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    Home » Sewing » Free Sewing Patterns- Accessories

    Tutorial: Vintage Hankie Burp Cloths

    Updated: Mar 16, 2021 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 17 Comments

    Vintage Handkerchief burp cloths

     
     

    Oh how I love vintage hankies!!!  Last year I made a quilt with them and had a few left over.  I like to throw them into projects when I get the chance…. One day while I was thinking about what else I could make with a vintage hankie… it dawned on me… “a burp cloth”… I mean they are designed for cleaning up messy faces right???

     

    How to make burp cloths

    To make them a bit more absorbent I backed them with chenille. It only takes small squares of chenille so it was great use of some scraps I had.

    baby burp cloths

     

     

    Here’s what you need to make them!! They are SOOO easy, this is a good project for a beginning sewer.

    Vintage Handkerchiefs- to find some in your area, try antique stores, junk stores and thrift shops.  Many stains can be removed after a good soaking, but many can’t-  judge accordingly.

    Chenille

    Ric Rac

    Okay, I’m lazy and normally don’t pre wash ANYTHING… This project is an exception… besides the obvious germ issue with a used hankie, you need to pre wash and dry (in the dryer) the chenille.  TRUST ME.  If you don’t you’ll have a hot mess on your hands.

    After you’ve pre washed your hankies and chenille, you need to cut your chenille to the size of the hankie you are working with.

    Next stitch your ric rac to the edge of the right side of the hankie.  Pin as you go. Stitch right down the middle of the ric rac.

    Lay your hankie on top of your cut piece of chenille, right sides together.   Stitch together, along the stitching line you just made to attach the ric rac.  Leave a 2″ opening on one side to turn the hankie right side out.

    Clip corners and turn right side out.

    Press well and pin opening closed.  Hand stitch or use seam tape to close the opening.

    Burp Cloths made from Vintage Handkerchiefs

    post signature

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    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sharon B says

      April 25, 2012 at 7:45 am

      When I saw this fabric yesterday, I never would have thougt you made burp cloths – it is such a cute idea for a little girl!

      Reply
    2. Cynthia says

      April 25, 2012 at 10:11 am

      What a great idea! I am going to look for some handkerchiefs and make some burp cloths. Thank you!

      Reply
    3. Laurel says

      April 25, 2012 at 2:10 pm

      Totally cute idea.

      Reply
    4. ~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ says

      April 25, 2012 at 3:39 pm

      I love these!! So cute and seem kind of easy. I can’t turn down a pretty hankie! I just love them, I’m your newest follower, Hope you have a lovely day! xo Holly

      Reply
    5. MosaicMagpie says

      April 26, 2012 at 10:35 am

      Thank you for sharing this with us. A really great idea and cute too!
      Deb

      Reply
    6. Amber Sargent says

      April 26, 2012 at 10:43 am

      I adore this idea! Thanks for sharing such a great idea!

      Reply
    7. janmadeit says

      April 26, 2012 at 11:11 am

      What a great idea! And I have a brand-new baby niece I can make some of these for!
      Thanks for sharing!
      Jan

      Reply
    8. laurareid says

      April 26, 2012 at 9:43 pm

      oh, i love those! i have some hankies that look like that from the dollar store. i will use them to make some….

      Reply
    9. Laura says

      April 27, 2012 at 5:02 pm

      I love those so much. Thanks for the tutorial.

      Reply
    10. Gabrielle Krake says

      May 01, 2012 at 7:26 pm

      awesome idea, I have a box full of these!

      Reply
    11. {northern cottage} says

      May 10, 2012 at 7:10 am

      eeeek – completely darling! makes me want to have a baby or my friends to get prego now! pinning for future present idea! thanks for sharing! xo

      http://www.NorthernCottage.net

      Reply
    12. Sabra says

      May 10, 2012 at 10:24 am

      I love these!! I *need* some vintage hankies!

      Reply
    13. Justine of SewCountryChick says

      May 11, 2012 at 1:59 am

      I have so many hankies I have collected . Now I just need a baby! Super photography BTW!

      Reply
    14. Carol Stuttgen says

      January 16, 2013 at 4:40 pm

      I just cut the fabric for these, but used flannel and some thin cotton batting. They are just adorable and I’m sending them to my niece who just had a baby. You are very clever and I just love these!!

      Reply
    15. Becky says

      July 25, 2016 at 4:13 pm

      Wonderful idea! Have you tried this on cloth diapers instead?

      Reply

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