How to Make Baby Bibs Out of Diapers

Make a baby bib from a cloth diaper in just a few steps.

Crafting handmade baby bibs from cloth baby diapers can result in one-of-a-kind bibs that are as fashionable as they are durable. The added thickness and absorbency of a cloth diaper baby bib provides enhanced protection from baby food spills and bottle dribbles. By following a few steps, you can turn an ordinary cloth diaper into a unique bib for a baby of any age.

Things You'll Need

• Prefold cloth baby diaper
• Scissors
• Water soluble pen
• Thread
• Sewing machine
• Baby bib
• Ribbon

Instructions

1. Check for uneven edges on your diaper. If it has an uneven edge, cut that edge and then sew a new, straight hem.

2. Lay a bib on top of the diaper to serve as a pattern. With a water soluble pen, mark the cutting line by tracing the neck opening.

3. Remove the bib and measure approximately 5/8 inch from the original line to mark the sewing line. This line can be dashed or dotted to help avoid confusion between the two lines.

4. Sew a straight stitch along the dotted line before cutting the fabric along the solid line to make the neck opening.

5. Finish the cut edge by using the overlock stitch on a sewing machine.

6. Sew narrow, color-coordinating satin or grosgrain ribbon at the top of the bib on either side of the neck opening.

7. Use straight pins to attach the ribbon, patches or other decorative pieces to the desired positions on the bib.

8. Sew a straight stitch to securely attach the ribbon and embellishments to the bib.

Tips & Warnings

• Cloth diapers are available in flats and prefolds, which are also known as Chinese prefolds. Prefolds are made from 100 percent cotton and are available in a variety of sizes from preemie to toddler sizes. Birds-eye weave diapers may be more difficult to work with and should be avoided.

• If you do not want to cut and sew a new edge, attach a piece of fabric or lace to the bottom to disguise the uneven edge.

• Look at the stitching on the diaper to find the raw edge. Consider the side with the raw edge to be the back of the bib.

• If you use iron-on transfers, sew them to the diaper to ensure they are secure.

References

• It's Sew Karen: How to Make Diaper Burp Cloths