Baby will look super cute wearing these bibs. The basic bib pattern can be customised with appliqué, hexagons, and decorative stitching to suit the baby in your life.  The bibs are made from sweet Japanese printed cotton, with an absorbent layer of soft flannel in the middle. They are finished with a bias trim and have a Velcro closure for easy removal.

Please read all instructions before commencing the project. Careful and accurate cutting and sewing is essential to ensure success with this project. It is recommended that fabric be 100% cotton, pre-washed and well ironed. Requirements are based on fabric 112 cm wide (44 in). A seam allowance of ¼ inch has been used in this project.

Materials (per bib):

3 fat quarters of quilting cotton

0.35 m white flannelette/flannel

1 package of bias trim (width 12-20 mm)

Fabric scraps for appliqué

Small piece of sew in Velcro

Fusible appliqué webbing (such as steam a seam).

Supplies:

Sewing machine

Scissors

Pins

Co-ordinating cotton thread

Hand sewing needles

Applique templates

Card

Clear Monofilament thread (such as sulky)

Embroidery thread

Spray on starch

Bib Template – pattern pieces 1, 2, 3 and 4

Pattern Pieces Part 2

Appliqué template – Apple, Star, Hexagon

Finished size:  32 cm x 25 cm

Method:

Cut Fabrics

Using bib templates – cut out

Fabric 1 – Cut one Pattern Piece 1 (Front Upper) adding ¼ inch to lower edge

Fabric 2 – Cut one Pattern Piece 2 (Front Lower) adding ¼ inch to upper edge; Cut two Pattern Piece 4 (Tab)

Fabric 3 – Cut one Pattern Piece 3 (Backing). Pattern piece 3 is made by taping together Pattern Piece 1 and 2 (without the ¼ inch seam allowances). Ensure pattern piece 3 is cut on the wrong side of the fabric so that when the bib is assembled the tabs are facing in the same direction.

Flannel – Cut one Pattern Piece 3; Cut one Pattern Piece 4

Pin the front upper and front lower pieces together with the right sides facing, and stitch together. Press the seam allowance open.

Stitch the tab piece to the front of the bib where indicated on the pattern (match up the X's).  Press the seam allowance open.

Stitch the tab piece to the backing of the bib where indicated. Press seam allowances open.

Stitch the tab piece to the flannel layer of the bib. Press seam allowance open.

Pin the bib front to the flannel layer.

Embellish

Embellish your bib following one of the styles below:

Apples:

Trace the apple design onto the paper side of the fusible webbing three times.  Cut around the design leaving approx 0.5 cm clearance. Position the apples onto the wrong side of some red polka dot fabric and press in place with an iron following the manufacturer's directions.  Cut out the apples and remove the paper backing.

Trace the three leaves onto the paper side of the fusible webbing. Cut around the design leaving 0.5 cm clearance. Position the leaves onto the wrong side of some green checked fabric and press in place with an iron following the manufacturers directions. Cut out the leaves and remove the paper backing.

Position the apples and leaves on the lower half of the bib as shown in the photo and press in place. Stitch around each shape with black thread using free motion embroidery, close to the edge. Stitch around each shape three times to secure and stitch through to the flannel layer. Stitch a stem on each apple. Pull threads to the back, tie them off and trim.

Hexagons:

Trace the hexagon shape onto card, and cut out 4 hexagon templates.  Pin the card hexagon to the wrong side of the fabric. Cut fabric at least ¼ inch larger than the paper piece. Fold the ¼ inch seal allowance over the paper piece and baste into position using large basting stitches.  To make a block of three hexagons, place right sides together and overcast pieces together using small whip stitches, just catching the edges of the fabric. When the three hexagons are attached, press the pieces lightly. Remove the basting and take out the card template. Pin the hexagons to the bib front as desired. Stitch around the outside of the hexagons using a scant seam allowance and monofilament thread to secure. Stitch a decorative running stitch around the hexagons using three strands of embroidery thread.

Star:

Trace the star design onto the paper side of the fusible webbing. Cut around the design leaving 0.5 cm seam allowance. Position the star on the wrong side of the red polka dot fabric, and press in place with an iron. Cut out the star and peel off the paper backing.

Trace the circle onto card and cut out. Pin the circle template to the wrong side of the pale blue stripe fabric. Cut out a fabric circle that is at least ¼ inch larger than the circle template. Moisten the edges of the fabric circle with spray on starch. Position the circle with the wrong side facing upwards on the ironing board. Centre the card circle on top. Press the seam allowance over the card to make a circle with the seam allowance pressed underneath. Position the star in the centre of the circle and press in place. Stitch around the star using a scant seam allowance or use a buttonhole stitch.

Position the circle on the front of the bib as desired. Slip stitch in place to secure. Using three strands of embroidery thread and a running stitch, stitch a line 1/4 inch from the seam line.

Assemble Bib

Layer the embellished bib front on top of the bib backing with the wrong sides facing and the flannel layer sandwiched in the middle. Baste around the outside of the bib using a scant seam allowance to hold all layers together. Trim the edges so they meet exactly.

Pin the bias tape around the outside of the front of the bib, mitring the corners of the opening, and stitch in place. Where the beginning and ending of the bias tape meet, stitch together with a mitred join. Fold the bias tape over to the back of the bib and secure in place with a slip stitch.

Cut  small piece of Velcro that is approximately 3 cm x 2 cm. Stitch the hook Velcro on the top side of the squared part of the tab (facing away from baby's skin), and stitch the loop Velcro facing downward on the underside of the rounded tab.

Designed by Lisa Cox, A Spoonful of Sugar

http://www.spoonfullofsugargirls.blogspot.com/