Download this free printable Baby Bib Pattern and use your favorite fabrics or quilt block to make an adorable custom baby bib!
Everything baby is just so adorable. The miniature size, the soft and fun fabrics, and the overall adorableness. In fact, I don’t have any babies in our family right now, but I do like to have handmade baby items like these baby bibs, burp cloths, and blankets on hand for gift giving.
Custom Baby Bib
That’s what’s so fun about this pattern. You can customize it in so many ways. Here are a few ideas:
- Use the same fabric on front and back.
- Contrasting fabrics on front and back.
- Stitch together using binding.
- Try various fabrics:
- cotton
- linen
- flannel
- terrycloth
- minky or chenille
- Add embellishments like lace or rick rack.
- Incorporate quilt blocks.
- Or include a pacifier holder!
These are just a few ideas that come to my mind. Be creative. Have fun!
From top left to right, here is a description of each of the above baby bibs:
- For the sailboat themed baby bib I used the Stripey Sails Quilt Block pattern from Melissa at Polkadot Chair.
- The bunny embroidered and quilted baby bib was made using the Snuggly Woodland Bunny embroidery design from Embroidery Library.
- I created a miniature version of the Point the Way quilt block pattern from Gerri Robinson for the Riley Blake Designs Block Challenge 2024.
- Made using 2″ squares of scrappy fabrics to make the scrappy bib.
- Speaking of scrappy fabrics, have you tried the grid interfacing? I did not use it in this particular project, but it’s an amazing product. Check it out here on Fat Quarter Shop.
- Shabby Fabrics even has a fantastic video demonstrating how to use the grid interfacing. You can watch it here.
- You can see the 5 different styles of bibs that I made. All from this one pattern!
- And in the bottom right picture you can see the bib in the front is made from two different pieces of fabric. A fun woodland themed cotton fabric and for the back I used Soft & Minky Dots fabric from JOANN.
How to Sew a Baby Bib
These baby bibs are pretty easy to make. They will introduce you to:
- sewing curves
- working with stretchy fabrics
- attaching snaps (or velcro)
Supplies Needed
- (2) 10″x14″ pieces of fabric (cotton, flannel, fleece, minky, chenille, linen, etc.)
- matching thread
- plastic snaps, sew-in snaps, or velcro
Tools Needed
Video Tutorial
Of course, I created a video tutorial to show you how to make the simplest version of this baby bib pattern. You can watch the video on my YouTube channel.
Tips for Sewing a Baby Bib
Like I mentioned above, sewing baby bibs will give you an opportunity to learn how to sew curves and how to attach snaps or velcro. Here are a few tips to help make this process even easier.
Tip #1: Cut Fabric
Cut two pieces of fabric that measures 10″Wx14″L. So, you will cut the fabric you are using for the front and back of your baby bib using these dimensions. DO NOT CUT OUT THE FABRIC WITH THE PATTERN. Instead, you will cut it out AFTER you sew it.
Tip #2: Directional Fabric
If you are using directional fabric, be sure to keep that in mind and cut your fabric accordingly.
Tip #3: Trace the Pattern/Template
I recommend that you use the pattern as a template and trace it onto the wrong side of the bib front fabric. When you do this, be sure to place the template face down onto the back of the fabric so that the snap end of the bib will be on the left shoulder when you sew the bib together.
Tip #4: Use Lots of Pins
Once you have your pattern traced onto the wrong side of one piece of fabric, lay the two fabric pieces right sides together. Then pin along the drawn line of the bib. If you are using minky, chenille, or another fabric with stretch, be sure to use LOTS OF PINS. It takes a little more time to stitch, because you have to slow down to take out the pins, but it will be sooo worth it!
Tip #5: Sew then Cut
After you have the two pieces of fabric pinned together, you will stitch 1/4″ inside the drawn bib. Use a 1.8-2.0mm stitch length and start stitching at the bottom of the bib, all the way around, leaving a 2″ opening for turning.
Once you have sewn all the way around the bib (leaving an opening for turning), you can cut out the bib. Leave at least a 1/4″ seam allowance. Then snip and clip your curves before turning.
Tip #6: Press and Topstitch
After turning your baby bib right side out, use a chopstick, eraser end of a pencil, bone folder or your finger to smooth out the seams along the curves. Then press the seam nice and flat. Finally, you’ll topstitch about 1/8″ away from the edge. The topstitching not only closes the bib, but also adds a nice finished touch (and secures the seam as it will get lots of wear and tear with use).
Tip #7: Use Snap Closures
Although you can use velcro or sew-on snaps, I recommend using plastic snaps. THESE are the snaps I used.
Get the FREE Pattern
FAQs
Q: What types of fabrics can be used to make the baby bibs?
My personal favorites are cotton and chenille. But you can use terry, cotton, minky, knits, linen and so much more. I always try to keep the idea in mind that I want to use something that will be absorbent. So you can use cotton or linen on the front and maybe flannel or minky on the back. Your options are just about limitless!
Q: Do I have to quilt the fabric?
You do not have to quilt the fabric. I have made baby bibs using orphaned quilt blocks and even intentionally made quilt blocks caller than the instructions call for just so I can use them with these baby bibs.
If you do want to quilt your bibs, I do recommend that you use binding to finish the edges. Simply cut your fabric into 2″xWOF (width of fabric) to create enough bias strips for the bib.
Q: How do I make binding for the bibs?
Simply cut 2″xWOF strips to make binding for the bibs. It is recommended you cut the fabric on the bias since it will be stitched onto curves.
Q: How do I sew binding on the bib?
- First, fold under 1/4-1/2″ of one short end of your bias strip. Then starting somewhere along the front side edge of the bib, pin or clip the binding in place, lining up the raw edges, right sides together. So, lay the bias tape on top of the front of the bib so that the right sides are touching. Again, pin or clip the binding in place.
- When you get back to where you started pinning the binding to the bib, cut the bias strip leaving a 2″ tail. Lay that tail on top of the pinned bias and re-pin in place.
- Stitch the binding to the bib using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Be sure to backstitch to secure your stitches.
- Then simply fold the long edge of the bias tape towards the seam and then wrap the folded tape towards the back of the bib and pin or clip in place. Stitch close to the folded edge. Again, backstitch to secure your stitches.
More Sewing Ideas
If you enjoyed (and I hope you did) learning how to sew a baby bib, be sure to check out these other fun and beginner friendly sewing projects from Hooked on Sewing:
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