Pour yourself a cup of something hot. This is gonna take awhile.
To celebrate my new tripod I thought I'd show you how to make one of my little burp cloths, complete with helpful tips and some uber useful tools.
If you've ever been to Strawberry Patches you know we've been making these for years. I first came up with the idea when we needed projects using Minkee. Now, years later it continues to be one of our most popular patterns and we love that it has single handedly gotten hundreds of machines out of the closet and women sewing again (not to mention what it's done for the kids - more on that later).
Ready? Let's get started.
You'll need four pieces of coordinating fabric. The main piece (orange chenille) measures 10" wide by 13" long. You'll need two pieces of cute coordinating fabric measuring 10" by 6" for the end pieces and two pieces of another fabric 10" by 3" for the bands. You may want to add 1 1/2" wide jumbo ric rac - two pieces 10" long. You will also need a Minkee backing that measures about 12" by 27".
Fold the two 10" by 3" bands in half so they measure 10" by 1 1/2" and press.
Now lay one of the folded bands on one end piece,lining up the raw edges. Then lay one of the pieces of ric rac across the edge so that the dip if the ric rac lines up with the raw edge.
Helpful hint #1: I use a walking foot throughout this project.
Sew the end piece, the band and the ric rac together by sewing down the middle of the ric rac a 1/4" from the raw edge.
Repeat with other end piece. Go ahead, I'll wait.
With right sides together, pin and sew the end unit to the chenille sewing just to the inside of your previous stitching line (you know, where you attached the ric rac to the other cute fabric). Repeat.
Remove the pins and press seams toward the chenille.
Now flip the whole thing over and admire your beautiful work.
Then
top stitch 1/4" from the seam using this amazing thread.
Uber useful tool #1: Madeira mono filament thread. The most amazing stuff ever. Got stitches that are less than perfect? No one will ever notice because it's invisible! Sewing on lots of different colors or adding different colored trims to a project? No need to change thread cause clear thread matches everything because, say it with me now, it's invisible. Madeira makes mono filament in clear and smoke. You'll want them both. Trust me.
Now it's time for a little housekeeping.
Trim up all those little things that are hanging out and get everything neat and pretty. It's muy importante to have everything squared up at this point because if it's not, it's not gonna get any better later (if you get my drift).
Okay, now we're getting to the soft stuff. This is the miracle fabric that makes fussy babies happy and kids blanket dependent. Ummhumm it's Minkee! MIN. KEE. What does it spell? Happy sleeping children!
Just cut a piece a little bigger than the finished, neatly trimmed top and with right sides together pin well all the way around and sew with a 1/4" seam allowance. You can use regular thread for this part. Save the clear stuff for the magic.
Start sewing on the chenille and sew all the way around leaving a small opening for turning your project inside out. Make that opening very, very small - no more than three inches long.
Helpful Hint #2: Lengthen your stitch a bit when working with Minkee. Why? Because I said so.
Using your rotary cutter and ruler trim up again leaving that funny little Minkee tab thingy. I'm very lazy and don't like to take the time to hand sew the opening closed so leaving an extra tab here helps catch it in the last step.
Cut the four corners off - close but not too close.
Now reach in there and turn the whole thing inside out. Take the pins out first or you'll get blood over everything. (Here comes Uber useful tool #2)
The Point Turner by Collins. How did I ever live without one or four of these inexpensive little jewels? Your points will be sharp and your seams will be crisp.Your laundry still won't be done but hey, two out of three ain't bad. No more poking a chop stick through the seams. You'll see.
After your burpie is turned and looking spiffy give it a good steam pressing then top stitch all the way around using that miracle clear thread again (can't see it can you - it's a miracle I tell you) and voila...
...you've got yourself a darling burp cloth for some little person to spit up all over on.
Encourage one another,
PS Your finished Burp Cloth should measure 9" by 23" but hey, if it doesn't who really cares?
