Extra-long baby bib free sewing pattern for toddler-sized spills

This longer baby bib free sewing pattern with pocket is for all the messy toddlers out there and their moms (AKA me) who are tired of doing their laundry. All of Elise’s baby bibs were much too short …not only were her bibs not keeping food off of her clothes but they also were looking too babyish for my growing girl.

Starting with one of Elise’s old baby bibs, I followed the advice of my all-time favorite Runway contests, Daniel V. and used the “rub-off technique” which sounds kind of dirty but is actually when you pretty much like a pattern but want to make a few adjustments. You start with what you like and make changes.

So I taped some paper together and traced around my favorite baby bib, changing the length and curving the sides. (And let’s please ignore the spaghetti stains on the front of said bib. Oye.)

And I wanted a much deeper pocket too that would better catch food bits and after tinkering landed on this baby bib free sewing pattern:

It was crazy easy to sew with a bit of bias tape and the extra oil canvas fabric from Elise’s Play-Doh and coloring mat.

I love my super extra deep pocket. I never understood those flat pockets on bibs that let everything fall in a poor kid’s lap. This baby bib pocket is a “catch-all-the-food” kind of a pocket.

Bring on the snacks!

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Supplies for making an extra-long baby bib for toddler-sized spills:

UPDATED! Printer friendly free long bib pattern sized for toddler spills (PDF) reformatted by reader Nikkie Watson from Buttons and Kittens that uses less ink when printing the pattern – or you can download my original and very red Kathy’s free long bib pattern sized for toddler spills (PDF)

I recommend either laminated cotton fabric because it’s flexible, wipe-able and comes in cute kid-friendly patterns. I actually used a fabric called Oil canvas fabric in “Back to School Alphabet” but it appears to no longer be available. You could also use oilcloth. Or just make it in plain old washable cotton.

• Disappearing fabric pen
• 1/4″ Double fold bias tape (or make your own custom bias tape using the Simplicity Bias Tape Maker)
• VELCRO® Brand Sticky Back for Fabrics
• Thread
• Good fabric scissors
• Sewing machine

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How to make an extra-long baby bib for toddler-sized spills:

Step 1: Print my baby bib free sewing pattern, trace onto fabric, and cut

Print and cut out my free long bib pattern sized for toddler spills (PDF). Trace on the wrong side of your oil canvas using a disappearing fabric pen.

And cut out the pocket too. Cut it out using good fabric scissors.

Step 2: Finish the top edge of the bib’s pocket

Open up your bias tape along the top of the pocket and secure with barrettes or pins.

I have a really great ‘how to sew bias tape’ tutorial here – there’s even a video. I highly recommend watching it if you have any questions about how to sew on bias tape. Sew in the fold of the bias tape on the pocket.

Flip the bias tape over and secure with pins or barrettes.

Sew close to the edge, making sure to catch the bias tape underneath.

It’ll look like this.

Step 3: Pin the pocket onto the baby bib

Now you’re going to place the pocket on top of the bib. Fold the bib in half and mark the center with a disappearing fabric pen.

Then mark the center of the pocket with a disappearing fabric pen.

Line up the centers and pin. Notice that because I’m using oil canvas, I pinned really close to the edge so that when I remove the pin, the pin hole will be hidden under the bias tape.

The pocket is pretty deep so pin around the curves.

It’ll look like this.

Step 4: Add bias tape around the edges of the long baby bib

Start your bias tape up close to the neck: Fold over the corner like a triangle and pin the edge, and sew on the bias tape. This is also a good time to check out my post how to sew bias tape around corners to make mitered corners.

Sew the bias tape around the curves…

…and down the side and when you get to the pocket start removing the pins as you sew down the bias tape.

Like so.

Keep going until you’ve sewn the bias tape around the entire bib. Again, check out my how to sew on bias tape tutorial to show you how to join the bias tape ends together. Now fold over the bias tape to the other side and secure with barrettes or pins and sew close to the edge, making sure to catch the bias tape on the other side.

Continue sewing the bias tape all around the toddler bib.

Step 5: Add VELCRO® Brand fasteners to the baby bib

Looking good, yes? Just one more step. Cut about a 3″ piece of VELCRO® Brand fasteners. Put it on the wrong side of the bib.

UPDATE: In this tutorial, I originally used VELCRO® Brand Soft & Flexible fasteners which are very soft for babies — but now there’s a new VELCRO® Brand product out called VELCRO® Brand Sticky Back for Fabrics. It is so easy to use – just stick it to your fabric, no sewing required. Anyway…

Sew around the edges of the VELCRO® Brand Soft & Flexible fasteners to secure. Or if you used VELCRO® Brand Sticky Back for Fabrics then you can skip the sewing.

Sew the other piece of VELCRO® Brand Soft & Flexible fasteners onto the right side of the other flap.

Give to toddler. Hooray for less laundry!!

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Be sure to pin this toddler-sized baby bib free sewing pattern:

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Want more super easy sewing projects for babies and toddlers? Check out these free sewing projects:

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Copyright stuff: You’re more than welcome to use this free project and tutorial for personal use. Contact me for commercial use and Etsy sales.