How to Make Simple Receiving Blankets and Burp Cloths

Learn how to make simple and easy baby receiving blankets and burp cloths using flannel material, thread, and a sewing machine!

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If you thought the quilt was simple, this How-To would be a piece of devil’s food chocolate cake (excuse the pregnancy cravings!) This is easy. I promise. It took me longer to write this How-To than it did to make the receiving blanket and two burp cloths!

How to Make Simple Receiving Blankets and Burp Cloths

So grab your purse and your coupons (never buy fabric at full price – there is always a sale or a coupon to be found!) And head to the store.

What You Need to Make Simple Receiving Blankets

• 2 pieces of flannel*
• thread
• sewing machine
• pins

*When buying fabric for receiving blankets, keep things as simple as possible by checking the width of the bolt of fabric before you take it up to the cutting table. Most bolts of flannel will be about 44-45 inches wide. Ask them to cut the fabric to the width of the bolt. This will give you a perfect square to start with.

TIP: Be nice to the fabric cutter. If you are friendly, make small talk and tell them you need every square inch. They will be more likely to take their time and cut the fabric straight. Nothing frustrates me more than having to go home and re-cut fabric because of a nasty cut.

How to Make Simple Receiving Blankets

Pre-wash the fabric.

If you choose to have a coordinating set of receiving blankets and burp cloths, follow these next cutting steps:

Instead of cutting the fabric to make a perfect square, cut it 9 inches larger (9 in = 1/4 yard) than the width of the bolt—in my case, 53 inches.

Fold the corner over to make a triangle.

The remaining fabric will be your 1/4 yard of fabric for the burp cloth.

Repeat this for the other piece of flannel.

Now, start sewing:

You got your pre-washed fabric, and your machine is threaded now; all you have to do is follow these simple steps:

Place the fabric on the right side facing in.

Pin if you feel like it. I don’t pin because flannel usually stays in place, and pinning slows me down.

With a 1/4 inch seam allowance, sew around three edges using a straight stitch.

On the fourth side, sew a little over 3/4 of the way, leaving an opening large enough to turn the blanket right side out. I left about 6 inches open.

Fold in the raw edge and pin in place.

Sew along the edge of all four sides. I used a zig-zag stitch for visual interest.

And that is it!

You are done. You made a receiving blanket!

What You Need to Make Simple Burp Cloths

• 2 pieces of 1/4 yard flannel
• 1 piece of 1/4 yard flannel for lining (any cheap flannel with do)
• thread
• sewing machine
• pins

How to Make Simple Burp Cloths

Again, pre-wash your fabric.

Cut all the flannel in half so you have (depending on the width of the bolt) 6 pieces of 22 in by 9 in cloth.

Layer the fabric on the right sides and place the lining flannel on top.

Sew three sides together with a straight stitch.

Turn right side out.

Fold in the raw edge and pin.

Sew around the edges (again, yes, you have to do this).

Sew an X through the burp cloth.

Repeat with the remaining fabric.

And there you go. You now have two burp cloths and a receiving blanket!