I've been thinking about making some adult bibs. I have a few patterns that are great, but it's the fabric that has me wondering. I like to use cotton or terry, but I don't think it would handle spills well. Yet, if I line it with something that would give a water barrier, I'm afraid it would make them too stiff. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I have made many of these for my friend who is 30 and needs to keep dry at mealtime. I actually used that vinyl they have by the yard at Wal*Mart. It can go through the dryer on low, no problem. I usually make her bibs reversible with coordinating fabrics, or novelty prints for each holiday. I made the neck hole too big, which means all those drinks go right down her front and miss the bib altogether. So now I make them smaller and use a velcro fastener on the back to be adjustable. I also put a little FSL bee on a daisy one, and al FSL lady bug, and butterfly on others. Her Mom, my friend Linda, loves these and uses them when they go out into public.

The lady in my former church who made them used smallish bath towels and cut the neck hole more towards the back. She bound the neck hole (lasso shaped) with bias binding to match and kept the towels in beiges and neutrals, as she sold just as many for men as for women. She couldn't keep them made up because they sold so fast. Don't remember her price. The most decoration was if she bought towels that had a border. (No machine embroidery.)

1 comment

by pennyhal2 23 Nov 2018

I was not thinking yet about the neck hole. I think one of my patterns has a tie of sorts at the back. Yes, I do believe men and women both have a need for these.

I used table clothes from the dollar tree keep them dry ***

2 comments

by pennyhal2 23 Nov 2018

Thanks!

by hightechgrammy 25 Nov 2018

That's a great idea to put in the middle.

I made bibs for my parents and used pre-quilted cotton fabrics and had no problems with spills leaking through. Maybe they never spilled too much liquid? The bibs were long enough to reach to their laps and also had a 3 to 4 inch deep pocket across the bottom that prevented spills from rolling onto their laps. Good luck with whatever you choose. Wish I had some pictures to share.

1 comment

by pennyhal2 23 Nov 2018

Thanks! I think adding pockets would help too!

A friend of mine made lots of these bibs. She put cotton fabric on outside and terry fabric on back. They worked great.

I found a light weight water resistant fabric. I think it was at walmart. Anyway there are choices out there. As long as the stitching is only on the edge you should be fine. I am also making some drool cases (what i call them) to cover pillows. I used sheeting on one side and flannel on the other and so far so good. Lol!

1 comment

by pennyhal2 23 Nov 2018

Seems that a light weight water resistant fabric would solve the problem of liquid spills, but may allow the liquid to just roll down to the lap without getting absorbed. Maybe I should experiment first.

When I was working at Nursing Home Bibs were terry lined with flannel .Bibs were always laundered after each use so a clean one each meal.

1 comment

by pennyhal2 23 Nov 2018

I was thinking about flannel. Knowing that it is used at nursing homes give me the feeling that they must work well or they'd use something else.

Some of my friends buy the show curtains (not plastic) from the cheap shops. Tazlon is another fabric that can be used it is soft.

I'm with Angie Penny, terry towelling type fabric is easy to use and it washes well. After all if it gets spills on it - just wash it! Love Chris

1 comment

by pennyhal2 23 Nov 2018

Thanks!

I think I would stick with the terry or cotton. From the experiences with my children I found vinyls etc. would let the food just roll of and end up on their cloth anyway. Just my thought.

1 comment

by pennyhal2 23 Nov 2018

Thanks! That would be bad.