FREE Pattern Download - Bandana Baby Bib

It's been a while, but I'm thrilled to have a new easy tutorial and FREE downloadable pattern to share today!!  A quick & simple to make Bandana Bib:)

My little guy has reached the phase where he is super drooly most of the time.  Poor guy. Bibs are a necessary accessory to keep him from sporting a constant wet ring on his neck and clothes.  All my kids were like that as babies and most bibs didn't do the job because they soaked through right away.  Finding bibs that aren't hot and plastic-y, but still keep the moisture out is tough though.

I decided to make some that are comfy, have a bit of style to go with outfits AND most importantly, keep baby dry.

By using PUL fabric as the back side, it keeps the dribble from getting to the clothes or skin underneath, but it's not hot or stiff like the usual vinyl manufactured bibs have.  

Woven cotton or knit would also work well for the front, but I decided to use some scrap gauze leftover from making some baby pants.  It's breezy & soft for summer, but also soaks up moisture well and gets softer the more you wash it.  

Making this bib is fast & easy too, which is key for us moms with babies!  

Here's how to do it with my free pattern:

Materials:
- FQ or (10in high x 14in wide piece) of Gauze, Cotton or Knit 
- FQ or (10in high x 14in wide piece piece) PUL fabric
- Download my FREE Bandana Bib pattern HERE
- 2 sets of plastic snaps & setting tool
- Marking pen, lip balm, clips (or bobby pins) 
Optional: walking foot

Print the pattern at 100% scale (use the inch gauge box to confirm the print size is correct)

Fold both fabrics with selvage ends together and cut out a bib from each on the fold.  

Mark placement for snaps on right sides of fabrics.

With wrong sides facing, place clips around bib edges (using pins makes holes in the PUL and we don't want that!).

Run a bit of lip balm along the shiny PUL side to keep it from sticking to the presser foot when sewing - it's ok, the lubricant is good for the machine and easy to wipe off the fabric.  

Stitch together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, leaving a 2 inch gap on one side.  Using a walking foot is ideal since it keeps the fabrics from slipping or catching on the feed dogs.  I use one for all my PUL projects.

Clip around curves.  To save time and avoid the chance for clipping into my stitching, I use pinking shears.

Turn right side out.  Pressing PUL to get the edges flat could melt it, so press them down with my hands and clip them, then topstitch all the way around.

Set snaps using a snap press or pliers.  I highly recommend using plastic snaps since they'll hold up great to constant tugging and washing.

Put the stylin' bib on the bub and admire how cute and fashionable baby is.  Now we've got a cute coordinated outfit and we're keeping it dry:)

Making One Size Cloth Diapers & My Newborn Sizing Hack

Little by little I'm starting to make things again now that life is settling down and my daughter's feeling better.  Even though I've got a long list of various projects I want to tackle, I'm starting with stuff I need for the baby since our new arrival is just a few weeks away.  I've only just gotten started on getting all the things we need together so prioritizing that is key.

One of my big must-haves is diapers.  This will be my 3rd cloth diapered babe (I didn't even realize it was an option for my first).  Despite that, I'm starting my diaper stash from scratch this go round.  It's been close to 6 yrs since my youngest child was in diapers!  

I dusted off a pattern I'd used back then and so far have made these cuties:

Even though it had been ages since I'd made cloth diapers, it was easy to get back in the saddle.  I used a diaper PUL panel called Bee My Little Honey (bought from Diaper Sewing Supplies/Sahara Fabrics) to make this one:

For this diaper I used a panel called Little Lion Big Hug (also from DSS/Sahara Fabrics):

I love how both have cute large design backs.  Adorable baby bums are a must!

I used the NykiBaby One Size Pocket Diaper Pattern to make them all.  This pattern's design is one of my favorites.  It fits 8-40lbs.  It's a simple-to-follow PDF pattern and offers both pocket & fitted styles.  The finished results are just as good as store-bought cloth diaper brands I've used over the years, since there's a 2 setting adjustable rise and loads of snaps to get the right waist fit:

My third diaper is a variation of the pattern that will fit a brand new newborn (closer to 5lbs) and still fit up to about 15lbs...maybe even more:

I also added a snap down feature in the front like other newborn diapers have to dip the top down while the umbilical cord heals:

I decided to make a newborn hack version when I found the last piece of this Woodland Gnome print PUL I had left in my stash was too short to use the pattern in its normal full one size:

I tweaked it to work as a newborn-15lb version by folding the full length, longest, snap rise up so that I only kept the smaller rise adjusting snap settings:

I followed all the pattern directions like normal, except I made the back wrap-to-front closure wings slightly narrower and added my own center snap settings slightly above and below the main front rows to create the umbilical cord snap-down feature:

Years ago I invested in a snap press and it's been a worthwhile investment.  I've used it to make loads of diapers, training pants, on clothing, bags and all sorts of other stuff.

