Molly's Sketchbook: Bandana Bibs
My baby daughter, Guadalupe, is now 3 months old and growing like a weed. I love watching her evolve more and more into a person every day, smiling, grabbing, and following me with her eyes. One recent development that I haven’t exactly relished, however, is drooling. The girl is a drool machine! Within minutes of dressing her in an adorable onesie, a big wet stain seeps down the front. Not cute!
I thought about adding a bib to her ensembles, but every one I tried made her look like she was ready to eat. I wasn’t looking for anything waterproof or heavy duty, just something to contain the flood! Then I remembered that when Whitney’s son was a drooly baby he wore a bandana all the time. I realize now that it’s the perfect solution!
These Bandana Bibs are simple to make, easy to wear, and will make your baby look like the cutest little cowgirl (or boy) on the block! I made them with Kokka’s spunky small and large Gingham and elegant Liberty of London for a sweet bit of contrast. Best of all, they address the drooling issue in a playful and pretty way. If you’d like to make a set for your own little one (or for your next baby shower!), please visit my Bandana Bib journal here!
Materials
To make a set of three 3-month sized bibs:
- 1/2-yard of three different light weight fabrics for the outer fabric. I used Kokka Fabrics Small Gingham in Beige and Brown, and Liberty of London Tana Lawn in 7071K Edenham
- 1/2-yard of three different light weight fabrics for the lining. I used Liberty of London Tana Lawn Classic prints in 2031C- Blue Emilia's Flowers, 4099C Mark Blue, and Large Gingham in Beige
- One package of sew on snaps in size 3
- 100% cotton thread in color 1040
Note: If you'd like to get less fabric you can get three identical bibs out of a 1/2-yard of outer fabric and a 1/2-yard of lining fabric.
Cutting and Sewing
Cut a 13-inch square from the outer fabric and lining.
Pin these squares right sides together.
Sew the squares together along all four sides with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, leaving an un-sewn 3-inch gap in the middle of one side.
Snip off the corners.
Turn the piece right sides out through the gap. Press the square flat and pin the lining to the outer fabric along all four sides and across the gap.
Edge stitch around all four sides. This will close the gap.
Folding and Finishing
Orient the square diagonally with the lining facing up, then fold the top corner down 1-inch above the bottom corner so that 1-inch of the lining fabric shows, as pictured above. This is the right side of the bib and the point is the front of the bib.
Pin all of the layers together along the top left and right sides of the top fold.
Sew the fold down with a 1-inch long seam at the left and right sides 18-inch from the top fold.
Hand sew the snap on at the left and right corners of the triangular shape.
Make sure that it snaps closed neatly.
Fold the top fold down 1-inch towards the front of the bib. Pin this fold down at its center
Tack the fold into place by hand stitching a few stitches in place at the pinned point. Sew slightly towards the back of the fold to hide the stitches.
All done!
September 23, 2012
Reader Comments (23)
Can I ask you if in the last step you hand sew an invisible stitch all the way or just at the center? Thank you.
Maria (Portugal)
ciao ciao Christa
The last step is just at the center point, not all along the fold. Thank you for your question!
Molly
love your work
Beautiful fabric combinations--the neutrals with the prints.
And she is adorable.
These bibs are much shorter, diagonally, than a regular bandana and aren't long enough to be tied. But thank you so much for your concern and for your kind words about the project and the baby!
Best-
Molly
I don't have an 18 month old to try it on so you might need to do some trouble shooting. Off the top of my head I think cutting 14 1/2 inch squares would probably work. It's a fairly loose fitting item so it doesn't have to be exact.
Thanks for your question!
Molly
I have made one with 13'' vs 13'' and it fits my 3 year old son... it seems that i can make it smaller for younger babies... I will send you a link to the photo, ok?
here is the photo of my 3 year old with your bib made by your directions:
http://pinterest.com/pin/72479875224213062/
What is your opinion? Thank you Molly
Your version looks adorable and it's good to know that the size is so adaptable. I really liked the loose fit on my baby because it made it seem more like a scarf and less like a traditional bib. But if you want it to be more snug you could make it smaller.
Thanks so much for writing in!
Molly
You might want to try the original size because it does fit loose and as you can see from MJL's comment it can even fit a 3 year old!
Thanks for your comment!
Molly
Thank you so much Molly
have I told I love your blog? ;^)
http://pinterest.com/pin/72479875224340555/
she was so happy about this that ask me for a few more :))
They're so much cuter than the simple one layer ones. Thanks!
Take care, Dedri.
http://www.lookatwhatimade.net/diy/waste-not-want-not/from-t-shirt-to-baby-bandana-bibs/
What is the purpose for folding it down an inch in the last/second to last step?
Thanks! Looking forward to making some!
The little tuck in the front makes it dip down a bit at the chin and lay flater. You can see this effect most clearly in the second photo from the bottom.
Thank you for your question!
Molly