I have bronchitis. For some reason when i'm too sick to go to work, I feel the need to sew. So here's what I did yesterday.
This is the only bib Silas will wear any more. Further more, he'll run around the house in it all day if I let him. I doubt anyone out there will even make one, but either way I felt the need to show you how easy it is, or if you want to buy one, I sell them
here.
Gather Materials.
Starting at top left.
2" x 27" Strip of decorative fabric
Raglan sleeve* with same decorative fabric
Bias Tape (I go the easy route and buy it) You'll need 2@ 15" strips and 2@ 9".
14" of 3/4" elastic
16" x 24" Kitchen Towel. (Smaller can work too, just add fabric where you are short!)
6" x 26" Reversible fabric for pocket (it will go upside down when un-snapped. Use a laminated fabric if you have it!)
Tie* cut from fabric of choice
Fork and Spoon* cut from fabric of choice
Hook and Loop, or other form of closure for back (I use a longer loop strip to allow for an adjustable fit)
Contrasting and/or coordinating thread.
Not pictured, but you will also need:
4 snaps if you are making the pocket
Wonder-Under or other fusible lining
It's also helpful to have a water-soluble pen to mark your towel
Sew on Raglan Sleeve Fabric.
Image 2:
-Draw a line down the center of your towel on both sides. This helps for placement.
-Place inner edge of raglan sleeve template 4" from center and mark where the cut will go across the rounded bottom edge. Sleeves should be 8" apart (you can do 7" for a smaller towel bib)
Image 3:
-Pin sleeve in place and zig zag stitch around entire edge staying as close to the edge as possible. (see image 4)
-Repeat on other sleeve.
Create Arm Holes.
Image 5:
-Cut around bottom edge where previously marked. Careful NOT to cut into stitching or up sides (see image 6).
-Repeat on other sleeve.
Image 7:
-With 1 or your 15" bias tape, snip the back part so the top will lay over the upper sleeve while the bottom part will fold over the edge of the rounded end.
Image 8:
-Pin in place. Make sure to snip the opposite side as well. Sew around about 1/4" from open edge of bias tape (see image 9). Be sure to so slowly over the rounded edge so you do not get pleats and remember to back stitch at beginning and end.
-Repeat bias tape process on other sleeve. Trim off excess Bias tape.
Finish Arm Holes
Image 10:
-Using your 9" Bias tape, pin over the edge of the inside arm hole, covering the loose towel edge. Trim any excess bias tape.
-Sew around in the same fashion, 1/4" from open edge of bias tape.
-Repeat on other sleeve.
Image 11:
-To reinforce the corner of the arm hole, run a zig zag stitch, back and forth, over the top of the inner arm hole bias tape to the raglan sleeve, connecting the two pieces with more stability. Be sure to lock your stitch at the beginning and end.
-Repeat for the other corners on both sleeves (see image 12).
Add a Fork and Spoon
Image 13:
-I can never get Wonder Under to pull off easily, so I trace my shapes, cut them out slightly smaller than the outline, and separate the fusible interfacing from the paper backing (see image 14).
Image 15:
- Using your center line and a measuring tape as a guide, place your fork and spoon where you like it, fold your pocket-to-be into place (it will be 4" deep) when you do this to see how it will look.
Image 16:
-Moving one at a time, place your fusible interfacing under each shape. Follow instructions on interfacing to adhere (I use a damp tea towel and iron for 12-15 seconds)
Image 17:
-Sew over your shapes. I attempted a "sketchy" look on these for the first time. (Using contrasting thread here would really make them pop)
Cover the Pocket
Image 18:
-Iron a 1/4" seam on one of the long sides.
Image 19:
-Pin the opposite long edge, right sides facing, on the front (the side with the fork and spoon). Each side should have an extra inch of fabric hanging over the edge.
-Sew along pinned edge with a 5/8" seam. Back stitch at beginning and end.
Image 20:
-Fold side edges to meet edge of towel. Iron in place.
Image 21:
-Iron 1/4" seam previously made back in place.
Image 22:
-Iron fabric open
Image 23:
-Turn towel over and wrap fabric around back side. Pin in place. Be sure to let the towel lay flat with no fold. The fabric should wrap around the edge like a quilt binding (this can be seen in image 38). Iron in place.
Finish Back Side, or "Smock"
-Sew around fabric pocket with 1/4" seam.
Image 24:
-Fold edges in when you get to them before going over corners.
Image 25:
-At the corners, with the needle down, lift the presser foot and turn fabric 90 deg. Remember to back stitch at beginning and end.
Image 26 & 27:
-I chose not to use fusible interfacing under my tie, but you can use the same process as for the fork and spoon if you'd like. Otherwise, just place the tie, lining it up with the top edge of the towel, pin in place, and sew it on.
Create the Casing for the Elastic Top
Image 28:
-I used a 1/2" bias tape maker to create a casing. Just insert fabric, pull it through and iron. Or iron 1/2" seams on both sides of your 2" wide strip of decorative fabric.
-You should now have a 1" casing to sew across the top of your towel.
Image 29:
-Sew one end of your casing with a 1/4" seam. Measured against the towel to give you the best fit, fold the other end under to cover the edge and give you a 1.5" - 2" tab on which to sew your hook and loop closure. Pin strip in place across top of towel.
Image 30:
-I place my needle as far right as possible and sew as close to the edge of my towel as I can, less than 1/4" if possible, just be sure not to go off the top edge of the towel.
-When you reach the end of the towel, continue on the fabric tab.
Image 31:
-At the corner, leave your needle down, lift your presser foot and turn 90 deg. Lower presser foot again and sew around tab, using this same method at the other corner of the tab.
-Continue sewing along bottom edge of casing with 1/8" seam.
-Be sure not to sew the side edges of the towel and the casing closed or you won't be able to put your elastic inside.
Image 32:
Using a large safety pin, slide you elastic in the casing.
Gather the Top and Sew on Snaps
Image 33:
-Inch your elastic along until the end can barely be seen, sew the edge of the casing closed making sure to sew back and forth over the elastic, holding it in place.
Image 34:
-Gather the top until the elastic comes out the other side. Stop when your safety pin is at the edge and sew back and forth over the elastic to hold in place.
Image 35:
-Fold pocket into place. Bring edge in slightly to create a bit of slack in front where pocket will drape open.
Image 36 & 37:
-Mark edge of pocket at end and directly under the arm hole with water soluble pen. Mark spot for snap on pocket. Lift and mark where the snap will go on inside, being sure two dots line up.
-Sew on snaps (see image 38).
Sew on Hook and Loop Closure
Image 39:
-Using a bit of Wonder Tape, place small hook and loop (hook side) on back of bib over the casing strip. Sew in place with big X across strip (see image 41)
Image 40:
-Again using Wonder Tape, place longer hook and loop (loop side) on the inside of the tab at other end. Sew in place again with an X across strip (see image 41 again)
Admire
Finished! Snapped in place, the pocket of the bib drapes open to catch the fallen. Tab closure at the back adjusts for a better fit. And inside out, with the pocket open the bib now becomes a smock to cover your kiddo through all sorts of art projects and what have you. Here's an idea... try
edible finger painting!
I don't mind if you make these for selling locally, but I sell on Etsy, please respect that and don't sell on line any you've made using this tutorial. I'd love to see images if any one makes one!
