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Sewing bibs from jersey or cotton (incl. 2 sewing patterns)

07.09.2020 by Sabine Schmidt

Lätzchen nähen aus Jersey oder Baumwolle (inkl. 2 Schnittmuster)

Do you want to sew a baby bib? With my two free tutorials (including patterns) for a jersey bib and a cotton bib, you'll be sewing them in no time. Includes a video tutorial.

The most important things at a glance

  • In this post, you will find two free image and video tutorials including patterns for baby bibs
  • Jersey fabrics are perfect for the first bib version (slip-on bib)
  • The second bib version is best sewn from cotton fabrics
  • The sewing time for each bib is approx. 30 minutes
  • Thanks to the image and video tutorials, even beginners can sew these bibs in no time at all
  • The bibs are also wonderful for using up fabric scraps

I love sewing for kids and babies! Whether it's clothing, toys, diaper bags, or cozy baby nests: the results simply speak for themselves.

My two favorite little girls really like being able to put their bibs on by themselves. That's why I came up with the great jersey slip-on bib.

In this post, you will also find a tutorial for a bib made of woven cotton that is sewn with a Velcro fastener. Also very practical!

I will show you both versions in great detail in my sewing videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fabrics can the bibs be sewn from?

You can sew our two free patterns using both jersey and woven fabrics (cotton). Perfect for fabric scraps.

Can the bibs be closed with snaps instead of Velcro?

Of course! However, you should prefer to use metal snaps: Kam Snaps are often not as practical for daily use. And they cannot withstand heat from an iron.

Where can I find the free patterns for the bibs?

You can download the free pattern templates here in the post. Then simply print them out, glue them together, and you're ready to go.

Step-by-step instructions

Instruction 1 / 2

Version 1: sew a pull-on jersey bib

Pull-on bib made of jersey with a neckband — no fastening, so your child can pull the bib over their head by themselves. Suitable for all stretchy fabrics (jersey, sweatshirt fabric, French terry).

  1. Step

    Prepare the pattern and fabric

    Print out and cut out the pattern.

    Cut 1 pattern piece each for the front and back.

    Transfer the markings from the pattern to the fabric with a disappearing marker.

    Sew the cuff into a ring and divide it into quarters.

    Prepare the pattern and fabric
  2. Step

    Attach the cuff to the neckline

    Baste the cuff right sides together onto the first pattern piece — ideally place the seam at the back marking (at the nape), where it is least noticeable.

    Sew with the overlock or the overlock stitch of your sewing machine.

    Repeat the same for the second pattern piece.

    Attach the cuff to the neckline
  3. Step

    Join the front and back

    Pull one of the pattern pieces through the neckline and baste both pieces wrong sides together.

    Join the front and back
  4. Step

    Finish with bias binding

    Finish all the way around with bias binding, folding the beginning under by about 1 cm.

    Let the end overlap the beginning of the bias binding by 2 – 3 cm and sew it in place.

    Finish with bias binding
  5. Step

    Fold over and topstitch the bias binding

    Fold it over and stitch it down on the other side with a straight stitch. Done!

    Fold over and topstitch the bias binding

Instruction 2 / 2

Version 2: cotton bib with hook-and-loop fastener

Classic baby bib made of woven cotton with a hook-and-loop fastener at the neck. Bagged out from two mirrored pattern pieces with a turning gap. The pattern includes 1 cm seam allowance.

  1. Step

    Transfer the hook-and-loop markings

    You need 2 pattern pieces from cotton (cut as mirror images) and 2 cm of hook-and-loop tape.

    Transfer the marking for the hook-and-loop tape to the pattern pieces.

    Placement: the soft loop side goes on the marking at the upper curve, the rough hook side on the marking at the lower curve.

    Transfer the hook-and-loop markings
  2. Step

    Sew on the hook-and-loop tape

    Sew the hook-and-loop pieces onto the markings with a straight stitch.

    Sew on the hook-and-loop tape
  3. Step

    Pin the pattern pieces together

    Place the two pattern pieces right sides together with the edges aligned and pin them.

    Pin the pattern pieces together
  4. Step

    Mark the turning gap and sew

    On one straight side, mark a 5 cm turning gap through which you will turn the bib right side out afterwards.

    Sew the two pattern pieces together with a 1 cm seam allowance and a straight stitch — remember the turning gap.

    Mark the turning gap and sew
  5. Step

    Trim the seam allowances

    Trim the seam allowance all the way around with pinking shears, cutting to 3 mm from the seam.

    The seam allowance at the turning gap is not trimmed, so that we can fold it under neatly after turning.

    Trim the seam allowances
  6. Step

    Turn and press

    Turn the bib right side out and press it.

    Fold the seam allowances of the turning gap neatly to the inside and press.

    Turn and press
  7. Step

    Topstitch the bib

    Edgestitch around the bib with a longer straight stitch (e.g. 3.5 mm), closing the turning gap as you go. Done!

    Topstitch the bib

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About the author

Sabine

I come from Siegen-Wittgenstein, where I spent my childhood breaking in cows, jumping off haystacks and scraping a D- in needlework class.

Today, being creative feels like indescribable happiness to me – and it grows even more when I can share it with others. Since 2016 I have been celebrating my passion for sewing on this blog, and I love that sewing connects so many people.