One of these bibs has been tucked in a drawer at my grandma’s house for as long as I can remember. It has been used by many a grandchild and great-grandchild, washed over and over again, and it still looks good.
When I had kids, I realized that I needed some bandana bibs of my own. They’re absorbent, provide adequate clothing coverage, and are challenging for cranky eaters to yank off. The best part about these bibs isn’t their indestructibility or protective qualities, though- it’s a simple, adorable project to make!
Want to make some bibs for yourself? Can you cut fabric and sew a straight line? Then read on for the tutorial…
Want a bib of your own, but not in the mood to DIY? I’m giving away a bandana bib (read the details and enter at this post), AND there is a second one up for grabs at Aly & Ash!
Materials
To make two bibs, you’ll need:
- one bandana
- one cotton dishtowel
- thread
Craft stores like Hobby Lobby and Joann have a wide variety of bandanas to choose from, and Walmart usually has some unique designs in the women’s accessories section. Cotton dishtowels in coordinating colors are easy to find; I usually pick mine up at the dollar store.
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Instructions
Cut the dishtowel in half, horizontally. Cut the bandana in half, diagonally (from corner to corner). A rotary cutter and straight edge make this task a piece of cake, if you have them. Now you should have two sets of pieces that look like this:
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Fold over the raw edge of the bandana, and then fold it over again so the raw edge is encased inside the fold. My fold was about a quarter of an inch wide, but your measurement doesn’t have to be exact. Press the folds and pin (if necessary). Stitch the entire length.
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With the right side of the bandana facing downward, arrange the dishtowel (also right side down) so the width of the raw edge matches the width of the bandana. Pin into place.
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Flip it over and pin the edges of the bandana to the dishtowel.
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Attach the dishtowel to the bandana by stitching along the “V”, following the hem stitching of the bandana edge.
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Flip it over with the wrong side facing you and trim off the excess dishtowel, leaving at least a quarter inch allowance. (This will fray when you wash it and it looks kind of cute. You might even want to experiment with making the frayed edges visible on the front of the bib.)
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From the front, stitch along the edge of the “V” with a zig-zag stitch to reinforce everything.
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Your finished bib should look like this:
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And you’re done! (Unless, of course, you’re ready to make another one with your remaining set of pieces…)
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Download a PDF file of this tutorial
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This tutorial is provided for personal use only. Please do not sell it or use it to create items for resale. This tutorial may be republished only with my permission. Thanks!
Don’t forget to check out the sites that this tutorial is linked up at!
I might even be able to sew this! So excited for this tutorial! Thanks Denise!
Those bibs are too adorable. I have been in desperate need of a baby gift! Thanks for saving my behind. I’m so running to the store to whip up a few of these. I’m over from Aly & Ash.
Love this! I have been on the lookout for bigger toddler-sized bibs, but they are so hard to find. I still have trouble with the whole sewing-a-straight-line thing, but I might have to give this a try!
Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills party!
THanks for this great tute! I am so gonna make some of these!
These are so cute!
And thanks for checking out my 4th of July shirt. I have become addicted with freezer paper this week too- made 4 shirts already! haha!
What a great idea & probably really comfortable too. Thanks for linking up to Craftastic Monday. I’d love for you to add the party button:)
Nevermind – I just found it. Glad to meet a fellow crafty homeschooler too!
I love it! I have a link party on saturdays that I would love for you to join
http://www.iamonly1woman.blogspot.com
That is absolutely fabulous. I’ll be making one for my friend – her daughter manages to get food on her clothes no matter what!
And sewing in a straight line? Um….mostly straight….
This is really cute…and sew simple..maybe even I could do it! LOL I need to make little girl ones though but maybe switching out the fabric would do it. Thanks for sharing a good idea!
These really are simple to sew- I promise! Julie (and anyone else doing this for a girl), I’ve seen so many cute bandanas with flowers and other feminine designs that would be perfect. Since I’m sewing for boys, I always have to sadly pass them by! I know that my local Walmart has some adorable floral prints right now.
These are adorable! What a great idea, I love the extra coverage these give. And you could make these in so many cute patterns!
