Okay, so I’m in love with bibs made of denim now. It started with Linda Permann’s tutorial on using your old jeans. I used her idea with a pair of maternity jeans (that I cursed the entire time I was pregnant, mind you), and I made 6 bibs for my babies. I backed them in quilter’s cotton instead of denim, which allowed me to make more.
By tracing bibs you already have, you can make a ton of bibs without ever printing a pattern. And by using denim, you don’t need interfacing or fancy showercurtain material. They’re easy to clean and don’t easily stain. And who doesn’t have spare jeans hanging around?
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I love the bibs I made my babies so much that I was inspired to make something similar for Cheryl’s baby, Daisy. And I photographed the process so I could share!
To make these simple-but-special bibs, you need a bib to use as a template, denim, ribbon, quilter’s cotton, pins, a sewing machine, and coordinating thread.
1) First fold the denim in half lengthwise and cut around one side of a bib. Or trace the bib onto the wrong side of the denim. Whatever you feel comfortable doing. I did this 3 times so I could make 3 bibs. Easy peasy.
2) Then pin ribbon to the denim. I measured 2 inches from the bottom and made certain the ribbon was straight. Put it wherever you like. Use as many pieces of ribbon as you like. Go crazy!
3) Zigzag along sides of ribbon with sewing machine. Add decorative stitches if you want. I followed along the edge of the ribbon and used different stitches on each bib. This only takes a few minutes but makes the bib look fancy & unique!
4) Pin denim to cotton, right sides facing.
5) Now sew around the edge, leaving about a 3″ opening at the bottom of the bib. My seam allowance was 1/2″ around the outside and 1/4″ around the neckline.
6) Trim edges to 1/4″.
7) Gently turn bib right side out, using closed scissors to carefully push out the narrow curves.
8) Press bib, and stitch along edges about 1/4″.
9) Choose a closure. I sewed snaps on my children’s bibs, but I decided to sew buttonholes and buttons on Baby Daisy’s (not pictured). Velcro is also a great option, although kind of easy to yank off if you’re an angry baby. [EDIT: Please note that buttons can be dangerous (choking hazard), and it can also be dangerous for the bib not to tear-away easily. My goal is for my children not to constantly pull off their bibs, although I don’t want for anyone to get hurt either. A bib with a button or a tie is only appropriate if baby is being monitored. Be smart, Friends. :)]
Now you’re done. Happy sewing!
June 1st, 2009 at 8:05 am
Yay! I love these bibs and I’m so glad you posted a how-to! I’m also glad to know that it IS possible to make a bib without interfacing. I tried a couple weeks ago (because I’m a dork newbie sewer who doesn’t know any better) and they were definitely “craft fail” material! I’d love to link to this, if you don’t mind!
June 1st, 2009 at 9:01 am
What a wonderful and different idea to use denim for bibs! If my children were small I would definitely have made them some of these….
Have a nice day :0)
June 1st, 2009 at 9:35 am
These are so adorable! I love how the denim contrasts the other colors you used. I’ve just learned about 5 new pregnancies among friends, so I will be doing lots of baby crafting in the next few months.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:11 am
How cute! I love the ribbon and stitching detail. It’s always fun when you have an excuse to use a decorative stitch :)
June 1st, 2009 at 10:12 am
Ohmygoodness! Those are absolutely adorable. I’ve been talking about how I need new bibs for baby-on-the-way, but they always seem over priced. I will definitely be making some of these.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:22 am
love this idea!! I wish I hadn’t just gone through all my clothes and donated them :(
June 1st, 2009 at 11:28 am
Thank you! I’m going to make these for sure. What a wonderful idea that is so simple to carry out.
June 1st, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Ahh! Thank you! I’ll be trying this out!!!
June 1st, 2009 at 12:46 pm
[…] bibs from Thimbly Things are absolute perfection. No interfacing and fewer stains? Um…Yes please! Plus, they’re just a […]
June 1st, 2009 at 1:01 pm
You should go into business and sell them to all the uncrafty moms of the world :-)
June 1st, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Thank you so much for sharing. I have a couple of friends who are due soon…so I’ll be trying my hand at these!
June 1st, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I haven’t really gotten into sewing all that much, mostly because I don’t want to “waste” the fabric because I’m sure I’ll mess it up! HOWEVER, I do have a couple extra pair of jeans, and some openmindedness (at least today), so I think I’m going to try this. It seems simple enough… We’ll see how it turns out! :D
June 1st, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Great way to repurpose those old jeans. Every mother needs lots of bibs.
Love this so much, it will be part of this month’s StashBuster post on BlogHer.
June 1st, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Thanks so much for the how to. These are so cute, and non-stain-showing is a must for bibs! I must add to my to-sew list!
