Making Dribble Bibs From Old Tees

In this post I will show you how to make your own dribble bibs.

[Warning: this post mentions dribble/drool and small children.]

Difficulty level: stupidly easy

So, why dribble bibs? Why not just bibs? Well, these bibs have a layer of micro fleece next to the skin, meaning the neck is kept completely dry while the bib is wet with drool. It's like some kind of magic! Yes, sliced bread was a pretty cool invention, but fleece was next in line.

So, here's what you'll need:
An old t-shirt, which is no good to anyone anymore (you know you're far too old to be wearing that Sesame Street top and it's way too bobbly to pass it on to someone else)
Some micro fleece (not microfibre - that stuff is very different and will make a huge mess the moment you cut into it. Micro fleece should just look like a really thin fleece blanket.)
Needle and thread
Velcro (or poppers, if you'd prefer)

1. How to get the right size/shape bib

To get the bib to the size/shape I wanted, I used a different bib as a template. Although this £8 Skibz bib looks cool, it's actually rubbish. Don't waste your money. I like the size and shape though, so I drew around that.

2. Cut your fabric

If you want to use the motif/image/logo on the tee, position your paper template accordingly and cut around it. You could either use your fancy rotary cutter, or you could pin the paper template to the fabric and cut around it with scissors, like the rest of us. Do the same with the fleece and pin it to the back of the bib.

The fleece definitely won't fray. The fabric of the top might, depending on what it is. But, because the look of these bibs is a repurposed 'hey-this-used-to-be-a-top' rough around the edges, I don't think it matters it it frays a bit.

3. Sewing the thing together

So, if you're following this, you should have your fabric and fleece pinned together (see above). Make sure the logo/pattern on your fabric is facing up, as you'd like it in the finished product. Either by hand or with a machine, stitch the bib, about 1cm in from the edge all around.

4. Adding the fastening

I chose Velcro because it's cheap and you don't need any fancy equipment to attach it. Cut the Velcro to size (I bought a roll of it from eBay) and pin in place - one bit on the fleece side of the bib and one bit on the fabric side (make sure you've got one fuzzy and one catchy, not two fuzzys or two catchys. Y'know - a positive and a negative. I'm sure I don't need to tell you how Velcro works but you never know these days). When you're happy with the placement of the Velcro, stitch it in place.

That's it! Bib done! Stick it to a baby Gently fasten it around your baby's neck and watch in amazement as that bad boy soaks up a gallon of drool!

Another handy thing about these bibs is that they're great for an extra bit of warmth around the neck for babies during the colder months. Which could mean any time of the year if you're in Britain.

So, not sure what to do with the extra fabric left from making this belly band? Make some bibs! This could be a cool baby shower gift.