Molly's Sketchbook: Bandana Bibs

My baby daughter, Guadalupe, is now 3 months old and growing like a weed. I love watching her evolve more and more into a person every day, smiling, grabbing, and following me with her eyes. One recent development that I haven’t exactly relished, however, is drooling. The girl is a drool machine! Within minutes of dressing her in an adorable onesie, a big wet stain seeps down the front. Not cute!

I thought about adding a bib to her ensembles, but every one I tried made her look like she was ready to eat. I wasn’t looking for anything waterproof or heavy duty, just something to contain the flood! Then I remembered that when Whitney’s son was a drooly baby he wore a bandana all the time. I realize now that it’s the perfect solution!

These Bandana Bibs are simple to make, easy to wear, and will make your baby look like the cutest little cowgirl (or boy) on the block! I made them with Kokka’s spunky small and large Gingham and elegant Liberty of London for a sweet bit of contrast. Best of all, they address the drooling issue in a playful and pretty way. If you’d like to make a set for your own little one (or for your next baby shower!), please visit my Bandana Bib journal here!

Materials

To make a set of three 3-month sized bibs:

• 1/2-yard of three different light weight fabrics for the outer fabric. I used Kokka Fabrics Small Gingham in Beige and Brown, and Liberty of London Tana Lawn in 7071K Edenham
• 1/2-yard of three different light weight fabrics for the lining. I used Liberty of London Tana Lawn Classic prints in 2031C- Blue Emilia's Flowers, 4099C Mark Blue, and Large Gingham in Beige
• One package of sew on snaps in size 3
• 100% cotton thread in color 1040

Note: If you'd like to get less fabric you can get three identical bibs out of a 1/2-yard of outer fabric and a 1/2-yard of lining fabric.

Cutting and Sewing

Cut a 13-inch square from the outer fabric and lining.

Pin these squares right sides together.

Sew the squares together along all four sides with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, leaving an un-sewn 3-inch gap in the middle of one side.

Snip off the corners.

Turn the piece right sides out through the gap. Press the square flat and pin the lining to the outer fabric along all four sides and across the gap.

Edge stitch around all four sides. This will close the gap.

Folding and Finishing

Orient the square diagonally with the lining facing up, then fold the top corner down 1-inch above the bottom corner so that 1-inch of the lining fabric shows, as pictured above. This is the right side of the bib and the point is the front of the bib.

Pin all of the layers together along the top left and right  sides of the top fold. 

Sew the fold down with a 1-inch long seam at the left and right sides 18-inch from the top fold.

Hand sew the snap on at the left and right corners of the triangular shape.

Make sure that it snaps closed neatly.

Fold the top fold down 1-inch towards the front of the bib. Pin this fold down at its center

Tack the fold into place by hand stitching a few stitches in place at the pinned point. Sew slightly towards the back of the fold to hide the stitches.

All done!