I decided to do a tutorial on this bib/smock for 2 reasons; one, it was so cute, and the other, I recall as a mum how difficult it was to try to keep a toddler clean just before going out…this would have solved my problems!
I enjoyed working with the lovely soft baby pink fleece and I loved the contrast with the cupcake bias binding.
What you will need:
Scissors
Pins
Sewing machine
Template (instructions below)
Velcro (other fasteners such as poppers can also be used)
Iron
Tape measure
Pencil
The Craft Cotton Company’s Pink Dimple Fleece (1m) and Cupcake cotton print (1m)
First, get template and cut fabrics:
I began by downloading the pattern from positivelysplendid.com which is the actual size of the bib, and very clearly marked to put it together as a template.
Folding the dimple fleece in half, place the template at the fold of the material. This ensures that both sides of the bib are equal.
Carefully cut around the template, but do not leave any seam allowance as the bias binding will cover the raw edges.
Next, make the binding:
The circumference of the bib/smock measures 60” so I drew 2 40”x 4” strips for the binding.
On the wrong-side of the fabric draw out the 2 binding strips to be joined by starting from one corner and drawing diagonally across the fabric at a 45° angle to create your bias binding.
Cut out your strips. Make sure that the small ends of the strips are cut at a 45° angle
Iron the binding and fold each of the long edges over by 1” so that the middle of the seams meet in the middle as the image shows.
This will leave the binding 2” wide. Iron the binding again for that the folds stay.
Sew the small ends of the strips together with a ½” seam allowance to make one long strip.
Do this by placing the edges cut at a 45° angle together in a ‘V’ shape with right-sides together.
Trim the binding edges where they have been sewn so that the seam allowance is trimmed down and there are no bits sticking out.
Fold the binding strip in half (the long way) and iron this fold.
Now, sew the bib and attach the binding:
We are now ready to top stitch the front of the bib.
Place the start of the binding on a part of the edge of the bib. Line the edge of the bib within the folded crease of the binding.
Do this for the perimeter of the bib and then pin it.
You need to stitch close to the edge of the binding and you will be able to feel the binding underneath that you will need to stitch through during this step.
As you progress, remove one pin at a time.
Regularly check that you are catching the binding from the back of the bib...it doesn’t matter if these stitches are not quite as neat as the top ones as this section will not be seen.
Making the arm holes:
Once you have completed the binding and it is securely in place, you are ready to begin the final stages of structuring the bib.
Turn the bib on its front so that the wrong-side is facing up. Fold the 2 sides of the bib over by 1”. Bring the shoulder parts over and down to meet the sides of the bib.
Place the shoulder flap over the top of the binding section of the bib making sure that there is a big enough gap for the toddlers arms (with extra room to make it easier to get on and off).
When you have decided on the size of the gap that you want, stitch a reinforcing square of approximately 1” where the shoulder binding is meeting the side binding. Stitch an ‘X’ in the box to reinforce further. Measure and mark the point for the opposite side and repeat this process.
Finally, add the fasteners:
When each separate shoulder flap is attached to each separate side, join the shoulder flaps together with a fastening.
Poppers can be used to fasten the bib, but I have chosen a Velcro fastening as I feel it places less strain on the fabric from little hands impatient to get onto the next thing!
If you have chosen poppers or Velcro, attach one to the wrong-side of one of the shoulder flap and the other on the right-side of the opposite shoulder flap.
And were done!
© By Sue Parnell for The Craft Cotton Company 2016