I couldn’t decide if the bib or the precious little boy was cuter and that cute little face wins hands down. Now the bib, that’s wonderful also
I like it that it actually covers the front of the shirts and ‘catches’ the food that normally stains the T’s. Easy to make. I have 2 grandbabies and they are messy little things. My daughter would love these bibs.
Thanks so much for linking to Woo Hoo! Wednesday and joining the party.
Hugs, Marla
This is so darling. I have an 11 month old grandson, and guess what his memaw is going to make for his birthday! He is a messy, messy little man that loves to eat at his memaws house. He will even get on the phone and tell me he wants “nanas” (bananas). So yes, I am going to make some for him. Thanks for the tutorial!
The model in you post is adorable too.
Awww, those are so cute! I need to make some for my little guy! And cute little model too
I love this idea and the bandana makes it soft near their face. Great job!
Forget the bib. I’m drooling over that gorgeous little blue eyed boy! The bib is a cute idea though. Mine are too big for them now, or so they think.
That is so cute! Your little model is adorable too!
Thanks for linking up to Make it Yours Day!
This is too cute! Great idea! You model is ADORABLE! : )
Ooooooooooh super cute – I must make some for my niece…
Aw, that is so cute for a little cowboy
Thank you for linking this to A Little Craft Therapy, with Life in the Pitts.
I love it! Such a cute idea and it must really stop the drips from going down the neck!
I LOVE THIS! Inexpensive and easy, my type of project!
Thanks for linking up with What are little boys made of?
That is so cute and easy, and what an adorable model. Thanks so much for linking up!
This is just TOO cute! I love the puppy print on the bandana. This would definitly keep the food off the clothes. Great job!
Jennie @ Cinnaberry Suite
So cute – I wish my boys were still old enough to wear bibs so I could make one. I love, love, love it! Brilliant idea!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Jen @ Noting Grace
What a cute idea!
I’m hosting a blog party right now and I’d love it if you stopped by and linked up. Hope to see you at Saturday is Crafty Day!
Thanks for linking up to Saturday is Crafty Day @ along for the ride! Hope to see you back next week!
Hi..I’m Barb from Fri. Follow. I am your newest follower. I hope you will get a chance to visit my blog @ santasgiftshoppe.blogspot.com
& get inspired by something for your family/home. I hope you will follow me as well.
What a fabulous idea! My son is a little older but still needs a bib and I think these would be perfect! Would love to have you stop by the Sunday Showcase Party if you get a chance ~ Hope you are enjoying your weekend! Great tutorial – Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for stopping by and linking to the Sunday Showcase! Hope you have a great week! I greatly appreciate it! Love these bibs! ~ Stephanie Lynn
Hello! I’ll be featuring your bib today! Stop by and grab a featured button if you like! Thanks for joining the Sunday Showcase Party! ~Stephanie Lynn
Thank you for joining my hodgepodge party! I love it! I hope you will join again.
~Gay~
itsahodgepodgelife.blogspot.com
I made one of your bandana bibs. It turned out great and it was one of the easiest/fastest sewing projects I’ve done. Thanks for sharing the tutorial.
I put a picture up of the one I made here…
http://cuteasafox.blogspot.com/2010/04/winning-tile-and-other-projects.html
My model isn’t anywhere as cute as yours though!
Thanks!
Ashley
Oh my, how cute is this! If my kiddos were still using bibs I would be running off to make this! Thanks for linking up to Be Inspired last week.
Chelsea
Hi! I love your website. I host a link up party called TOT TUESDAYS every Tuesday where people share their recipes, crafts and activities for toddlers. I’ve also currently got a giveaway for a Mother Earth scarf at the moment. I hope you’ll stop by:
http://www.mydeliciousambiguity.com/
Hey Denise,
Awesome bib! And great tutorial! thanks for sharing. I’m so glad you joined the Craftaholics Anonymous Support Group
happy crafting,
Linda
Adorable! I whipped up two for gifts this morning. Thanks for the awesome tutorial!
Thanks for this tutorial!! I love, love, loved it.
Here are my first bibs: http://thosenorthernskies.blogspot.com/2010/05/brilliant-bandana-bibs.html
That is wonderful. Found your post by wandering through a couple different blogs. My 7 month old has figured out how to take her bibs off just this past week, and so I will be grabbing supplies and get sewing on a couple of these!!! Thank you for the tutorial.