It's been way easier to use than pliers or setting tools, which is key when you have lots of snaps to set like on these diapers.  

I also always use plastic clothespin to hold my micro fleece lining and PUL together while I sew to keep from having any pinholes, then dry the finished diapers in the dryer on high to seal up the stitching holes.

Here's how my newborn version compares to a store bought newborn-15lbs diaper:

Here's how my newborn version compares to the same OS pattern, unadjusted, at the smallest snapped-up sizes:

And with both fully opened at the maximum size settings:

I still want to make a few more, but I'm excited to have some that'll fit baby right away and some that will last through to toddler time, when I'll need to switch to making some training pants.  Luckily, I've got a pattern for those too (which is my own Sanity Saving Training Pants Pattern) and have a gnome-y pair already waiting:

And a matching wet bag to make a full gnome-themed set too:)  It's nice to finally be feeling the baby-stuff making vibe!

It's PUL-Palooza! Tutorial Round-up & Pattern Giveaway

Wet wintertime around here has us using a lot of my PUL fabric projects on a regular basis. It seems like a good time to do a round-up of some of those handy, waterproof tutorials AND giveaway a few copies of my perfect-for-PUL Patterns too.

The useful, waterproof, breathable quality of PUL (polyester fabric with a polyurethane lamination) is well known for cloth diapers and training pants, but it's also good for loads of other projects you can make yourself. 

For keeping warm and dry on snowy days, PUL rocks for things like these insulated snow mittens.  Get the FREE pattern for these HERE.

It's excellent for making snow pants too.  Use my DIY Snow Pants tutorial to make some in less than an hour and for way less than the store bought equivalent.

It makes for awesome wet bags for diapers, laundry & swimwear.  Get the how-to for some HERE.

It's ideal for big bags too.  My Wonderfully Waterproof Tote tutorial works well as a diaper bag, travel tote or beach bag:

PUL is great for food storage too, like reusable sandwich bags.  These are super simple to make with small PUL pieces:

Or try making some snack sacks.  See how to make both kinds of bags HERE.  

If you're looking for some of these fabrics, I've added a few favorite PUL prints from my stash to my Etsy shop:

Now let's do a giveaway for a Pair of PDF Patterns for PUL fabric!  

My popular Sanity Saving Training Pants Pattern:



and my Space Saver Backpack Pattern:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Space Saver Backpack Pattern Release & Giveaway!!

I've been a busy bee over in the Sew Can Do craft room lately.  Working on lots of new things and thrilled to announce the first of them today.  It's a brand new sewing pattern that's perfect for back to school:  my Space Saver Backpack Pattern!

With this pattern, you can create a custom backpack with your favorite fabrics. Perfect for school, the gym, heading to work or as a wearable alternative to an overnight or diaper bag. 

You may remember last year when I shared some posts on an awesome fabric, Waterproof Oxford, that one of things I made with it was a backpack.  I finally made it into a pdf pattern. 

To celebrate this new pattern, I'm giving away several copies of the Space Saver Backpack Pattern to my readers!

This pattern's got all the key backpack features, like large zipper opening to be quick to load and unload.

A roomy interior that holds lots and is easy to access.

Adjustable padded straps to give the perfect fit.  

At 12in x 16in x 6in, it's big enough for an adult, but still a comfortable size for kids. 

Wide choice of fabrics that work with it.  Use Waterproof oxford, PUL, Laminated Cotton for a strong, wipeable bag or Canvas, Denim, Corduroy, Ripstop or Woven Cotton for a classic fabric version.  Loads of fabric options.

My absolute favorite fabric for it is the Waterproof Oxford.  It's super strong, holds shape well, is weatherproof and easily wipes clean inside & out. Backpacks made with it are indistinguishable from the pricey store bought versions in feel and look.  Plus the prints available in this fabric are way cooler than any ready-buy backpacks I've seen;) 

Space Saver Backpack in Waterproof Oxford

Loads of pockets on front and both sides.  I've crammed water bottles, phones, tablets, books and school supplies of all sorts into them.  They've got tons of room!

Space Saver Backpack holding 2 water bottles, markers, workbook, sunscreen, iPhone,
women's shoes and a twin sized blanket - with room left for even more!

The backpack design also has a handy loop to hang it when not in use.


  
As always, the instructions include full color photos, as well as sewing tips, a handy fabric selection guide and supply resource list to find the perfect materials. This pattern is intermediate level (if you're comfortable sewing a zipper, attaching binding and sewing through layers, you're good to go!). I've officially released the pattern for sale over in my Etsy shop, The Green Hedgehog.

And now I'm giving away 3 copies of the
 Space Saver Backpack Pattern right here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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