How To: Make a Baby Bib (with free bib pattern)

Whether you are expecting a new baby or you are making a gift for someone who is, you know bibs are essential. I know at a certain point it's like you need 3-10 bibs a day depending how good your kid is at drooling.

This project is nice and quick and doesn't have many steps. The big decision is what fabric(s) to use. I had some PUL fabric or water resistant outer layer. I then picked a light weight fleece for the other side to absorb some moisture. I would recommend picking a fabric that will suck up the moisture or you will be defeating the purpose.

You can choose cute fabric or even use an old t-shirt (using the logo or image). You can add shapes or iron on things to add detail to your project.

Start with the pattern. You can use your own or Download my Bib Pattern

Fold or cut the pattern on one of the "tape lines" and line it up with the other tap line. Your pattern should look like this.

 

Cut along the outer most line. This pattern includes 1/4" seam allowance.

 

 

 

First cut out your pieces from the fabric(s) that you have chosen. You can even make this bib reversible based on this pattern it should be able to be reversed. Lay your pattern pieces both face up. This means the side you want facing out make sure they are both facing up. Next put your Velcro on the top left as indicated by the pattern. I put the fuzzy side on the "outside" or front fabric. then place the hook side in the same spot on the inside fabric.

 

 



 

 

The sandwich to two together. You will know it is right when you have a piece of Velcro on each side. Then sew all the way around with 1/4" seam allowance leaving an opening at the bottom of the bib. Leave yourself 3-4" across the bottom. The easiest way is to start on one end of the bottom and go all the way around ending at the other end of the bottom (see middle picture). Next be sure to clip your project on the rounded curves to ensure professional results. For my quick explanation on clipping click here.

 

 

This is why you should clip your seams.....

 

 

Clipping will help you flip your project right side out and have less issues.

 

You're almost done.

Now flip your project right side out. You should have an opening like the center picture. Fold the opening sides inward and make sure the bottom looks even all the way across. You can pin the section if it makes you feel more comfortable. Then top-stitch all the way around the outside of the project between 1/8" and 1/4". I lined up the bib on my presser foot like this.

 

 

 

 

And there you have it!!!

 

How To: Make a Child's Nightgown from an Adult T-shirt

 

 

 

 

     So I started this project because children's nightgowns have become very thin and cheap in my opinion. Every time I go to the store to buy something I look at the nightgowns and decide against purchasing and always saying " I could make that" in my head. Problem is, I usually don't get around to actually making it. I am proud to say this is the one time I came home on a full speed mission.

 

     This project took me 3 hours (with many little interruptions). I would estimate it could go together within an hour based on your sewing speed. I started with a nightgown that we bought a while ago. I used this as my pattern. I also grabbed an old t-shirt that I would have been donating.

 

 

Supplies You will need:

 

Scissors, Straight pins, a ruler, Child's nightgown for pattern, t-shirt, sewing machine, (serger optional)

 
 

 

 

     The great thing about t-shirt material is that it will not fray on you so you really don't need a serger but you can certainly use one if you have one.

 

 

Let's Begin!!!

 

 

 

 

     First you will want to make sure your child size nightgown will fit within your t-shirt size. This t-shirt was an adult medium. next cut off the sleeves and cut down the sides (as close to the seam as you can so it's not uneven). Then separate just the front piece. Line up the neck (the front neckline of the nightgown) to the neck line of the t-shirt. You will be using the original neck to avoid having to finish off your new nightgown!!Make sure the shoulder line is touching the shoulder of the original t-shirt (even if only at the corner of the neck). Next fold in the sleeves of the nightgown down to the

arm hole seam. Cut around this (one) side of the night gown from the shoulder- through the arm hole and down to the bottom at the side. Leave about 1/2" seam allowance all the way around the nightgown. SAVE YOUR SCRAPS!!You will need little extras for later, don't throw anything away until you are completely done.



 

Your new neck opening should look like this:

 

 

     Next, fold the cut side over to the non-cut side and cut around it to make both sides even. Cut across the bottom evenly to make a nice straight bottom. Then line up the front to the back at the shoulders and cut around the back so you have a front and back of the nightgown. Line up the shoulders with the right sides of the nightgown together pin the shoulders and stitch straight across> Just sew the shoulders right now (don't get too excited and sew anything else just yet).

 

 

 

     Now on to the sleeves!!! The picture at the top left is the sleeve just as it was cut from the shirt with the folded edge pointing upward. Next place the child's nightgown sleeve on top of the shirt sleeve lining up the original edge of the sleeve this will once again help you because it will be less finishing at the end!!! Then pin down the child's sleeve so it stays in place. Flip the child's nightgown over so you can see the edge of the arm hole. Cut leaving 1/2" seam allowance. Note: your new sleeve should have this shape (bottom picture) and this is folded in half.

 

 

     Line your sleeve up. Start by placing the sleeve facing down (look at the finished edge if you get confused). Place a pin in the center of the sleeve matching it up to the center of the shoulder. Then also line up the side and center in between these two (third picture) Doing it this way gives you "landmarks" and then you can continue to go in between each of these pins until you have pinned the entire sleeve in the armhole. Sew this armhole opening. Tip: while pinning and/or sewing stretch the fabric and it will line up and lay flat against one another.

 

Your sewn arm opening should look like this. The side seams are not yet sewn.

         

 

 

Line up your sides and bottom of the sleeves with right sides together. They should line up like the picture on the left. Pin all the way down (right) and sew together.

 

 

     Go back to your scraps and cut off the finished edge of the original shirt. Leave a small amount above the original stitches when you cut. Line them up to the new nightgown and make sure you have just enough. Cut down to correct size if needed.   Next, pin the hem to the nightgown and stitch down on top of the original stitches.

 

 

TA-DA!!!





 

Now you can add details.... if you want..... or  maybe not?

Here's what I did:

 

 

     And there you have it!