quick baby gift.

This morning I completely forgot my cousin's baby shower (later today!) and I had to come up with something cute and baby-friendly in a jiffy.

I keep a bag of cloth diapers on hand for just this type of project. For this gift, I used 3 diapers and created a cute package of coordinated boutique burp cloths. Each is decorated with a strip of fun cotton print. I had some Jennifer Paganelli and Amy Butler in my scrap bin! Yum! I tear my strips of fabric 6" wide, and use the length of the diaper to cut the length (add 1" to turn under ends).

First, turn under the sides 1/4" and press well. Next turn under the ends so the strip matches the length of your diaper exactly. Pin in place! (I use alot of pins because the birdseye weave of the diaper tends to shift around when you stitch).


Straight stitch all around. I usually start in the MIDDLE of one end (not on a corner) or on a side near the end. That leaves you a bit of wiggle room when you sew all around the fabric strip and find the diaper has shifted and your end is now too long/too short.

A cute variation I've also done is to add a strip of contrasting rickrack down the sides. SO sweet. Sadly, I was out of rickrack today.

To package your finished burp cloths, fold each neatly (I pressed again first) and tie your bundle with a coordinating fabric strip. I tear my strips because I like the raggy edges!


Now wrap it up! I love a clear cellophane baggie for these gifts. Sure the surprise factor is gone, but everyone loves the packaging anyway. I tied the cello bag with matching blue seam binding and made a green ribbon loopy bow.



Then I scallop punched a matching cardstock circle for a hand-written hangtag and pinned it to the ribbon with a silver charm.


From start to finish the entire process took an hour, and I have a sweet, handmade baby gift that I love more than anything I would have found in a local store!