Sew a gorgeous baby's bib..free pattern

Sewing bibs

One of the most appreciated gifts for a new mum other than a helping hand is a bundle of bibs. I have made quite a few in my time as a seamstress Grandmother of nine...almost ten and you know I really love making them.

This pattern I'm sharing is similar to my original pattern but with a snap fastener rather than a tie.

At the bottom of this post you will find the templates for this bib, Just copy them they are jpeg ...print out on A4 paper.

You can keep this bib simple or as glamed up as you like. You can check out other bib tutorials I've made HERE and pics HERE.

I have used some sweet floral and stripe just left over fabric from other projects, a lace trim, a little me made patch and quilting detail.

Cut out your upper and lower front pieces, add lace if you want and place the lower piece on top of the upper piece right sides together and straight edges aligned, stitch together using just over a quarter inch seam.

Pin together the upper and lower pattern pieces lining up the dotted lines..see photo above. Use this pinned together template to cut the backing fabric and the batting. (Just a note this bib doesn't need to be quilted and can just be backed with terry toweling or any absorbent fabric, but if you quilt it the quilting process makes the bib smaller and so you might like place the quilted bib front on the backing fabric and use that as your template.)

I used a fusible batting but a lightweight cotton batting would be equally as good.

Press the seams up and the lace down on the front bib and using a cover cloth press the batting in place on the wrong side of the bib.

At this stage I have quilted my front in a diagonal grid about 1 '' apart. I recommend using a walking foot to get the best job.

Trim the threads and if you want to add a little patch or label now's the time.

To assemble the bib place the back piece on top of the front piece RST and stitch around the edges using a small seam, leave a 3'' gap on one side of the bib for turning through. Trim the seams where necessary and clip carefully at the curves.  Use a chop stick or similar to turn through, push out all the edges with your implement to get a nice shape and all your curves smooth. Press well and hand stitch or fabric glue up the opening. Add a snap fastener or small Velcro circles to close your bib...all finished.

 Happy sewing everyone.

Glenis

My friend 'Kat' a new soft toy pattern

My friend 'Kat'

I've spent some of my holiday time bringing this kitty cat doll to life. I always have a head full of ideas as to things I'd like to make and 'Kat' had worked her way to the top of the queue.

I decided to make her the same size as 'Molly' so any purchasers could utilize the same sized clothes to share with both dolls.

If you would like to read my post about 'Molly' just click here.

Often my inspiration comes from the beautiful fabric that is now available as it did with Molly. Spring flowers were a good starting point and don't they look sweet. She has little cuffed bloomers, a lace edged pinafore and bright overalls.

But in amongst all this creativity I still had time to relax and enjoy Australia's beautiful Sunshine Coast. It is a place we go to often and the weather is usually glorious and still very warm having left behind cooling conditions at home, although this time we had buckets of rain at times.

This is the Maroochydore River, it's only a few minutes walk from the apartment and we love to fish off the jetty.   

       It gets dark early here but just as the sun goes down the light is wonderful, I don't think my pic captures the soft pink sky the way I remember it.

    The birds here are one of my favourite things and you hear their song even in the most urban spaces, bright Parrots, white Galahs and the huge Pelicans.

I hope you don't mind that Iv'e shared my holiday as well as my sewing with you. xxx

This is the link to find my 'Kat' and 'Molly' patterns.

Happy sewing

Glenis

Smocked dress for Lola

Smocked  dress for Lola

This is the first smocking I had done for about ten years and I have to say it took some time to get my rhythm again...much unpicking, but the results were worth it.

It was a Christmas dress for a special granddaughter and I'm only just blogging about it now, I really don't know where the year has gone.

We went down to our local botanical gardens for a photo shoot and I think I took about ninety pics, well you can't have two many of grandchildren can you.

Lola was a little trooper and she didn't fall in the pond or sit in duck 'you know what' but I think the most smiles we got was when she sat in my car pretending to drive.

I chose this beautiful fabric because I wanted a white background with sprigs of flowers and this Elea Lutz fabric from the 'Little Dolly' range was perfect.

Isn't Lola so cute with her Shirley Temple curls and we don't really have curls in the family so this is so amazing.

Glenis

Summer time and 'Fergus the Mouse' soft toy

Summer time sewing and 'Fergus the Mouse'

 Make something for little boys...I have been asked this several times but with seven granddaughters I am drawn to sweetness and pink!!!
So here is a little simple toy that definitely is boy friendly although he could be made using soft sweet colours too. I have this pattern  in my Etsy shop if you want to check it out.

We have had mostly beautiful weather lately but with just enough rain to keep lawn and garden growing and really I should be outside enjoying it.
We walked on the beach the other day and it's so beautiful and hardly anyone there...well that's the beauty of my home town.
Night time BBQ by the beach and Agapanthus in full bloom, this is summer.

Well that's me for now

Glenis

'My friend Molly' bunny and her summer wardrobe

'Molly' bunny doll

I have deviated from my usual and made a slightly larger doll but one that is easier to dress because she has clothes.

A summer wardrobe in fact, with a wee flared skirt, bloomers of course, a camisole for those warm days and oh a dear little jacket for out and about.

And although it is such a lot of work producing a pattern I am pleased with her...what do you think?

If you would like to try making molly and her clothes you van find the pattern here.

Happy sewing

Glenis

Monty Monkey soft toy, new pattern.

Monty Monkey pattern 

I know you haven't heard from me for a while and really no excuse, lots of grandchildren and I just got out of the habit of posting.

We are summer time here in this part of the world and today is such a hot day 31 degree C or 87 F so I have all the doors and windows open as I sit at my PC.

My latest pattern is a fun little monkey that I'd had in mind for ages, when my son was about four I made him one with Velcro on its hands and feet...the monkey spent most of his time attached to a tree or around my son's neck.

He's rather cute and reasonably easy to make using just small quantities of craft fabric you can find the pattern here.here

Happy sewing

 Glenis