Babies + Polka Dots + a free Pattern

I love sewing for babies.
And I love sewing baby gifts.
They're just so easy and only take bits of fabric.

My favorite way to give a gift is the semi-homemade approach, mixing handmade with store-bought products.  Best of both worlds. 
So when JOHNSON’S® asked me to partner with them and their newly designed bottles, it was a polka dot match-made-in-heaven.  Too cute, right??

Ahhh. I love this stuff.  And I love it even better with chevrons and dots---cause I'm a total sucker for cute packaging.  But the baby wash and lotion are both so great.  All my kid have used it.

Hey, I even use it!---I have a travel-size bottle of JOHNSON’S® baby lotion I take on trips because it's one of the few lotions that doesn't feel sticky on my hands (and I just love that fresh baby smell).

So I was asked to create a DIY project inspired by the new bottle designs of JOHNSON’S® baby lotion and JOHNSON’S® baby moisture wash, sold exclusively at Target stores and Target.com.

So I did what any of you would do.
I went to Target.
And bought every bright-colored towel I could find!
I knew exactly what I wanted to share:

Bibs!
They're so easy to make!  And they can double as a burp cloth, drool wipe, whatever you need.
I'll show you two cute version using terry cloth towels.

Then package it all up with JOHNSON’S® baby moisture wash + JOHNSON’S® baby lotion....and it's the gift that keeps giving, from snack time to bed time.

And your friends will be all like, whaaaat?
You made this for me??

Yes!   That's what friends + polka dots are for.
Okay, let's get started....

I've shared the Placemat Bib Pattern before, which I still love.  But this pattern is great because it fits any size head with a velcro closure in the back.

First, print the FREE PATTERN HERE.
There are two pages.
• Print at 100%. Do not "scale to fit". Check the 1 inch or 1 cm box to make sure you've printed to the proper size and adjust your printer if needed.
• Cut along the top pattern piece on page two and match it up with the bottom pattern piece on page one (at the black triangle).  Tape the pages together.
• Cut out the appropriate "size".

Now this pattern is sort of a one-size fits all.
So the two different "sizes" refer to a Single-layer bib and Double-layer bib.
• The Single layer is finished off at the edges with bias tape.
• The Double-layer is sewn together around the edges and turned right-side out (with a 3/8 inch seam allowance).
So grab your pattern and a fun towel and I'll show you both methods.

DOUBLE-LAYER BIB

I can't decide which bib is easier to make--the single layer or double layer---it's a toss up.

Of course the real fun of this pattern is the fabric, or the towel you choose.  You can use many types of fabric for these bibs: standard cotton, knits, laminated cotton, diaper rags, terry cloth (towels).  Or you can mix it up with a towel on the back and a cotton on the front.  Many options.

When making a double-layer, choose towels that are not overly bulky or it will be hard to topstitch around the seams.  I found all these towels in the bath section of Target.  You can also use beach towels!

And just a note on terry cloth---it's messy.  There's no way around it. There will be little bits of towel on your clothes, table, and floor.  But it's a quick vacuum clean-up when you're done---so let your OCD simmer as much as you can till the end. 

 

Refer to the photo below.
• Cut out a front and back for the bib.  Fold the towel in half, place the pattern "on the fold" and cut out your first layer.  Then lay the first piece on your other towel and cut out the second layer.
• With right sides of the fabrics together, pin the two layers together, leaving an opening on one side, big enough for your hand to get in and out (see black dotted line)
• Stitch around the bib with a 3/8 inch seam allowance, leaving an opening (just use a standard straight stitch).
• Trim some of the bulk from your seam (but do NOT trim the area with the opening, or it will be hard to turn under)
• Turn the whole thing right-side out, and really use your hand inside to press all the seams out.
• Pin the opening closed.
• Sew the opening closed with a 1/8 inch seam allowance and continue topstitching around the entire bib.

• Now cut two small pieces of Velcro to create a closure in the back.  I like to round off the edges and trim each piece into an oval shape.
• Sew one velcro piece to the back neck area, and sew the other velcro piece to the opposite side, on the OTHER layer of the bib (in other words: sew one piece to the front layer, one to the back layer)

And you're done!
One soft, cozy, absorbent, reversible bib!

SINGLE LAYER BIB

Some towels look awesome on both sides---like these polka dot ones.  So a single layer is another great option.  PLUS we get to use Bias Tape, which I love!  (read all about it and watch my video here).
You can use store-bought double-fold bias tape, or make your own.  1/2 inch-wide bias tape will be easiest to work with, but I really like the look of 1/4 inch-wide tape as well.  

• Using the "single-layer" pattern piece, cut out one bib piece on the fold.
• Grab double-fold bias tape and sandwich it around the raw edge of the towel.  No need to pin anything in place...
• Sew the bias tape in place, using a thread color that matches your bias tape.  Use your hand to continue sandwiching the bias tape and sewing portions at a time.
• When you get to the curves, go slow and just do your best.  It helps to lift your presser foot periodically (leaving the needle down), to readjust and to get the bias tape snug around the fabric edge.
• When you get to the end, fold the edge of the bias tape under and lay the end right over the start point and sew it in place.

This method of sewing bias tape is sort of the quick-and-easy way.  For a more proper method, check out this video and this tutorial. 

Now sew the velcro pieces to the back and you're done!

One single layer, reversible bib.
Of course with all those leftover towels....you can easily make 10, right?
Cause we know every mom can use them!

Now kick up your feet and relax, cause your baby shower gift is done!

 And when things start getting messy....

Mama knows the beloved baby bath is just one step away. 

Mmmm.  I can smell it now.

Thank you JOHNSON’S® + Target for sponsoring this post.  You can purchase the newly designed bottles of JOHNSON’S® baby moisture wash + JOHNSON’S® baby lotion exclusively at Target and Target.com.