Guest Post: 2 Little Hooligans!!

Let's start the baby-goodness!!

I can't tell you how excited I am to have my friend Christina from 2 Little Hooligans visiting today!

Christina doesn't need an introduction, but I'll do one anyway!
She always has amazing and inspiring projects, easy to follow tutorials, a whole bunch of things you can do with your hoard of fat quarters, and beautiful pictures of the fun things she does with/for her family.
Plus she is one of the sweetest people I've ever (talked to many times through email) met.
And her children are A-DOR-ABLE!!!
Here are some of my favorites from her blog:

{Dahlia Dresses, Caterpillar Birthday Party, Baby Doll Accessories, Casserole Carrier, Doughnuts, Organizing Tote Basket}
So without further ado, here's Christina!____________________________________________________

Hi, my name is Christina and I blog over at 2 little hooligans. I am so excited to be here today to celebrate the arrival of Nikki's new little bundle of pink! I put together a tutorial for something I could not live without when my little ones were babies...burp cloths!

I know there are a ton of tutorials out there for burp cloths, but these are a little different due to the piping around the edges. I love the sweet little rounded edges that the piping gives these burp cloths. Plus I love the size of these burp cloths. Since all three of my kiddo's were breastfed and hardly spit up, I didn't need a huge burp cloth. But what I needed was a little cloth to keep on hand for little dribbles or for those nursing accidents. If you prefer a larger cloth, just cut your fabrics out to the desired size and then follow the same directions for sewing the piping on. Just keep in mind that if you are going to make a larger cloth you might need more piping then one package. Now, let's get started!

Baby Burp Cloths with Piping Tutorial
(allow 1-2 hours to complete a set)

Materials Needed:
*one large piece of cotton fabric, flannel and minky fabric all measuring about 14" x 10"
*one package of piping (will make 2 cloths that are 12" x 8 1/2")

Start by making a template by taping two pieces of card stock together. Measure so that the length of the two pieces are 12" long when taped together. Now round all of the corners.

Take your piece of cotton fabric and lay it right side up and trace around the template onto the right side of fabric. Add your tag now.

Open the package of piping and cut the piping in half to give you two pieces of piping. Make sure you only do this if you are making two burp cloths this size. If you are going to make one larger burp cloth do not cut the piping. Now start pinning the piping in place and make sure you pin a lot! You want the raw edge of the piping to be lined up with the line you just traced with your template. Overlap the piping like shown below when you get to that point. You want to make sure that you do not leave and raw piping edges showing.

Now gather the minky fabric and flannel. It is time to assemble all three pieces of fabric together. Layer with flannel on the bottom, then minky fabric right side up and then place the cotton fabric on top with right side down. Pin all three pieces in place.

Here is a closer look of how the fabrics should be lined up.

Change to a zipper foot and move your needle so that it is even with the edge of your foot and will line up right against the piping. When sewing, make sure that you take your time and sew right against the edge of the piping, just make sure not to sew into the piping. You wont be able to see the piping underneath the top piece of fabric so just take your time here and always make sure the edge of your foot is right against the piping underneath. You will be able to feel where the piping is with your sewing foot. Sew all around the burp cloth, but make sure to leave a 1 1/2" opening for turning right side out.

Trim off the excess fabric and leave the opening a little longer then the rest of the trimmed edges. This will make the opening easier to fold in and sew shut.

Don't forget to use your lint roller and get rid of all the excess lint, especially when working with minky.

Now turn right side out and iron flat.

Now change back to your regular foot or you can just adjust your zipper foot so that you are top stitching close to the edge. Top stitch as many times as you would like. I usually top stitch mine two times. And now your finished!

See the pretty little piping edges? I think it gives the burp cloths a professional and clean looking edge.



**Please feel free to use this tutorial for your personal sewing projects. You may link this to your blog and use any photo's. Just please be kind and give credit where credit is due.**
Any questions or comments please do not hesitate to contact me. If you make one using this tutorial, please add it to my flickr group. I would love to see it and you just might see it featured on my blog someday!

Thanks again Nikki for asking me to join in on the fun! We can't wait to see that new little bundle of pink!

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Aren't those adorable?! I'm in love with the piping!!

Thank you so much Christina for visiting!!! It's ALWAYS a pleasure!!

Come back tomorrow for another tutorial!!