Basic chenille baby bibs - tutorial

OK - As requested, here is a tutorial about how I make my chenille baby bibs.  A couple of notes first...

--I received bibs like this from my friend Tonya when Bea was a baby.  She had a little business making bibs and blankies.  I loved them so much that when I started sewing a year or so later I soon tried my hand at them, using her bib shape as a starting point.  I loved using the fabric bibs for Bea's meals.  To me, they were just more comfy then plastic bibs and I just threw them in the wash with the placemats/napkins/towels. 
--I have made them in a smaller size for tiny droolers and in larger sizes for messy toddlers.  This pattern is for a medium size. 
--As with my other tutorials, I am assuming that if you are seeking sewing advice from ME, you are a beginner - so I'll probably explain stuff that some of you don't need to know.  Just skip over it.
--You can click on the photos to see them a little bigger. 

First, you'll need a pattern.   Download bib_pattern_pdf.pdf
Cut it out and tape the two pieces together, matching up the registration lines.   

(A) I like to transfer my bib patterns to freezer paper so I can use the iron to temporarily adhere the pattern to the fabric.  This just makes it easier to cut out the fabric, especially the chenille.  I find that you can use the same freezer paper piece over about 6 times before it looses it's sticky. 
(B) Cut out two copies of the pattern -- one chenille for the front of the bib and one cotton for the back of the bib.  (Obviously, you don't have to choose these fabrics  -- it is just what I do.  The chenille is so soft and does a really good job at absorbing drools and dribbles and also catching crumbs.  It's bumpiness also serves to hide little imperfections in the seam edges - something I've come to really appreciate.  It is available at most fabric stores these days or online.)

(C) Place the two pieces right sides together and pin them all around.  Make sure you leave an opening at the bottom of the bib big enough to turn it right side out.  I use two pins to mark where I want to start and stop sewing if my brain isn't trustworthy that day.
(D) Now, sew - backstitching at the beginning and ending of your seam.  I use a GENEROUS 1/4 inch seam -- probably more like 3/8 inch really.  I find it works best to always sew with the chenille on the bottom.
(E) Flip your bib right side out now, using your hand or a pencil if needed to push the fabric at the points all flat.  Iron the seams flat so everything is laying how you want it.  Use the iron to help you finish your seams in the open spot at the bottom and use pins to hold it closed.  Then top stitch close to the edge all around the bib, starting at the beginning of the opening.  Oh - now might be a good time to say that I tend to construct my bibs with thread that matches the chenille -- the stitches will then really just disappear into the pile.
(F)  Now I cut a little square of sew on velcro and sew it on to the top of the bib as shown above.  I tend to put the fuzzy side of the velcro on the chenille side and the pokey size of the velcro on the cotton side.  Of course, if you prefer (and have a snap attacher) you could use a snap here. 

OK - Done!  Pretty darn easy, eh?  I have made most of my bibs like this - simple and plain.  I have noticed that some people don't use "fancy" hand-made bibs cause they don't want to get them dirty.  So if I want folks to use them I don't spend a lot of time embellishing.  You are free to get as fancy as you want of course!  Here are a couple of ideas that I've tried.

Variation #1:
Just cut a nice, smooth shaped applique from the backing fabric and sew it (raw-edge applique) to the chenille with a very short/narrow zig zag stitch (sometimes called a satin stitch for some reason.)  I don't bother with fusible cause the bumpy chenille hides most of my sins.  If you capture the raw edges under the line of stitching it really holds up wash after wash very well.  Tonya made Bea a Hello Kitty bib like this and it was her favorite and it still looks great.  Oh, and I do this on the chenille side before sewing the sides together though I guess it wouldn't hurt to do it after.

Variation #2:
Use up your scraps to make the back a patchwork and get all crazy with ricrac on the front (attached to the chenille before the front and back of the bib was sewn together.)

--Just sew scraps together to make a mini quilt big enough to use for your backing fabric and cut your back out normally.  I try to lay out the pattern so there aren't too many seams at the top of the bib "handles" (what would you call those?) or on the curve under the chin -- No big deal but bulkiness in those spots just makes things more difficult.  (If you want a more regular patchwork look and don't know how to do patchwork, check out my other tutorial on a patchwork blanket.) 
--Since I intend for these bibs to be used and washed repeatedly I think it is nice to topstitch the seams of this patchwork (as is shown above, right) now before sewing it to the chenille.  I think this just helps the seams lie flatter.  Just sew a line of stitching in the middle of each seam after you press them to one side.

