It was a post at Everythingsewing.
Just to darling not to share. I thank the poster named challenged.
Re: Smocked Baby Bib Pattern
by Challenged » Sat Aug 08, 2009 6:46 pm
I made up my own pattern for a bib.
I cut the fabric (45"wide and usually batiste) 5" deep. Measure in 5" from the folded edge and and draw a line diagonally to the selvage edge finishing 2" from top edge. (this makes it full in the front and graded on the sides so it doesn't look like a collar.)
Now, important note: Pleat FIRST with up to 11 half space rows. Flatten out THEN sew on lace, unpicking the last inch or sew of the holding threads on the bottom rows.
Smock any pattern you want that will fit in that space....I like geometric ones because they sew up fast though I have done a couple of picture ones too.
Assembling after smocking:
Cut bias strip 1 & 1/2"w x 8 & 1/2" long.
mark center of bias
block bib in semi circle so it measures 6 & 1/2" smocked edge to smocked edge keeping center two inches tight and fanning out the remainder.
Pin and stitch on bias matching center front of bib to center of bias
Trim, roll and whip stitch selvage edges
Cut ribbon for ties 2 @ 13" each
Hand sew to neckline 1/2 inch in
Fold down bias and hand whip
Just a note to let you know with my bishop dresses I usually smock and add the bias on the straight, not blocking the conventional way. However, with the bibs I smock on the straight but it seems to hold its shape better if you block it in a semi circle before adding the bias.
Hope these instructions aren't to convoluted to understand and you have fun making them! I am not at my computer with pictures on it so I will put up a picture via another post so you can see the end results.
I cut the fabric (45"wide and usually batiste) 5" deep. Measure in 5" from the folded edge and and draw a line diagonally to the selvage edge finishing 2" from top edge. (this makes it full in the front and graded on the sides so it doesn't look like a collar.)
Now, important note: Pleat FIRST with up to 11 half space rows. Flatten out THEN sew on lace, unpicking the last inch or sew of the holding threads on the bottom rows.
Smock any pattern you want that will fit in that space....I like geometric ones because they sew up fast though I have done a couple of picture ones too.
Assembling after smocking:
Cut bias strip 1 & 1/2"w x 8 & 1/2" long.
mark center of bias
block bib in semi circle so it measures 6 & 1/2" smocked edge to smocked edge keeping center two inches tight and fanning out the remainder.
Pin and stitch on bias matching center front of bib to center of bias
Trim, roll and whip stitch selvage edges
Cut ribbon for ties 2 @ 13" each
Hand sew to neckline 1/2 inch in
Fold down bias and hand whip
Just a note to let you know with my bishop dresses I usually smock and add the bias on the straight, not blocking the conventional way. However, with the bibs I smock on the straight but it seems to hold its shape better if you block it in a semi circle before adding the bias.
Hope these instructions aren't to convoluted to understand and you have fun making them! I am not at my computer with pictures on it so I will put up a picture via another post so you can see the end results.
Elaine
- A couple more pictures:
