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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
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100% cotton fabric in cute prints
white flannel fabric
PUL - Polyurethane Laminate Fabric 64''-White Solid (joann.com). Can also be found on Amazon and at Hobby Lobby.
size 20 plastic snaps- I used some white Dritz snaps and some KAM snaps
hand awl - this should have come with the handheld snap tool or the table press
sewing machine
thread
sewing pins
iron
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.
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 trace the template onto the back of the top fabric.
Place pins within your drawn shape to hold it all together.
Cut out the bib.
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.
Starting just past the marked area, sew around the outside of the bib at ¼ inch.
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.
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.
Fold the unsewn area into the open seam so it looks like the rest of the bib and pin or clip in place.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
Place the adapter base into the 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Once you get started it's hard to stop making these adorable bibs!
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!