Thursday, February 28, 2013

Adult Bibs

This month I made a batch of adult size bibs for the Dinner for 2 February project over at Hopeful Threads.  She is collecting both adult and child size bibs. I started out making adult bibs first.



I decided to draft my own pattern for this project and thought I would show you I did it.

Supplies:
18"x36" paper for the pattern
1 yard of main fabric
1 yard of fabric for the backing ( I used flannel)
 3/4" Velcro
 
First I used a large plate (10") to round out the corners of my 18"x36" paper.


Next I used a small plate to make the neck hole.  I used an 8" plate but I think a 6"-7" plate might be better.  Measure 3" from the top center, trace and cut your circle.

 
To make the neck hole fit better measure 2"-3" in from the center and round the edges.  I used a lid from a jar.
 
 
This is what the neckline should look like.
 
 
And this is what the pattern looks like.
 

Next you want to cut one focus fabric and one backing fabric.  I used 100% cotton for the focus fabric and flannel for the backing.  Pin right sides togther and sew around the edges using a 3/8" seam allowance.



  Leave a 3"-4" opening at the bottom for turning.

 
Clip curves.  Turn right side out.  Fold the bottom opening under and press.  Topstich aroud 1/4" around the edges. 
 
The final step is to add Velco.  Cut a piece of Velcro 4" long.  Place about 1" from the edge and sew down as shown.  I usually put the hook on the bottom and the loop (the soft side) on the top.  You may need to adjust the Velcro before sewing it down to make sure the neckline lies flat. 
 
 
 
And there you have it!  A finished adult sized bib. 
 
 
 
Check out Hopeful Threads February Flickr Group to see all the wonderful bibs that were sewn.
 
Stop by Hopeful Threads monthly to see what awesome project she has in store.
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

37 comments:

  1. So wonderful! They look great! Thanks Jill!

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  2. Hey Jill! Just saw your comment about sewing this month and couldn't find your email...so I had to find a way to say, YAY!!!!! Thank you so much! I'm so excited about all the fun we are going to have this month! :)

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  3. I love the idea of adult bibs what kind of adult doesn't need a bib? I know my husband needs one. So does my mother.

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  4. how clever you are to measure the neck hole using a plate and to round off the ends wonderful idea. I always end up with it uneven Thank you

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  5. I really like these adult bibs that you have thought up. They really make your dinner safe and stylin.

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  6. These are really cool, but I am struggling as to why an adult would want one. I think that would be fun to use at a baby shower possibly. But other than a fun time I don't know why an adult would need it. Some people are messy eaters, but I definitely wouldn't be caught wearing one.

    Alena | http://www.bibs4adults.com/shop/

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    1. Alena, not to be a smartaleck or rude, but there are many adults with health problems both in nursing homes a d still in their own homes who need a bib. We are elderly and though I can still care for my husband at home, he is no longer to feed himself. His bib saves a lot of inconvenience for both of us, as my hands are not as steady as they were when we were younger.

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    2. My father was very sick before he passed and needed something to protect his clothes when he ate. It is difficult for those in a hospital bed to sometimes feed themselves without dropping food on their clothes. My mother has limited use of her arms and uses a towel over her when she eats - usually from her recliner. I am going to make some of these in pretty colors for her for Christmas!

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    3. My father was very sick before he passed and needed something to protect his clothes when he ate. It is difficult for those in a hospital bed to sometimes feed themselves without dropping food on their clothes. My mother has limited use of her arms and uses a towel over her when she eats - usually from her recliner. I am going to make some of these in pretty colors for her for Christmas!

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    4. My son-in-law had a severe stroke at the age of 38. He drools all the time. A bib keeps him dry and can be changed when it gets too wet.

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    5. My son-in-law had a severe stroke at the age of 38. He drools all the time. A bib keeps him dry and can be changed when it gets too wet.

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    6. Its Called Dignity,,, I worked in a Nursing/Rehab Center... when the Residents eat no matter if they fed themselves or if family or Staff fed them, food or beverages are bound to drip or fall off the spoon or fork on to their clothing.. at the facility I worked at the Administrator would walk around after meals and check on the Residents and if their clothing had food spilt or stains she would have the aides change the Residents clothing.. Much easier to wash a clothing Protector than to change a Residents clothing 3 X a Day...and would you rather wear a Clothing Protector or sit with dried food on your Dress or blouse?

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    7. I don't know what planet this Alena lives on, but here, we are not all perfect. I'm constantly dropping something on myself, I'm 88 ys old, but my friend who is only 55 yrs old does the same thing. I loe to see how Alena looks when she is eating.

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    8. my mother is blind and has issues with eating/spilling/dropping! She can't see when she has soiled her top. Nothing undignified about using something like this.