June 1st, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Thank you for posting this! I am so excited to do this that I might do it tonight!
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:19 am
Darling!!! I love these and linked to them on somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:52 am
Love this tutorial. Thanks so much for sharing!
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:50 am
Awesome job on these bibs! I love the fancy schmancy stitching :) I think I may just have to whip some of these up.
June 2nd, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Great tutorial! Great ideas!
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:48 pm
These are great, love the repurposing and would certainly stand up to my little messy girl’s recent spoon-usage attempts.Thanks for the idea!
June 4th, 2009 at 5:50 am
What a cute idea! I’ll have to make some for baby showers as my “baby” is 20 years old. Wish I’d had these way back then. Thanks for sharing a great idea!
June 4th, 2009 at 10:38 am
awesome tutorial! And very clear. thank you!
June 4th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
i’m so glad to come across this. a zipper just broke on a pair that weren’t too fab on me anyway… good idea! thanks for sharing
June 4th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
[…] Read more from the original source: In praise of denim bibs | thimbly things […]
June 7th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Great idea - no iterfacing. Pre-quilted material also works well for bibs and you don’t have to add an interfacing. It embroiders beautifully.
June 8th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
[…] making spree recently {due to having 3 friends that are all expecting this summer} and I must give this tutorial from Thimbly Things a try - also a great way to use up old jeans. I hate to admit it, but I have […]
June 8th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Hello!
I really like your how to. I was wondering if I could translate it in French and add it to my list of how to as explained in my french post (http://www.petitcitron.com/index.php/form_howto.html)
Of course, your website would be quoted and there would be a link!
Thank you,
Perrine
June 12th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
This is a really great tutorial. And I love the fabrics you chose! Thank you!
July 11th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Cute, Cute, Cute. What a great idea. Thanks for sharing the how-to’s. Great last minute shower gift!
July 12th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
I just stumbled on your site!!! Fantastic!!! My kids are grown, but have you thought about how nice these would be for seniors who tend to spill and dribble (I feel like I’m getting there!). So much nicer and more dignified than the plastic, towel, or fabric bibs available elsewhere!!!
July 16th, 2009 at 11:14 am
These look great - from an ‘old’ mom’s perspective though, please consider using velcro for all bibs- safety is more of a factor than baby dear tossing said bib on the floor.
August 7th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Just adorable. My grandaughter is about two months +or - from having her first baby. She will need many bibs and I will have time to make them for her. She will love them.
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:02 am
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October 10th, 2009 at 5:01 am
[…] Sewing Month is over, but that doesn’t mean you should stop upcycling as you sew! Thimbly Things has found a cute new use for old blue jeans – baby […]
October 27th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
these bibs are absolutely adorable. thank you for sharing how you made them :-)
Caroline.
October 31st, 2009 at 6:42 am
[…] 8. Repurposed denim bibs (just found this one today). […]
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:33 am
They denim bibs are absolutely adorable! What a great idea. If anybody is looking for adult size bibs or clothing protectors, check out Bibit Creations at http://www.bibitcreations.com. They are for the special needs population. They save so much time and effort for caregivers. And they add a little bit of cheer for those who wear them. Waterproof, durable and even with crumb catchers. Thanks!
February 16th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
These bibs are simply beautiful. Made some for my friends baby. Thank you for sharing your ideas. I will be making more, my friend is having another baby. Yeah!
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:52 pm
I love these bibs. I am just wondering what kind of sewing machine you have that can do such fancy stitching. I need to buy a new sewing machine and would love to have one with that kind of ability.
March 18th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
[…] Denim Bib (upcycled from some old jeans, and backed in matching striped fabric – inspired by this site). […]
April 15th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
[…] jeans to denim bibs project is my current success story, and therefore my favorite project. The tutorial is quick and easy, and I’ve been making them in assembly line fashion as I’ve cut out […]
April 16th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Thanks for the great tutorial - I’ll be linking up at Dollar Store Crafts on Sunday!
April 17th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
[…] Embellished Denim Bibs: Wow! These are gorgeous, turn a basic denim bib into something so sweet. […]
April 18th, 2010 at 8:55 am
[…] Bibs are so cute! At Shanghai Cowgirl [tutorial] (check my scrappy Star Wars bib tutorial here, […]
April 20th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
These will be perfect for my little nephew who is on his way out soon.
Jana
May 24th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
These are so gorgeous, I just made a whole bunch for my son out of old jeans and old baby clothes to decorate them. Backed with left over curtain material so very waterproof as well. They look fantastic and everyone comments on them.
awesome idea, thanks for the inspiration.
