ruffle bib tutorial :)


So, besides being super duper cute and my daughter Sadie’s all time favorite new bib, this little number is also useful at catching those pesky globs of applesauce/spaghetti/drool! Want to make your own? Here’s how:

You’ll need:

a bib to trace for your pattern

two bib pieces, one for the backing and one to sew your ruffles to

a selection of fabric strips, cut 3/4 inch wide (although you could easily make them larger or smaller to your liking!) and long enough to cover your bib front while ruffled. Mine were probably about 18 inches or so…varying lengths. It’s a great way to use up skinny scraps!

basic sewing tools: sewing machine, thread, rotary cutter is handy, pins, etc…

First, you’ll cut out your bib pieces…one for the back and one to sew your ruffles onto. Then cut out your fabric strips…I ended up cutting out 10 strips, 2 each of 5 different fabrics.

Next step: make your ruffles. An easy way to get nice ruffles is to set your stitch length long (straight stitch of course), and make sure you have a good “tail” of thread on the start and finish, then sew down the middle of your strip…and kind of tug on your top thread (coming from your spool) as it goes through the machine. Don’t pull it hard, just kinda hold it back a little, and the ruffles will appear like magic! Then, using one of your “tails” (hehe), use that to gently pull and gather the strip to your liking!

Arrange the fabric ruffles on your bib piece to your liking…probably would have been easier before I ruffled them, oh well!

Next, pin to your bib and sew over your ruffle stitch as closely as possible. It’s ok if it looks messy, it’s the shabby chic look we’re going for anyways.

Pin and sew down the rest of your fabric strips!

Next: pretend I had a picture of me pinning and sewing the two bib pieces right sides together, with 1/4 inch or so seam…leaving about 2 inches of space along the side for turning.

Now, pretend I have a picture of me turning it right side out, and pressing it with an iron around the edges.

Alright, after those pretend pictures…now we’ll top stitch around the bib about 1/4 inch from the edge. Then, set your snaps/attach your velcro…whatever you’d like for the closure…and you’re done!

Corner the closest cutie you can find and force her to try it on. End up letting said cutie wear it the rest of the day cause she likes it so much. That made this mama very happy!


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Comments

  1. This is so cute. Is it okay if I put a link to it on my blog?

  2. this will be the perfect project for all the scraps I’ve recently accumulated! By the looks of it, each ruffle edge is not treated (serged or hemmed)? Is there a lot of fraying after going thru the laundry and does it still look adorable?
    Jess
    jbeedelightful.blogspot.com

  3. This big is so cute! I will have to try it for my sister’s baby shower in a couple weeks!

  4. Absolutely adorable, gotta make this!
    thanks!

  5. I have a desire to sew today and this is just the project!!! Adorable! Thank you!

  6. Anonymous says

    Just saw this on the SewCanShe blog and had to make it right away!! Looks great but have a feeling after going through the wash its going to fray like mad! Did yours do that? Am thinking i should probably serge the ends if i make another one…..

  7. Anonymous says

    Also wondering about fraying…

  8. Hi! I love this tutorial. The bib is gorgeous! What did you do about fraying?

  9. Hi Jess! I just made two of these for my blog (http://jessicababbles.wordpress.com/2014/09/26/ruffles-everywhere/) and uploaded the picture to your flickr. hope you like them.

  10. Sandy Haney says

    I have tons of ribbon, so I used that for the ruffles. It works great and, since the ends are sewn into the side seams, there is no fraying. This is a great project. Thanks for sharing!

Trackbacks

  1. […] They are the cutest thing ever and instantly decided that is what I would make. Jess, over at Craftiness Is Not Optional is fantastic, and I have made several of her other tutorials before for […]

  2. […] Here is a VERY cute ruffle bib tutorial.  I might have to make a few of […]

  3. […] CRAFTINESS is not OPTIONAL you’ll find the instructions for making this ruffled baby bib. If you like the shabby chic […]