These handmade baby washcloths are so easy to whip up, and you will use them every day! I was never thrilled with the baby washcloths from the store, they are always a little on the flimsy side. These will last for years.
I thought it would be nice to have a really soft side, and a side that had a little more texture. So I came up with chenille backed baby washcloths. You can whip up a batch for yourself, or they make wonderful baby shower gifts!
UPDATE: One reader told me that she actually made some for herself to use for removing makeup. What a fabulous idea! Can’t believe I didn’t think of it myself. So even if you don’t have a baby, feel free to make some for yourself.
Baby Washcloth Tutorial
First you need to pick two coordinating fabrics. I used flannel on one side and chenille on the other.
Place the two fabrics right side together and cut a square. I cut mine about 7″.
Pin the squares together. You see that space on the left in between the red and blue pins? You are going to leave that open so you can turn the washcloth right side out.
Now sew the squares together, using a 1/2″ seam allowance. Don’t forget to leave that space I talked about open! When you’re finished sewing, clip the corners.
Now turn it right side out.
Now you’re going to sew a stitch all the way around the edge. This will not only sew the hole closed, it will make the whole thing more sturdy.
Before you start stitching, make sure the pieces of fabric at the opening are tucked in to the inside evenly. You can iron the opening if you want, but you don’t have to. I sewed as close to the edge as I could get.
Stitch up a few of them and you have a great baby shower gift.
Wouldn’t they be perfect tucked in a cute basket with bath supplies?
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Wow what a great idea ! I make my own burp cloths for the ladies at our church that are having babies. Never thought to make wash cloths too !! Thanks so much for your inspiration.
You are so welcome! It’a awesome that you give handmade burp cloths – they can’t be beat! 🙂
I love these and plan on making some as gifts. When you wash them, do they bunch up? I was wondering if I need to top stitch an X or something to keep the layers together. Thanks!
No, as long as you prewash your fabric to prevent shrinkage later, they work great. I’ve never had a problem bunching. I still have mine ten years later, and now I use them for my granddaughter. 🙂
For blankets I pinned and pinned then used my quilting foot on the machine
it helped but still not like cotton
I have yards of white terry cloth fabric. That would work for one side too – right?
Not sure I think I did some both ways
I have been sewing all my life and just love to read what the younger moms are doing. These washcloths are just darling and I for one am going to make them for extra gifts for baby showers. I am the mother of many, grand mother of 12 and great grand mother to a new generation. of beautiful babies. I find that you ladies are so great to share your ideas on the internet (my light to the world,) and the new DIY projects that are available; I am not able to sell at craft shows anymore but love to sew. Thanks again for making my day fun with your great ideas……
Aw, thanks so much for your kind comment. Sounds like you have a wonderful family, and I think it is amazing that you are sewing for your great grandbabies. I hope I am still able to sew when I have great grandchildren!
Hi KARA, I have a quick question, where did you find your chenille? I have been all over Asheville N.C. looking for some to no avail.
Any help you can give me would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Michele
I just found mine at my local Joann fabric. I bet you can buy it online from their website. (joann.com) Good luck!
Love the washcloths as I have a baby shower in April for my best friends granddaughter she has had several miscarriages and1 son who will be 9 before this baby is born so I wanted to make some special things for her already plan ing burp cloths for her
Congrats to your friend! Rainbow babies are such a blessing! Burp cloths and washcloths are one of my favorite baby gifts to give, I bet she will love them!
yes Maybe a larger store than mine but you can find it on JoAnns . I ordered some yesterday
Wow! I just found this! I was getting ready to buy washcloths for my grandson (we watch him 2 days a week) now that he is eating cereal and fruit/veggies. He NEEDS a good wipe down after eating! I had some left over flannel and way too much chenille! Boom, banged one of these out in NO time! I still struggle, no matter how many pins I use, with the chenille moving any other fabric I put with it, but this soft, adorable wash cloth still came out great! (If anyone has any tips on keeping those fabrics together, I’d appreciate knowing the secret!) Anyway, thanks for posting this!
Love these, I make a similar washcloth using minky for both sides.When the grands come to spend the night, they have their own washcloths and ask for them every time. hah. Before sewing the two sides together I mongrammed their nicknames on them. A little fancy but fun.
That is such a fun idea! I just got a new sewing machine that can monogram, so I might have to give them a try! 🙂
My relatives every time say that I am wwasting my time here at web, but I know I
am getting know-how daily by reading such nice articles.
do you think it would be ok to do flannel on both sides? we are making some baskets for fellow army wives that are pregnant and i have a bunch of flannel scraps. Thanks
this is AWESOME 🙂 i just found your blog!!! I cloth diaper & have made washclothes similar to these (to use as wipes) with flannel (recycled receiving blankets) and terry cloth (recycled towels) but i never thought about the chenille 🙂 DEF going to try it!
I like them so much I’ve actually got plans to make some for myself. I like them better than washcloths, and they are so much cheaper!
Thanks for sharing! The lady that made my daughter’s cloth pull ups threw in a free washcloth and I loved it so much I’m making more for my daughter 🙂
Kara,
Just a note to let you know that I featured your baby washcloth tutorial in my Save. Craft. Give. post this week.
Enjoy your holiday weekend,
Kelly
Hello! I love this pattern!! Thanks so much for sharing. My 3rd grandbaby is due in December and I’m looking for quick and easy patterns. I’ve shared this link on my website: couponscraftsandcauses.com/crafts/craft-site-links/.
I’d love to subscribe to your site via email, but didn’t see that option. If you ever add it, please let me know.
Thanks,
Kelly
Thank you! I am expecting in August and this is giving me something to do with the idle time on my hands as I don’t have a sewing machine. 😀
Just sharing the link to my post about your tutorial. The Baby Shower was Sunday, and let me just say, the washcloths were a HUGE HIT! Everyone went crazy for them. Thanks again, and I hope you have a few minutes to check them out. Have a great day! tammyssweetspot.blogspot.com/2011/01/luxurious-baby-washcloths.html
Just finished a set of these for my cousins shower this weekend after reading your great tutorial…It was my first ever sewing project and I must say, you made it so easy for me…Thank you for such a great idea…I know she is going to love them…They are so super soft…I have never thought to make a washcloth out of such soft fabric…I am linking back to your tutorial when I do my post about them..Thanks again
I am so glad to hear it Tammy!! Let me know when you do the post, I’d love to see how they turned out. 🙂
I love your project so much I featured it this week!
Come grab a button if you’d like. You deserve it. 😉
~Allison @ House of Hepworths
Thanks so much Allison!! 🙂
I must try to make some of these for my grand daughter and maybe a few for me! Thanks for the idea!
They would be perfect and so soft! And so cute.
I love these! My bonus daughter is due next month, so I’m going to make her some of these! Thanks for the inspiration!!!
I’m your newest follower…come check out my blog when you get a chance 🙂
Shantel @ itsapricelesslife.blogspot.com
I love these! My bonus daughter is due next month…I’m going to make some of these for her! Thanks for the inspiration!
I’m your newest follower…come check out my blog when you get a chance 🙂
Shantel @
http://www.itsapricelesslife.blogspot.com
OoOoOh.. very nice! I have a friend who is due in March, and I’ve been thinking about what to make. I’ll have to bookmark this post! Thanks for sharing, I bet I could make several and stuff ’em in a diaper bag 😀