Making Cute Bandana Bibs

Add a bit of Wild West charm to your baby's bibs.

A stylish alternative to the traditional tie-back bibs, bandana bibs mimic kerchiefs worn by cowboys and ranchers around their necks and to cover their mouths during dust storms. Treat an expectant mother with a set of handmade bandana bibs in prints and colors to match her nursery. Embroider the name of the child on each bib or stitch on felt appliques. Since babies go through bibs almost as quickly as diapers, moms can't have too many.

Things You'll Need

• Receiving blanket, cotton or flannel
• 1 yard cotton fabric, printed
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Needle and thread
• Sewing machine (optional)
• 3-inch strip hook-and-loop tape

Instructions

1. Cut a 16-by-12-by-12-inch triangle from a cotton or flannel receiving blanket. Cut a 16-by-12-by-12-inch triangle from one yard of cotton fabric in a colorful print, such as paisleys, flowers, zoo animals or stars.

2. Stack the two triangles with the printed sides facing each other. Pin along the edges of the triangle with straight pins. Sew the sides of the triangle; if you use a sewing machine, skip over the straight pins as you sew across so you don’t break your needle. Leave a 3-inch gap unsewn along one of the sides of the triangle.

3. Remove the straight pins. Turn the bib right-side-out by pushing the fabrics through the gap you left unsewn. Sew up the unsewn portion using a blanket stitch.

4. Spread out the bib -- receiving-blanket-side facing up -- on a flat surface with the 16-inch-long side running horizontally across the top. Affix a 3-inch strip of hook and loop tape on each end of the 16-inch side of the triangle. Place one part of the fastener on the side of the triangle with the receiving blanket fabric, and position the other part on the side with the printed cotton fabric. Sew around the perimeter of each side of the hook and loop tape to secure the fastener to the bib, even if you are using self-adhesive hook-and-loop tape.

5. Place the bib on the child with the printed cotton fabric facing out. Attach the bib by overlapping the ends with the hook and loop around the back of his neck.

Tips & Warnings

• Used receiving blankets may be used, if desired, rather than purchasing new ones.