How to Make Large Baby Bibs With Protective Backing

Making baby bibs yourself is quick and easy with a few basic supplies.

Toddlers make big messes, and very often need big bibs. Buying bibs can get expensive, and sometimes they don't have the protective backing that can save clothes and furniture from a variety of spills. With a few basic supplies, you can make your own bibs in a short amount of time. They cost less than they do in stores, they are fun to make, and they work well. They are also fully washable and very sturdy.

Things You'll Need

• Main fabric
• Waterproof backing fabric, such as oilcloth
• Scissors
• Velcro
• 1/2" double-fold bias tape
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Saucer, at least 6 inches wide
• Soluble fabric marker
• Pins

Instructions

1. Cut your main fabric and waterproof backing fabric into a large rectangle, measuring 11 inches wide by 15 inches tall. Place your fabric wrong sides together and pin around the edges.

2. Place your saucer three inches down from the top edge, centered in the middle of the fabric. Trace the saucer with the soluble marker. Cut on the line you traced, and cut a line from the right edge of the circle to the outer right edge of the bib. This cut allows for an easy on-and-off opening on the bib.

3. Remove the pins. Turn the bib so the main fabric is facing you, right side up. Place your bias tape, narrow side up, around the outside edge of the bib, making sure to fold it carefully on the corners. Continue placing the bias tape around each neck opening into the neck circle. When you are done, both the inner and outer edges will be encased in the bias tape. (See Reference 1, "1 Step Binding")

4. Sew around the outer perimeter of the bib with a straight stitch and a 3/8" seam allowance. Stop at each corner with the needle down, lift the presser foot, and turn the bib. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam. Sew carefully around the neck opening and inner neck circle. (See Reference 2, Page 1, Straight and Corner seams)

5. Cut your Velcro into a 1 inch piece. Place one piece on the backing fabric of the upper neck opening. Place the remaining piece on the main fabric of the lower neck opening. Sew around the edges of each side with a straight stitch to keep in place.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer a rounded look to your bibs, use the saucer edge to trace a rounded line on each corner. Cut on the rounded line, and you have a whole different look.

References

• Wrights: Applying Double Bold Bias Tape
• Sewing: Simple Seaming Techniques