The making of a cloth wipe...

When I started cloth diapering, I found myself frusterated with disposable wipes.  Using them at home, I would have to put down a dirty wipe somewhere as I finished changing the baby so that I could take it over to a trash can afterwards.  Inevitably, Eli would grab for it or kick his foot into it making a bigger mess then I was already dealing with!  Plus, half the time I would forget to throw it out and so there it sat, a nasty used wipe displayed on my change table in the middle of my family room.  While out, I would run into the same problem and end up juggling a baby, diaper bag, and dirty wipe looking for a trash can (if I was so lucky as to even have one around!).  Otherwise, I'd be throwing the disposable wipe into my wet bag and hoping I would remember to fish it out later before throwing it into the diaper pail.  I came across the idea of reusable cloth wipes online and started using some wash cloths.  When I realized just how much easier it made my life, I was sold!  All you do is wipe and toss into the diaper laundry!  Perfect!  
     I've now taken to making my own wipes because it's super economical and you can make some really cute printed wipes (Hot Wheels is the theme here.  Can you tell I have boys!).  If you've never done it, it's an easy craft that you can do one day as the little ones are napping and you can whip up at least half a dozen in half an hour.


What you'll need:


- 8.5"x16.5" piece of fabric (I like flannel but any cotton will do)
- scissors
- matching thread
- sewing machine 


How to make one 2-layer wipe:

1. Take your piece of fabric and fold it in half length-wise so that the right sides are facing eachother (you'll be looking at the WRONG side of the fabric).


2.  Straight stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance all around the square, leaving a 2" opening on one side.  Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end to strengthen the stitching and prevent unravelling.


3.  Turn the square right side out now so that you're 
looking at the right side of the fabric.  Tuck the seams of the 2" opening in and pin it in place.
4.  Straight stitch again 1/4" from the seam all the way around, making sure to close that 2" opening.
5.  Sit back and marvel at how easy that was!  You're done!








I like to keep my wipes in a disposable wipes container at home.  I boil water each morning and pour it over the wipes, that way when I go to use them throughout the day they're warm (well, for most of the day at least!).  I keep them pre-moistened in a travel wipes container for my diaper bag; just make sure they're not overly wet so they don't leak :)


Happy sewing!