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Apr 5, 2023

Sew the baby bib that's cute and waterproof


Three handmade baby bibs hanging on a wooden board next to a stuffed lamb.

I LOVED these bibs when my kids where young! I searched for a while to find one that kept them dry, was cute and that they didn't mind wearing. These are made with cute cotton prints on the front, a piece of white flannel in the middle to absorb all the wetness, and a fabric called Polyurethane Laminate, or PUL, on the back. PUL is typically used for diaper covers and it’s waterproof on one side and soft fabric on the other.

Because the fabric is waterproof the kiddo stays dry no matter what they spill on themselves. But it’s not crunchy and stiff like plastic bibs.


Plus, you can use some really cute fabric for the front because you can choose any 100 percent cotton pattern. I like to use KAM Snaps for the closure because they are easy for a parent to use and hard for a kid to take off. And, you don’t have to worry about accidentally catching your child’s hair or clothes with any Velcro (I speak from experience here).


I use this free pattern over at Nana Company Pretty Little Things for the shape of the bib. It’s just the right size and very easy to sew.


You can watch the video tutorial here:

Supplies

This post may contain affiliate links which means at no extra cost to you I may receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links.

Let's get started

Start by printing out your pattern. I printed on card stock so it would be a bit sturdier and hold up longer.

Two pencils taped together to add a 1/4 inch seam allowance onto a baby bib pattern.

Before you cut out the entire pattern you need to add a ¼ inch seam allowance to it. I cut the bottoms of the two pieces just at the dashed line and tape the two pieces of the pattern together.


Now just tape two pencils together (stay with me here) and trace along the line of the pattern. This way one pencil is drawing on the pattern line itself and the other is drawing the same line ¼ inch away. Easy peasy.


Cut out the rest of the pattern.


Lay out all your fabric so you have a fabric sandwich – on the bottom is the PUL with the shiny side down, then the cotton with the wrong side up (this puts the right sides together – the fabric side of the PUL and the pretty side of the cotton.) Next lay your flannel on top.

Using a fabric marker to trace around a sewing pattern onto a piece of fabric.

Using a fabric marker trace the template onto the back of the top fabric.

Placing sewing pins inside a pattern drawn on fabric.

Place pins within your drawn shape to hold it all together.

Using fabric scissors to cut out a baby bib pattern.

Cut out the bib.

Using a fabric marker to mark a 2 1/2 inch section at the bottom of a pattern.

Leave your pins in and add two more marking off a 2 ½ section at the bottom as an area you will not sew right away so you can turn the bib right side out later. You could also use your fabric marker to mark this section.

Using a sewing machine to sew a 1/4 inch seam allowance onto a bib.

Starting just past the marked area, sew around the outside of the bib at ¼ inch.

Using a wooden stick to push fabric corners right side out.

Turn the bib right side out. Make sure to get all the corners and edges completely flipped out. I use a poky stick that came in a bag of Poly-Fil and you could also use a pencil or chopstick.

Ironing seams after sewing a fabric bib.

Now use your iron to iron the top cotton piece of fabric and press the seams down. Avoid ironing the back because the PUL might melt.

Folding a fabric opening in on itself in order to sew it closed.

Fold the unsewn area into the open seam so it looks like the rest of the bib and pin or clip in place.

Using a sewing machine to sew closed an opening on a baby bib.

Starting with the unsewn area, sew at 1/8 inch around the entire bib. This is called top stitching and it helps to hold everything in place. It also closes the hole you flipped the bib right side out with.


Let's talk closure.


It's time to add a snap or Velcro at the top of the bib straps. These areas are marked on the pattern. I eyeballed it to find my placement.


If you are adding Velcro, sew the pieces onto your straps - one on each side.


I used some plastic Dritz snaps and my KAM Snap Press. In the past I have also added snaps using the small metal tool you can buy, or a handheld snap press.


You can click here to be taken to a video tutorial for adding snaps with the KAM Snap Press.


If you are using plastic snaps, get all your pieces ready to go.

Plastic pieces and dies used in a KAM snap press.

For both the male and female sides of the snaps you will need a cap which is the one with the pointy piece in the middle.

Plastic male pieces and dies used in a KAM snap press.

You will also need one male piece which looks like an outie belly button (the left side of the photo are all the pieces needed for the male side of the snaps.)

Plastic female pieces and dies used in a KAM snap press.

and one female piece which looks like an innie belly button. (The right side of the photo are all the pieces needed for the female side of the snaps.)


Let's start with the male side and get the KAM Snap Press ready.

Hands putting the adapter base into a KAM snap press.

Place the adapter base into the press.

Screwing a male die onto a KAM snap press.

Screw the male snap die into the press. This is the one that resembles an innie belly button - the reverse of the actual snap piece itself.

Using a handheld awl to punch a hole through three layers of fabric on a baby bib in order to install snaps.

I like to install the male snap portion on the left side of the bib. Use a handheld awl to punch a hole through all three layers of fabric on the left strap.

Pushing a plastic cap through the back of a baby bib to install snaps.

From the back side of the bib, insert the pointy cap piece into the hole you just made until it is all the way through all three layers of fabric.

Installing the male portion of a snap onto a bib.

Now on the front of the bib place the male (outie belly button looking one) onto the part of the cap that is sticking out.

Installing the male portion of a snap using a KAM snap press.

Carefully place it all into the press with the cap down so it sits flat.


Press down hard on the press handle. I put my weight into it and lean on the handle.


Carefully remove the item from the press.


Now it's time for the female side of the snap.


Unscrew the male die from the press and screw in the female die, which looks like an outie belly button (the reverse of the piece of the snap itself).


Use an awl to punch a hole through all three layers of fabric on the right strap.

Pushing a cap piece into a hole on a fabric baby big in order to install a snap.

From the front side of the bib, insert the pointy cap piece into the hole you just made until it is all the way through all three layers of fabric.

Installing the female portion of a snap on a baby bib using a KAM snap press.

On the back of the bib place the female (innie belly button looking one) onto the part of the cap that is sticking out.


Carefully place it all into the press with the cap down so it sits flat.


Press down hard on the press handle. I put my weight into it and lean on the handle.


Carefully remove the item from the press.

Six waterproof fabric bibs made with a KAM snap press and snaps.

Once you get started it's hard to stop making these adorable bibs!

An adorable baby wearing a handmade fabric bib with snaps.

And just look at how cute they are when they are being worn! The cuteness factor may go up exponentially if you have someone extra adorable to model them for you.


I would love to see your creations! Please tag me on social @findmecrafting with photos of your bibs.


Happy crafting!



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