Toddler bib and smock

At some point, babies start feeding themselves. Using a spoon and fork are wonderful milestones, but a toddler bib is needed when the baby bibs don’t cover enough territory when yogurt, oatmeal, and other goodies are involved. Here is a toddler bib I designed based on one of our family heirlooms.

Supplies

You will need two pieces of fabric 30 inches wide by 14 inches, matching thread, coordinating double-fold bias tape (2 yards), a new size 14 needle, chalk or a sewing marker, a 1-inch safety pin, and scissors. I used two cute cotton animal prints, but you may want to use terry cloth for the inside fabric.

Instructions for toddler bib

• Wash and dry the fabrics exactly as you plan to wash and dry the bib. Press and cut.
• Cut 32 inches of the bias tape. Fold in a half inch at each end then top stitch along the long side.
• Place the two fabric pieces wrong side together. Fold in ½ inch along the sides and press. Fold and press ½ inch again. Topstitch ¼ inch from the inside edge.
• Along the bottom edge, fold in ½ inch and press. Fold again to make a 1-inch hem and press. Stitch ¼ inch from the inner edge.
• Next you will make a casing along the top edge. Fold in ½ inch along the top and press. Fold again to make a ¾ inch casing and press. Stitch close to the edge.
• To make the armholes, measure 4 ¼ inches from the side edge. Measure 1 ½ inches down from the top edge and mark a dot. Measure 5 inches more towards the center and mark a dot. Mark a third dot 7 inches from the side edge and 4 ½ inches from the top edge. Connect the three dots in curve (it should look like a smile). Cut open through both layers. Repeat for the other side.
• Cut two strips of double-fold bias tape each 19 inches long. Starting at the center bottom of the armhole, insert the edge of the armhole into the fold of the bias tape. Stitch along the edge of the tape. At the end, fold ½ inch of the raw edge in, overlap over the beginning of the tape, and finish stitching. Repeat again for the other armhole.
• Firmly pin the safety pin into one end of the 32 inch bias strip. Feed the pin through the top casing. Tie a single knot into each end of the drawstring. Adjust the bib to fit the child’s neck and make the two free ends even.

Let’s talk story

My mother’s aunt, Tía Rosa, was a couture seamstress for a Magnin department store in San Francisco. She made the original smock for me. She passed love of sewing down through our family. It makes me happy to see my grandson wearing this version.

I’ll look for questions in Comments or lisa[at]thecasabouquet[dot]com.

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