May 27th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
Oh goodness! I’ve been making bibs for about a year, mostly with flannel, and sometimes with cotton woven on one side and flannel on the back. I never thought to use denim. Now you’ve given me even more options, and another way to de-stash. I thank you and my husband thanks you for the de-stash idea!
May 29th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
[…] one pair of regular jeans you KNOW you’re never going to fit into again) and turn them into easy to clean, durably and fashionable baby bibs! ReeseDixon.com has a gread tutorial, too, for homemade burp-cloths, and for preemie baby beanbags […]
September 20th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
I commented back in May and finally made two yesterday. They turned out so cute, with ribbon, ric-rac, and some scraps of trim in my stash of things-not-to-be-thrown-out-because-eventually-I-will-use-them and coordinating flannel on the back. Thanks again for this idea, because I never would have thought of denim for bibs!
October 7th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
[…] by jill (JPG Pattern) Bib from Martha Stewart (PDF Pattern) Bib from Urban Threads (PDF Pattern) Denim Bib from Thimbly Things (How-to) Infant Bib from Chickpea Sewing Studio (PDF Pattern) Neckerchief-Bib […]
February 3rd, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Hello, I made these bibs today and it was super fun, easy and I can’t wait to make more! Too bad I can’t upload a picture :) Thank you for the awesome tutorial!
February 24th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
Hi! These are so cute. Lots of great comments too. I would love to make some of these for my new nephew! The problem is: I DON’T HAVE A SEWING MACHINE :( is there an easy way to make them without one? I’m not a big sewer, but I LOVE these :)
Thanks for sharing!
February 28th, 2011 at 11:05 am
[…] jean pockets on the interior are great for holding scissors, other sharp tools or small supplies.Denim Bibs: So lovely and so easy to wash! Denim Bibs Tutorial By thimblythings.com Denim Barrettes By […]
March 15th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
[…] This was another quick and easy project, which I found at Thimbly Things. She has pictures of some adorable bibs, and you should go see them! I’ve only made a few […]
April 4th, 2011 at 11:26 am
These are such a cute idea! I have a little one almost into solid foods so hopefully I’ll be able to find a few minutes to make a few of these for my little guy! Thanks for all your great ideas!
May 27th, 2011 at 12:21 am
[…] mama is coming next month. I can’t wait. We are going to sew our little hearts […]
June 2nd, 2011 at 4:00 pm
My dear mother lived in an assisited living and then a nursing home, these bibs, applicaid or embroiderd would be so nice, as so much of their food gets down the front and it is kind of fun if everyone wears one for spegetti night or sloppy joe night, maybe names or something that means something to each one put on them. like flowers or fishing poles etc.
many of them have no family, this would also make nice Christmas gifts for seniors, who hate getting colone and perfume or shaving lotion all the time…even for the ones still living at home. Also the ladies could make these and sell them at their senior center, for fund raisers for trips and things…
June 8th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Love this idea with the jeans!
June 27th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Thanks for the great how-to. My mom and I made our first denim bib a couple weeks ago. I blogged about it here: http://frecklesandsunshine.com/2011/06/27/repurposed-denim-bibs/
Can’t wait to make some more!
June 27th, 2011 at 7:22 pm
[…] Denim Bibs from Thimbly Things […]
July 17th, 2011 at 11:27 pm
[…] and people becoming more environmentally aware. There were a lot of choices. But, when I saw this tutorial, I knew I had found a winner. I wanted to make something for my new nephew, Luke, and thought this […]
August 2nd, 2011 at 11:40 am
[…] Denim Bibs Tutorial from Thimbly Things […]
August 25th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
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October 13th, 2011 at 1:00 pm
In love. Just pinned you.
October 27th, 2011 at 9:50 am
[…] Denim Baby Bibs – I was going to stop with the coffee cozies, but when I stopped by Thimbly Things by Kristena Derrick, I had to share a link to her denim baby big tutorial. […]
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February 21st, 2012 at 7:03 am
Thank you so much for posting this! I work at a child care center and have been looking for an inexpensive way to make several bibs to donate (since we never seem to have enough). These look just perfect! I will definitely be trying these out. ^_^
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:14 pm
These are so pretty :) I have just made one which has turned out beautifully but did take me longer than I thought it would. x
March 8th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
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March 24th, 2012 at 4:38 am
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
March 26th, 2012 at 8:03 pm
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April 19th, 2012 at 1:32 pm
I LOVE these bibs! I’m now going to make some for my 4 month old son. The standard bibs at the stores aren’t this cute!! Thanks for the inspiration :)
May 14th, 2012 at 3:26 pm
[…] Bibs A great present for any expecting mother. You can avoid the mad rush to buy something and drop loads of cash! […]