Welcome

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.

These are the best, most absorbent burp cloths you'll ever use. Coming from a mama who has had 3 reflux babies.

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.

These are the best, most absorbent burp cloths you'll ever use. Coming from a mama who has had 3 reflux babies.

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.

These are the best, most absorbent burp cloths you'll ever use. Coming from a mama who has had 3 reflux babies.

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.

These are the best, most absorbent burp cloths you'll ever use. Coming from a mama who has had 3 reflux babies.

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.These are the best, most absorbent burp cloths you'll ever use. Coming from a mama who has had 3 reflux babies.
  2. With RST, sew around the edge of the burp cloth leaving a 2″ gap. I usually use a 1/4″ seam allowance.Sew your layers together.
  3. Clip curves, and turn your burp cloth right side out.Turn the burp cloth right side out
  4. Press your edges, and pin the opening closed. close the gap
  5. Topstitch around the entire burp cloth enclosing the gap you pinned.sew around the outside.

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!

These are the best, most absorbent burp cloths you'll ever use. Coming from a mama who has had 3 reflux babies.

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.

These are the best, most absorbent burp cloths ever

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Maureen the Budget Queen
Maureen the Budget Queen
7 years ago

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

Maureen the Budget Queen
Maureen the Budget Queen
7 years ago
Reply to  Lisa

thank you for the link Lisa. Looking forward to making these1

Linda Runnels
Linda Runnels
7 years ago

I’d like to know where to get the cotton chenille. The link didn’t show on your printed reply. Thanks.

Alice
Alice
4 years ago

where can I buy the cotton chenille

Kay
Kay
4 years ago
Reply to  Alice
Krisite
Krisite
7 years ago

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!

LeeAnn
7 years ago

I’ll be keeping this pattern on hand! Thank you for sharing!

Ren
7 years ago

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.

Kenya
Kenya
7 years ago

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!

Jane
Jane
7 years ago

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

Loisjean
Loisjean
7 years ago

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.

Shannon
Shannon
7 years ago

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.

Jenny
Jenny
7 years ago

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

Gram E
Gram E
6 years ago

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.

Helene
Helene
6 years ago

Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing. I’ve made lots of burps and bibs for gifts and wondered how well they worked using cottons, Warm and Natural as lining and either flannel or terry as backing. Looking forward to trying these. Is the dot Minky equivalent to the 100% Chenille fabric? I have some of the Minky on hand that matches my fabric and wondering if you’ve ever used that.

Helene
Helene
6 years ago
Reply to  Helene

Sorry : ( I just re-read that Minky isn’t a good choice.

Jayne
Jayne
6 years ago

I don’t know if it is just me, but when I click to get the pattern on any of the links, I don’t go anywhere. I’ve tried multiple browsers and am just stuck. Will you check it?
Thank you so much for sharing this, I really am looking forward to making some great gifts!

Joy
Joy
6 months ago
Reply to  Jayne

Me too

Beth
Beth
6 years ago

Hi. Thanks for the tutorial; wish I’d found it 20 years ago for my spitter.!

I am just wondering what size needle and tension you used. If I’m not mistaken chenille goes best with a spring size 11?

Thanks again for your time and help.

great grandma
great grandma
6 years ago

great cant wait to try making these with chenille.

Dorita Wessels
Dorita Wessels
6 years ago

Thanks for the pattern- want to make it. Unfortunately the link does not open the download of the pattern. Looking forward to more patterns.

Sandy
Sandy
6 years ago

The link to download the pattern seems broken. Any other way to get a pattern?

Beth
Beth
6 years ago

Every time I click on the link it only reloads the page. Can you email the link to me?

Claire
Claire
6 years ago

What width and length should the template be when you have stuck it together? I’ve had too many instances in the past of making things accidentally in miniature!! Thanks

Gina
Gina
5 years ago

Cannot open for pattern have tried several times, would love to make thanks

Heidi
Heidi
5 years ago

I am trying to download your burp cloth pattern & your site keeps telling me my email is invalid? It is valid & correct, I tried it multiple times. Any suggestions?

Lindsey
Lindsey
5 years ago

How much cotton chenille do I need per 1 fat quarter of fabric? I’d like to make about 12 of these.

Mary
Mary
5 years ago

Hi, I am on my desktop and The link doesn’t download – if I click and have it open, it only opens the same page 🙁

Tiffany
Tiffany
5 years ago

The link doesn’t seem to be working to download the pattern. Is there a trick to getting the pattern?

