DIY Waterproof Bibs
Good morning! Today I’m excited to share a tutorial on how to make your own waterproof bibs. On a recent trip to JoAnn Fabrics, I found waterproof fabric called PUL. It is primarily used for cloth diapers but can be used to make a lot more things; basically, anything you want to be waterproof! I made four bibs from the PUL fabric and absolutely love them!
I have been using these bibs for both my kiddos and have found the PUL fabric cleans easily and the bright whites don’t fade. Before these we were using plastic pocket bibs from the store. Over time some of the designs faded or chipped off and some of the bibs started to have an orange tint. The PUL fabric bibs look brand new after months of use. I was hesitant to use one of the PUL bibs with red pasta sauce but even that came out with some Dawn soap. So basically, I love these new bibs and have become a big fan of the PUL fabric I bought. This post is not sponsored at all; I just happen to really love this fabric for bibs!
The tutorial below is for a waterproof bib using the PUL fabric, but you can use any waterproof fabric or cover cotton fabric in vinyl to achieve the same result. I’ve included some links for the PUL supplies I used.
Supplies Needed for DIY Waterproof Bib:
- Pattern: Take pattern from bib you already own, or see the free pattern at the end of this post
- Patterned waterproof fabric (I used Babyville Boutique Packaged PUL Fabric, Dinos and Monsters
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- Solid waterproof fabric for making bias tape (I used Babyville Boutique Packaged PUL Fabric, Neutral Solids)
- Velcro for closure (I used Babyville Boutique EZ Tabs, Gender Neutral)
- Thread
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STEP 1: Print off the bib pattern
STEP 2: Cut out the fabric. You will need a bib front, bib back, and bib pocket out of the patterned waterproof fabric.
STEP 3: Make bias tape. The edges of the bib are finished off with bias tape made from the PUL fabric so the entire bib is waterproof. You can measure the edges of the bib front piece to determine how much bias tape you need. I just made a whole bunch since I was making several bibs!
To create your own bias tape, cut 1.5″ diagonal strips from the solid PUL fabric. Once you have the strips, you can sew them together. To do this, I put right sides together and sew at 1/4″. I place my pins along the seam line so I can open it up and check the two strips of bias are lined up correctly before sewing.
STEP 4: The pocket. The steps you use to finish off the top edge of the pocket are the same you will use to finish the edges of the bib.
Pin the bias tape, right sides together, along the top edge of the pocket. Sew at 1/4″. Press seam with seam allowance pointing up. Trim seam allowance to 1/8″. Fold bias tape over to meet seam allowance. Fold bias tape over one more time so the fold line is along the trimmed seam allowance. Now you are ready to sew it down. Sew along the seam line from the front of the pocket, “stitch in the ditch”.
Sew the pocket onto the front bib piece.
STEP 5: Sew the Velcro onto the bib. Stitch the rough side of the Velcro to the front bib piece and the soft side to the back bib piece – on the opposite side. Double-check that your bib will close properly before sewing the Velcro down.
STEP 6: Bind the entire bib with bias tape. First sew the front bib piece to the back bib piece with wrong sides together. Then you are ready to bind the bib with the bias tape. You will do this the same way you did the top edge of the pocket. Stitch the bias tape, right sides together, at 1/4″.
I stopped at the top of the bib to clip the bias tape so I could make the turn more easily.
Overlap the bias tape when you get to the place where you started.
Once you have sewn the bias tape around the entire bib, remove your pins and fold the bias tape over to the back side. Fold the bias tape under so there are no raw edges.
From the front side of the bib, you can “stitch in the ditch” again.
Give the entire bib a really good pressing and it is complete! Once you make one, the rest go fairly quickly. These are now our go-to bibs and I really love how crisp and new they look after months of use. The PUL fabric has been great and it comes in so many fun patterns that I think it makes the cutest bibs.
This post includes affiliate links under the “Shop the supplies I used”. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.
How wide is the bias tape? Can regular fabric be used as bias tape? Can the bib be made with only one layer of fabric?
Hi! The bias tape was made with 1.5″ wide strips of fabric. I have used regular fabric for the bias tape but only when I have made these bibs from cotton that I covered in vinyl. On those bibs the regular fabric bias tape was fine, though it took longer to air-dry after I rinsed them off. I’ve only used the PUL fabric for bias tape when making the bibs out of PUL. It is nice this way because PUL fabric doesn’t shrink and washing the bib is very easy. I think the bib could be made with just one layer but may be best done with two. The back side of the PUL is the laminate side which becomes a bit sticky and slippery when wet. If the child wears the bib without a shirt, the bib will feel much better on their skin if the bib is doubled and the soft knit side is on the back as well. :)
Thanks for the tutorial. Very detailed and well explained. Love this bib, thank you for sharing.
Thank you!
Really fabulous tutorial with great results! thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling sunday!
Thank you! Also thank you for hosting Craft Schooling Sunday – so many great ideas!