WIP Wednesday: repurposed jeans

I love a denim bib, it's classic.  It doesn't wear out, it's soft, it's cute and looks good with everything!  It's non-gender specific so it can get passed down to the next sibling or cousin . . .

If you don't save jeans for sewing projects, you can find little denim pockets at your local resale shop or garage sale on children's clothing or most men's jeans which have a perfect little (change) pocket.  

I have an old kingsize denim dust ruffle that I almost got rid of several years ago.  I'm so glad I kept it, I've used it over and over again.  A seamstress should always have a good supply of denim on hand to recycle, especially if you have teens.  You can save a ton of money repairing holes in jeans.  (I used to iron those jean patches into the backs of holes, but now I just sew a piece of denim to the back)

Bib directions

Pick 2 coordinating fabrics (preferably 1 in denim! ) I prefer to use flannel for the back, besides it feeling softer, it will absorb more.  Look for a slightly thinner or worn denim when making bibs, as it will be more pliable and not so heavy.

Press and starch your 2 coordinating fabrics.  (When sewing an item with 2 different fabrics, one is bound to shrink more than the other.  I prefer to press with heavy steam before cutting the fabric as apposed to pre-washing.  Starch will help the fabric from becoming distorted while cutting)

With right sides together, pin and mark bib pattern.  Cut out the 2 pieces of fabric together, at the same time.

Pin and sew the 2 pieces,  leaving a 2 inch hole along the bottom of the bib.  Cut notches around the curves to minimize bulk.   Turn right side out and press.

Cut out back side of small denim pocket before sewing onto bib to minimize bulk.  Pin pocket on center of front side of bib.  Sew down along edges using matching thread.  To make pocket functional, only sew along the top of the pocket flap, and up the sides of the pocket, stopping at the top of the opening on each side.  (back stitch to secure edges)

Sewing the pocket onto the front of your bib AFTER sewing front and back together will give your bib more stability (not as it is shown above)

Top stitch all the way around close to the edge of the bib.  (This will close the opening at the bottom)

My thoughts on picking your closure - A button would be adorable, but I'm too lazy to make the button hole, strings take too long to tie (and make), a velcro bib is easily pulled off by a toddler (so tells me an experienced mother) so I prefer a large snap.

These bibs will get lots of wear so reinforce the ends.

I hand picked this color and weight of thread that looks like the thread used on jeans.  

If you're interested in this pattern, leave me a comment and I'll email you the pdf.  Please make sure that you are not a "no-reply blogger".  

  

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