Free Baby Bib Pattern

Learn how to sew a baby bib with or without a pocket with a free sewing pattern. Use quilting cotton or laminated cotton for two different bibs!

I love having a bib to protect my babies cute clothes throughout the day. Babies clothes are just so cute, but they get stained so easily and quickly. Making a cute bib that can easily be changed as needed is a quick sewing project that makes a big difference.

I used a ton for each of my babies, and I love making them for baby gifts. I like to choose a a pretty print to make the bib extra special. This free baby bib pattern comes with an optional pocket so you can make the bib exactly the way you want to.

The top bib is made out of quilting cotton, and it does not have a pocket. The bottom bib is made out of laminated cotton and quilting cotton, and it does have a pocket. I love both of these floral prints, but mascualine prints are also great too!

What fabric should I use?

When I make the bib without a pocket I like to use quilting cotton or double gauze for the front and back. It’s easy to find in so many cute prints, it’s easy to sew, and it’s comfortable to wear. It does wrinkle easily when it’s washed and dried, but I like how absorbent the cotton is.

When I make the bib with a pocket I like to use quilting cotton for the back because it’s comfortable against baby skin. I like to use a waterproof fabric like laminated cotton, faux leather, oilcloth, or pleather for the front and for the pocket.

Should I use Velcro, snaps, or buttons for a baby bib?

I used to use plastic snaps all the time, but I worry about the snaps falling off and being swallowed by a baby. That’s the same problem with buttons, and doing a button in a buttonhole on a wiggly baby is pretty tricky.

Any of these fasteners will work great for a baby bib, but my favorite is Velcro. It’s easy to get on and off, it can pull apart if pulled hard, and it’s easy to sew on. Be careful when washing it so that the Velcro doesn’t attach to anything precious in the washer or dryer.

Do you love to sew for babies? Try some of these sewing projects:

What is a PDF sewing pattern?

A PDF pattern is a sewing pattern designed on the computer and organized so that it can be printed on several letter or A4 size pieces of paper.

I love using PDF sewing patterns because if the pattern gets ruined or if my children or I changed sizes, I can always print it again. It’ll never be destroyed since I have a digital version!

How do you use a PDF sewing pattern?

Open the PDF on a computer and click print. When printing make sure that the scaling is set to 100% or no scaling so that the pattern prints at the correct size.

Once the pattern is printed it can be taped together to get the full size. Then the pattern can be cut for each pattern piece size or individual sizes can be traced so that the pattern can be used again and again. Learn how to use PDF sewing patterns.

Supplies

Free baby bib sewing pattern (no instructions) – get it at the end of the post
Fat quarter of quilting cotton or double gauze for the non-pocket bib OR 1/3 yard of waterproof fabric (like laminated cotton from Splash Fabric) for the pocket bib
2 inches of Velcro
Sewing tools
Sewing machine

Do you just want the pattern and tutorial as a PDF? Get the pattern and photo tutorial for just $3. You won’t need to access the internet every time you want to make it. Or get the Pattern Bundle with ALL the PDF tutorials!

For the non-pocket bib cut out two bib pieces from quilting cotton. Cut out one piece from interfacing. Apply the interfacing to one fabric bib piece.

For the pocket bib cut out one bib piece from quilting cotton and one bib piece from waterproof fabric. Cut the pocket from waterproof fabric.

cut out one fabric and one waterproof bib

Pin the two sides of the Velcro to the two sides of the bib. Make sure to choose the same side (both left for example). Center the Velcro on the straps. (If doing a waterproof bib, the hook side of the Velcro should be on the waterproof fabric and not the quilting cotton.)

Sew around the Velcro to secure. You can skip sewing the short side of the Velcro along the raw edge of the fabric.

If doing a pocket fold the pocket piece on the fold line. Pin it to the bottom of the waterproof bib. Baste it on along the raw edge.