for you below.

I’ve used a lot of burp cloths in my day…with four babies with reflux, I’ve gone through a ton of different types and designs. So I feel pretty qualified to tell you these are the best since my kids all needed serious help until they were 6-9 months old.

Most Absorbent Fabric For Burp Cloths

Projectile spit was a big part of my life for years, and I tested the limits of ALL the burp cloths I could get my hands on. These won hands down. They didn’t smear spit up on me or the baby, they absorb a LOT, they stay on your shoulder, and they look cute to boot.

And what is the secret to this amazing burp cloth? The kidney bean shape and the best fabric backing available.

So what is the best fabric for burp cloths?

Cotton chenille is the best fabric for absorbent burp cloths I’ve found, and combined with a terry cloth layer for absorbency is far superior to any other combination. The cotton chenille takes care of the moisture without leaving the “solids” on the surface so you get absorbency AND you aren’t left with slime that will get all over you and baby.

Here are my complaints about other burp cloths (i.e. the results of my extensive research).

Inferior Burp Cloth Fabric Choices: 

  • Flannel: Flannel does a pretty good job of absorbing, but is not so great at keeping the mess from smearing all over the place. Gross.
  • Terry Cloth: Great for absorbing liquids and pretty good at keeping smearing to a minimum. Overall, this is my second-choice material if I don’t have cotton chenille. But it’s kinda scratchy, which isn’t great for soft baby skin.
  • Cuddle Fabrics/Minky: Slime factor is pretty bad with these. They’re soft on baby’s face, but I don’t use it because I’ve been slimed too many times.
  • Cloth Diapers: The middle section is pretty good at keeping everything contained, but the outer sections can’t keep up.

The Other Shapes:

  • Hourglass: While the cutouts are great for putting on your shoulder, there’s one REALLY big problem–the cutout on the opposite side is exposing your shoulder to a spit shower.
  • Rectangle: This gets rid of the spit shower problem, but slides off your shoulder.

So let’s get down to it and make the best (and cutest) most absorbent burp cloths ever. 

Updated May 2019 to include more sources and free absorbent burp cloths pattern.

Most Absorbent Burp Cloth Supplies

  • Download the Burp Cloth Pattern (print and tape at the center lines)
  • Quilting Cotton (I can typically get 3 burp cloths from one fat quarter unless they’re cut small)
  • Cotton chenille backing (there are several colors to choose from–I used the blue for these, but white is my favorite overall with Natural a close second)
  • Sewing machine and thread

Instructions

  1. Place your quilting cotton and cotton chenille right sides together (RST) and place your template on top. We’re going to cut them out together so they’re ready for sewing, which saves you cutting time and matching time later on. Note: If you want even more absorbency, add a layer of terry cloth to the cut list too.
  2. With RST, sew around the edge of the burp cloth leaving a 2″ gap. I usually use a 1/4″ seam allowance.
  3. Clip curves, and turn your burp cloth right side out.
  4. Press your edges, and pin the opening closed. 
  5. Topstitch around the entire burp cloth enclosing the gap you pinned.

These are my favorite baby gift, and I tend to make them in batches so I’m ready for baby showers or packages. I tie up a bundle of 3 or 4 and slide a tag or note in and they’re ready to give!

They’re soft on baby’s face, easy to use, and hands down the best. 

So if you haven’t already, click here to Download the Burp Cloth Pattern.

Lisa

Lisa Mabey blogs at Mabey She Made It about DIY, Crafts, Home Decor, and Sewing.

View Comments

  • Hi Lisa I love these little burp cloths, very practical and so stylish with the cotton, great idea! I am stumped about the cotton chenille you use and am not aware of such fabric, does it go by another name? I am only aware of making it which is very time consuming. If you know of another name for this please advise me, thanks, Maureen

  • I have saved all mine, even though I am not having more kids, for my kids to use as nose wipers. They will all get tissues and waste them. But the burp cloths are mostly soft, and they can wipe their nose much more. This kind might be even better! Thanks for sharing!

  • I love the pattern/tutorial. But I really love that you included a list of fabrics and how well they work for this purpose! Thanks.

  • Hello, these are super adorable. I tried to click the download link to download the pattern, the when I do...it just scrolls up to the top of the page...not sure what I'm doing wrong! Can you possibly email the link to me? Thank you!

    • Hi Kenya, thank you! If you're trying on mobile or tablet, they aren't working. But if you try on a desktop they're working just fine. I'm working on getting the mobile/table problem solved.

  • Silly question: does the Chenile side go toward baby's face and the cotton print side down on top of shoulder?

    • Great question! That's how I use them if the baby is a spitter and you need the absorbency. However, if the baby in question just drools a little I put the cotton side up.

  • I have been using terry cloth for the 2nd side of burp cloths, also absorbent. You could also cut out good sections of old towels also.

    • Terry cloth is my second choice for the backing definitely. And reusing old towels is a great way to upcycle and keep the cost down!

  • Could you tell me the measurements ? I only have a working tablet right now and would love to make but I cannot down load from a mobile device.

    • Hi Shannon, I don't have the measurements at the moment but if you switch to the desktop view on mobile by clicking on the menu at the top you'll be able to download it on that view. Let me know if that still doesn't work.

  • Thank you, a simple pattern and fabric suggestion & selection the key to a successful little project.

  • Have you ever tried it with making your own chenille fabric with 100% cotton fabrics from your stash? Was wondering how that would work for absorbency? Have granddaughter due the end of June and DIL is convinced by her friends that the ones made of swaddle cloth are the best.

    • I haven't made my own chenille--my guess is that it would be okay but not as great as the cotton chenille you buy because of absorbency. If the baby doesn't spit a lot, I can see why swaddle cloths would be popular, but I reach for these every time--this mama wants coverage! :)

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Lisa
Tags: babyburp clothsewing
9 years ago

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