bibs

That's me in those photos with my kids "back in the day". Although I can't remember doing it, I must've made the green bib because a few pages on in the photo album my daughter is wearing pajamas in the same fabric. Anyway the photos are here because I've been sewing bibs again but this time for Little Sprouts using my own pattern that you can get here. 

The pattern is for a simple hard-wearing bib. Nothing fancy. You can use up pieces of leftover fabric and even back the bib using an old towel.

Materials:
durable fabric for bib front e.g. cotton, drill, polyester
thicker fabric for the back e.g. towelling, fleece
small piece of 2cm (3/4 inch) wide Velcro (loop and hook fastening)

1. Print the pattern to 100% scale. Cut out the pattern pieces and join together.
2. From your fabrics cut one front and one back piece. Seam allowances are included in the pattern.
3. Lay one on top of the other, right sides facing.
4. Join front and back together stitching all around the edge using a 1cm (3/8 inch) seam but leaving an opening along the bottom edge (as indicated on pattern piece) for turning.
5. Trim seams and clip corners.
6. Turn right sides out and use a pointy thing like a chopstick or knitting needle gently poke out the corners.
7. Press all over pressing under the seams at the opening. Hand or machine stitch the opening closed.
8. Top stitch all round about 6mm (1/4 inch) in from the edge.
9. Cut a strip of Velcro at least 3cm (1 1/4 inch) long. Attach the soft loop piece to the front of one of the neck tabs placing a short end just inside the top stitching at the end of the tab. Stitching all round the edge. Attach the rough hook piece to the back of other neck tab positioning it in more or less the same place near the top of the tab.

More free patterns for quick and easy baby bibs:
Front fastening bib
Oilcloth bib with a pocket - easily adaptable to sew in other fabrics. Plus some tips on how to sew oilcloth.
Bandana bib
Placemat bib - this one is a bit like a t-shirt with ribbing around the neck. Easily adaptable pattern. I might try this one myself.

Reading: Lonely Planet Scandinavia