Reusable flannel wipes

Remember how I told you to keep those flannel scraps from the swaddle blanket post? I used flannel scraps to make reusable wipes to compliment my cloth diapering. These work great with plain water or homemade wipe solution if you prefer, and clean up even really nasty messes. And they are REALLY easy, especially if you have a serger. I seem to say that every other post haha. Feel free to explore other fabrics, too. I heard that velour is awesome, although pricey. But hey, scraps are free, right?? Oh, one note. Do NOT use fleece (or most other synthetics). It doesn't absorb water into its fibers because they are synthetic and not porous, and it will just smear everything around and make a mess.

Reusable wipes
Materials:
Large pieces of flannel scraps or other material (steer clear of white)
Serger or sewing machine
Scissors
Cardboard scrap or cardstock
Pen or marker that will write on fabric

Step 1: Measure a piece of cardboard or other stiff material that is 8"x8". Round off the edges with a cup or other circle to trace. If you want, do it on paper first so you can fold it and have it be perfectly even and then cut the cardboard. But remember - they will be used to wipe poo so beauty doesn't count much :)

Step 2: Trace squares onto your fabric scraps using your pen. Try not to use one that bleeds really badly. You can use a disappearing ink one if you like, but cut quickly then. Remember you can rotate the square to be a diamond too, if that makes more fit.

Step 3: Cut out your squares.

Step 4: Finish your edges. Zig zag or serge around them, use bias tape, or you can try to narrow hem them if you like, but I think it will end up too bulky and be too time consuming to be worth it. Just remember to pre shrink bias tape so it doesn't pucker after repeat washings. (sorry, no photo.  Hubby took the ones above, but I finished the project another day and forgot... oops)

You are done! If you choose to serge the edges as I did, take the time to tuck in the threads instead of just snipping them off. Use a needle to weave the thread ends into a few stitches and then cut off the excess. It is annoying and takes some time, but I skipped that step on my second batch and they are already unraveling.

Add fabric and trim to a travel wipe case to have a nice little matched set!

The nice thing about these is that when folded in half, they fit perfectly in a Huggies travel wipe case. I heard about people making 4x8 ones to fit in without folding, but I think that is too skinny to get the job done. Others say to use 2 squares of flannel back to back.  While this is attractive, my one layer guys are doing great, and I can't see justifying twice the bulk.  One travel wipe case full of cloth wipes us more than enough for one day's worth of changes for my 3 month old. I made about 35-40 wipes or so, and I never run out before wash day (about every other day). This is a great way to recycle old receiving blankets, too. I got some free off craigs list with some other baby stuff I was buying and added to my stash! Yay earth! Double win!