Earth Friendly Baby Wipes Tutorial

I'm 36 weeks now and so really need to get things ready for this baby! I've just recently been working on my stash of baby wipes because, well, babies make a lot of mess! This is such a simple project and so much better for the environment than thousands of disposable wipes. Seriously, anyone who can sew a straight line can make these wipes.

Along with being ridiculously easy to make, these wipes are also made from super simple materials. So ditch the thousands of disposable wipes and sew up some of these super easy, washable, recycled baby wipes today. Better for baby, the environment, and your wallet!

All you will need is basic sewing equipment (sewing machine, thread, pins, scissors, ruler etc.), and some flannelette and towelling fabric (the towelling is optional). No overlocker/serger required! I didn't have to buy any fabric for these at all, I cut up old towels and the flannelette came from my sister's stash as she no longer needed baby prints. You could also cut up unused flannelette sheets or pyjamas that still have some wear. So, not only are these washable and able to be used a multitude of times, they are also made from recycled materials, helping further to reduce the environmental impact of having a baby, win!

How to make the wipes:

Step 2

Sandwich either two flannelette or one flannelette and one towelling square right-sides-together and straight stitch around the edge, leaving about 2.5 inches or 7cm unsewn for turning, securing thread at start and finish. If using a layer of towelling it's easier to round off the corners a bit when sewing, rather than trying to turn and top stitch a sharp corner. You could also round the corners if using just flannelette, I just prefer the sharper corner look.

Step 3

Trim corners, turn wipe right-side-out, poking out the corners as best you can (I use a knitting needle), press with iron, and top stitch around the edges. And you're done!

If you do happen to have an overlocker/serger, you could just cut out your squares and overlock right round and you're done. I don't have an overlocker, and although I do have access to a friend's one if needed, I really do like the neatness of the turned and top-stitched edge.

Towelling or No?

It really just comes down to personal preference as to whether you use two layers of flannelette or make one of the layers towelling. I've made a stack of wipes with flannelette and towelling sandwiched, as well as a stack of just flannelette. Of the two towels I cut up, one was a bit thicker than the other, the wipes made with this thicker towel I'm going to use for bath time and dinner table wipes. The thinner towelling wipes are going to be for those particularly stubborn poos, and the the plain flannelette wipes for the vast majority of bum changes.

So if you have any old towels or flannelette sheets hanging around, why not give them a new purpose and whip up some of these super simple wipes.

Happy Sewing!