Here’s an easy, fun and practical gift for new arrivals: Planes, Trains and Automobiles burp cloths. Friends Tamara and Jon recently welcomed Lucas, little brother to adorable Sienna, and I made these especially for him.
Now while this craft has little to do with the classic movie, the idea of using it as a theme made me smile anyway. I reused my airplane shape for this project and drew two new shapes for the car and train. One sewn, I rolled each burp cloth and wrapped with an orange satin ribbon.
Del Griffith would be proud.
Supplies for making planes, trains and automobiles burp cloths:
- Kathy’s free planes, trains and automobiles printable template (PDF, 136K)
- White cloth diapers for your burp cloth base (wash in Dreft to preshrink and iron before using)
- Blue fabric (you’ll need less than 1/8th yard – wash in Dreft to preshrink and iron before using)
- Fusible interfacing (you’ll need less than 1/8th yard)
- Orange thread
- Paper scissors
- Good fabric scissors
- Pen
- Good Rowenta iron and ironing board
- Sewing machine with a good zigzag stitch
- Planes, Trains and Automobiles DVD – optional good inspiration 😉
First print and cut out my free planes, trains and automobiles template.
Cut a piece of fusible interfacing slightly larger than the cut shape and iron to the wrong side of your blue fabric.
Put the shape face down on top of the interfacing and trace with a pen.
Cut out your shape using good fabric scissors.
Fold the diaper in half. Center your shape about 2-3 inches from the cloth bottom.
Using a tight zigzag stitch, sew around your shape. Remember to backstitch. Repeat for the all three shapes.
Officer: “Do you feel this vehicle is safe for the highways?”
Del: “Yes. Yes sir I do.”
—
Like it? Share it!
The nicest way to say you like it is to pin it on pinterest, post a comment, follow Merriment Design on Facebook, twitter, pinterest, Google+ or sign up for monthly emails. Enjoy! 🙂
Copyright stuff: You’re more than welcome to use this free project and tutorial for personal use. Contact me for commercial use and etsy sales.
Sue
Saturday 6th of January 2018
Thanks for the quick reply, and for the additional links, I have left over heat and bond lite from an applique alphabet book I've already made for him, so that will come in handy. This is from the woman that has never sewn 'crafts' only clothes and window treatments...I'll learn lots from this grandbaby!
Kathy
Tuesday 16th of January 2018
Sue, thanks for the update. I hope the heat and bond lite worked well on the burp cloths. Enjoy your grandbaby snuggles!
Sue
Saturday 6th of January 2018
These are so cute, sewing again for anxiously awaited grandson! One question, I bought prefolded diapers for other project, since you fold the diaper in half before appliqueing, are you using flat fold diapers?
I'm think of trying this on a 100% cotton terry hand towel for a burp cloth.
Thank you for sharing your talent.
Kathy
Saturday 6th of January 2018
Hi Sue! I only folded it in half to figure out the placement. I should have then said in the instructions that I opened it up again before sewing the applique on -- if you look very closely at the photos, my appliques are actually like in the bottom lower right corner of the burp cloths but I really think you could put these on anywhere on your hand towel that looks good. However, to make it easier to applique, you may want to get Heat n Bond Lite instead because then the applique won't shift on the towel when you sew it on. Check it out on my Felt Stove project here: https://www.merrimentdesign.com/felt-stove-diy-kids-play-kitchen-roll-put-away.php Lastly, I also have a free curved burp cloth pattern here where I used an old towel and it was super absorbent and my favorite burp cloth :: https://www.merrimentdesign.com/curved-baby-burp-cloth-tutorial-free-pattern.php Happy sewing!
Sylvia Kidwell
Sunday 17th of August 2014
Thank You, so very much for the Plane, Train & Auto pdf. I will use the plane on baby bibs for my grandson. I was searching for burp cloth ideas and found your tutorial. The baby's room is airplane themed, not easy to find plane designs for babies! I'm sure the Train & Auto will also be used as well for both grandsons, as well!
Judith
Sunday 15th of September 2013
I would like to make this for a very young friend of mine, how do I print it? I cannot find the PDF link. Thanks
Kathy Beymer
Tuesday 17th of September 2013
Hi Judith, try this link:
https://www.merrimentdesign.com/images/Planes-trains-automobiles-burp-cloths.pdf
Let me know how it works for you and your very young friend!
Loretta
Thursday 4th of October 2012
Love it! Thanks so much for sharing :)