OK - I hope this helps you.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Now, go make your own fun bibs!  Leave me a comment here if you make bibs from this tut.  I'd love to see your creativity.

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You can check out my Project Photo Album for pictures of different bibs I've made.  I've also given matching chenille burp cloths as a novelty/nicety.

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Edited to say:
The pdf is meant to be printed on 8.5x11 paper.  The pattern is approximately 10.5x14 inches. The pattern includes a 3/8" seam allowance so the big will finish slightly less than an inch smaller. 

Comments

[Susanna]

Thanks so much for this! I've always loved your bibs. I have a baby shower to go to soon as well, you saved me!

[Jude]

Love the tutorial. Glad you are back.

[M]

Thank you Thank you Thank you!!! I have been wanting to try my hand at these and this will be the perfect opportunity. They are so cute.

[laeroport]

Wow, we must have some brain meld going. I'm busy with all kind of baby bibs/burb cloths, etc at the moment.

And I always have to mark where to stop sewing with a green heart pin (as seen in my yoc2 pink+green photo). Otherwise I just keep sewing and then have to start ripping. ;)

Great tutorial, Amy.

[Rose]

Love the bibs, thanks for the pattern sharing. I'd like to start making these to go along with my standard knitted hat for the everpresent baby showers at work. I kind of hate the Babys R Us gift registry system of gifting.

[Amanda]

yay! I was wondering how you did the patchwork ones! When this baby starts sleeping more I'm getting back upstairs to sew some more. Can't wait to use my scraps to try a patchwork bib!

[tracy]

fantastic! thank you!!

[Sam]

this is great - thank you so much for sharing!!!

[julie]

thanks amy
someday I hope to pay back and put a tutorial on my blog. but since I am a blog baby I am doing good to post pics.
can I just say I am addicted to making the strip scrap quilt. I have made 4 this last week. gave one as a gift to my mom for her bday(posted on blog) and I also organized my scraps today to make more scrap quilts
all brought on my amy
thanks so much
julie

[Carla]

Thanks for the great tut! I've been planning on making some of these. You've saved me lots of work! Your bibs look great!

[Jox]

these are great, i was only thinking last night about making some bibs for a baby who is about to be born any day now, and then your tutorial turns up on CRAFT, how spooky and cool.

[Jenny]

Yes, i'd like to place an order for more bibs......!!!!

[Natalie]

You really are generous and very helpful with your tutorials. I can't believe it: I have finished 3 squares inspired by your X-scrap quilt tutorial... I will post about it and sing your praises soon. Thank you very much for sharing your sweet skills!

[kelly jeanie]

Thank you! This is a great pattern, I can't wait to try it out.

[Danetta]

Thank you for sharing this pattern. I have been lookind for a good one for quite a while and this is the best I have seen and I love the tutorial.

[Lei]

I've made a few "lazy" bibs. Maybe I could hack these one day. ;)

My meme is up... thanks again. Oh, and you should be able to comment now. I didn't realize I had my comments open to registered users only.

[CharityGrace]

What a great tutorial!

[Christina Mano]

Hi:)

Thank you so much for the tutorial! I started printing out the pattern yesterday because I wanted to try it out:) But I don't know what I did wrong but the size seems too big:( It looks like I could use the bib myself... So I was just wondering; is the pattern supposed to be printed on two A4 sheets of paper? Could you please give me some rough dimensions maybe at the widest and longest part of the bib so I could scale it correctly? That would be super:)Don't know if I'm the only one who has had that problem and what I'm doing wrong so I would appreciate any tips you could eventually give me:)

All the best,
Christina

[Christina Mano]

Thanks for the clarification:) Those are the measurements I get so I can just go ahead and make a great bib as a gift for my friend's wee son:) Thank you very much.
I will try and post pictures somewhere of what I come up with:)

Christina

[amisha]

your tutorials are always so so good!! thank you for this fantastic step-by-step.
i am missing my sewing machine so much... e is shipping it to me this week :) it's like withdrawal.

[Julienne Farkas]

Awesome! I cannot wait to try these!

[water works]

Thanks so much. I just found it today. I hadn't been checking since you were to be "off" for awhile. I really appreciate the tutorial and can't wait to check my fabric stash this evening!!!

[Lynn]

I love it! Thank you so much for sharing!

[Coralee G.]

thanks for the tutorial....looking forward to trying it out!

[Loopy]

I just saw this on sew, mama, sew & it is PERFECT! I've got 2 ladies about to pop, and these would be so adorable!
Thanks for the pattern!