Marieliza
Marieliza
5 years ago

Great post!! any way I can have the pattern emailed to me! the hyperlink to download the doesn’t appear to be working.

Christine
Christine
5 years ago

I’m so glad to have found you. I make burp towels all the time and I always want to know what really works for the spit up because I had a projectile vomiter many j]=years ago. Thanks for all the fabric suggestions. I cannot get the pattern to download! Major bummer, now that I’m already to go. Please help – I moved to a desktop computer, bur to no avail.

Karra Marg
Karra Marg
4 years ago

I love the information given, but when I print the pdf it comes out on two pages. Is this the correct sizing? I don’t see how I would get 3 of these on a fat quarter. Do you have the length and width available to compare?

Susan Frazier-Kouassi
Susan Frazier-Kouassi
3 years ago

Do you prewash the chenille before using? And once washed, how do you keep it from “shedding”?

Tiffany L Britt
Tiffany L Britt
3 years ago

Hi! I know this is an older post but I love these and have ordered the materials to make them, however, I have NEVER worked with chenille fabric before. Everything I can find out Prewashing chenille says to be gentle and has all these special care instructions. How are you prewashing/prepping your chenille and how do you launder these beautiful burp cloths once they are ready to be washed regularly? I am a FTM but to save money, I’m making a lot of the baby items and I looked at a few different burp cloth tutorials before I found this… Read more »

Wendy
Wendy
3 years ago

Can you please tell me what a cotton chenille is I’ve looked everywhere

Rosemary
Rosemary
3 years ago

Hi your right i’ve tried a few too. Can’t wait to try your one for my grandaughter. I find the fat quarters great too but haven’t tried the cotton chenille. Thanks for sharing
Rose

Doreen
Doreen
3 years ago

Thank so much I have 3 other burp cloth patterns, but never started any as yet, with yours now they are all shaped differently, how ever I am really glad you stated you choice of fabric which I would use. Is it necessary to wash the cotton and chenille fabric before cutting them?. and also can I use cotton and terry for one of my other patterns?.
Thanks Doreen

Yvonne
Yvonne
2 years ago

Just wanted to know if using 100% cotton on both sides is alright? Or is best to use cotton chenille; terry cloth or and old towel for one side?

Nicole
Nicole
2 years ago

Do you pre-wash your chenille and cotton fabric?

susie rheault
susie rheault
2 years ago

Hello Lisa. I am intrigued with your burp cloths and trust your recommendation given your expertise with four children. I do not see and wondering if you sell your handmade cloths? Thanks, Susie

plhatch
2 years ago

Nice tutorial. I plan on using double gauze for the burp cloths I am making. I printed out your pattern and was wondering if each half was supposed to be the same shape and if not, why?

Mary
Mary
2 years ago

When you add terry cloth for greater absorbency, are you adding it as a third layer? TIA

KK
KK
2 years ago

Should you prewash the cotton chenille

Rita Therese Vermeulen
Rita Therese Vermeulen
1 year ago

love this pattern. Question: can you send the length and width of the partern pieces? I am not sure if I am printing the correct scale. I printed both as is and ‘fill to printable area

Cindy
Cindy
1 year ago

Hi! I am not a seamstress but I am looking for burp cloths that actually absorb spit up!! Your web page came up 🙂 Do you ever sell your burp cloths, or do you know of a source where I can simply buy some that are made like yours are? I am a Grammie with 2 new little ones on the way this summer!

Karri
Karri
1 year ago

Thank you so much for all this great info. I am a little confused about the e d section where you have the steps listed. You mention quilting cotton. Is that in place of the Terry cloth or is this a three layer burp cloth with terry cloth in the middle? Thanks again!

Liana Hill
Liana Hill
1 year ago

I can’t get the pattern to open? Can you help?

Wendy Dunlap
Wendy Dunlap
1 year ago

I see you say the cotton chenille. So what should I use for the other side?

Lisa Faith
Lisa Faith
1 year ago

I’m trying to download the pattern but nothing is happening, is this still available?

Sylvia
Sylvia
3 months ago

I’ve used this pattern many times over the years and keep a supply of chenille on hand (purchased when on sale). These burp cloths are my go-to baby gift along with a matching tag blanket. I’ve yet to gift to a mom who wasn’t ecstatic over them after using a few months!