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  7. These are absolutely adorable! I'm in love with your artistic style. I'm going to see if I can follow your instructions properly and make one myself! I ordered one as well just in case I can't make one as beautiful as you hehe!
    Celine | http://www.bibs4adults.com/shop/

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  8. I just wanted to thank you for putting this tutorial on the internet. I'm not good at coming up with patterns on my own, but yours is clear enough I should be able to do it. This will be for my father who has dementia but still eats at the table. He's just a bit messier than he used to be! I'm hoping he will wear it....it may take some persuading. Thank you again, you have really helped me.
    Nina

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  9. dear Alena, how many times do u see people w/napkins tucked in there neck line. this is fantastic; saves messing up your pretty evening clothes. this is the best tutorial on this. thank you

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  10. I am hoping I can follow your instructions and adapt them for my 7 year old disabled grandchild. I would love to make some bibs for him that are fun with action heroes like Spiderman or Superman towel fabric that is easily washable. Thank you.

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  11. Often they are used for older folks. I am making some for an assisted living facility.

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  12. My daughter inlaw and her friend just purchased an Adult Care business. She would like me to make the adult bibs for them. Could you email me more information regarding the construction? I'd like to continue you follow you, as I am a quilter, and love to do applique (Accuquilt/Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts.

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  13. Great pattern! Just what I was looking for. I added a pocket at the bottom. To catch the drippies. Thanks for shearing.

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  14. Thank you for this great pattern!

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  15. Thank you for this great pattern!

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  16. Great tutorial. Making some for our women's auxiliary fund raiser. Who doesn't need a bib is right! Think we'll call them clothing protectors

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  17. May I have your permission to give this bib pattern to volunteers that are going to make adult bibs for the hospice I work for?

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  18. These bibs look great! I'd love to try to make some for dementia patients. Thanks again!

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  19. Thank you for sharing. I am going to my sewing room to make some for my neighbor now.

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  20. These bibs are great for dementia patients. But how about make one (or several) to keep your car. We are always eating on the go these days, and often drip something on our clothes (even coffee or doughnut crumbs). Very practical!

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  21. So glad to see this pattern. Any nurse that has ever worked in a nursing home can tell you that plenty of adults could use these. I'm about at the point that I could as well since I have bad arthritis and I tend to spill a lot when eating, especially things like soup.

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  22. I cut out this pattern this morning. I hope to do some as regular bibs and some as fidget bibs. I was looking for a simple pattern. Thanks for sharing!

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  23. I've made my mom 6 of these in the last year. She's 94 with Parkinson's. So meals are messy! This is a wonderful pattern. Thank you so much for sharing it. We love it because it's long and covers part of her lap. It saves her clothes! I've recommended this pattern a number of times in my Facebook sewing group.

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  24. Thank you for posting this. This is what I've been looking for for my mom who is in supportive living with later stages of Alzheimer's and is now spilling all over her clothes. Having seen the others at this stage and beyond I know it is far easier to change and clean an apron than to try to change her clothes! I also want to make one for a friend's mom who has just been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and is struggling with motor coordination among other things. I think the one poster is just naive and probably young and doesn't realize the great need for these products. This one provides a lot of dignity.

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  25. Hi Alena - I can understand that at first you would struggle understanding why an adult would want one. Perhaps you never spill - lucky you! Perhaps your aging family never needed assistance feeding or fed themselves without spill or a mess - great job Alena's family! However, since birthing my first child some 29+ years ago I haven't eaten a meal without getting it on me... why? I don't know. I just can't. But I don't choose to wear a bib. Beginning my career in retirement homes over 5 years ago I witnessed my first adult bib and my world changed! I saw 90 year old people feed themselves and leave the dining room without any clue they had just left a Parkinson's inflicted trail from the table to their mouth. I watched families assist feeding their loved ones struggling through a new stroke at an early age without telltale signs. I saw light in the eyes of people whom hid in their rooms for fear of being an outcast due to tremors and inability to eat without shaking come to life when they wore a 'trendy' pattern on their adult bib that no one even paid attention to.

    So - perhaps you haven't seen them...but they are there. Perhaps you haven't had a need yet but... it will come. And maybe, just maybe it's the new found knowledge you now have that will make a difference in someone's life when you make one for them?

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  26. I appreciate your skills and style in elaborating on the topic. It bound the reader for long. I have liked everything that I have read in the article so far. Nice content.
    adult bibs.

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  27. There are quite a few people in the big wide world that will need one of these bibs they don't have a choice especially when they have had a stroke,blindness occurs,their hand movements have been affected to be more independent by trying to feed themselves.that is not including the ones who dribble a lot as it keeps them dry you will be amazed how many people have been affected by an illness,through no fault of their own.

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