If you feel like making a DIY Adult Bib sounds strange, please know I thought the same thing at first. Oddly enough, this all came about because my dad asked for one years ago….here’s the story of how this came to be and why it is my dad’s favorite gift I have given to him.
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My Dad often eats in the car. The problem is he also often spills food all over his clothes. When he was still in the working world, this would ruin his dress shirts and stain expensive clothing. He asked me if I could make him a bib that looks like he was wearing a dress shirt, so that while he was snacking in the car, no one would notice it was actually a bib. Well, I made that bib using one of my husband’s old dress shirt and it worked great. My father is retired now and somehow he lost that bib through the many years and a move. Recently he asked if I would create him a new one. So, I present the DIY Adult Bib 2.0 in the relaxed retired version. This bib may seem funny, and I won’t lie; I chuckle everytime I see it, but it is also quite practical. Whether you have a messy car eater who wants to protect their clothing or need an adult size bib as a caretaker for someone who would benefit from this, here are the instructions to upcycle a men’s shirt into an adult bib. My dad literally takes this bib EVERYWHERE. He says it is the greatest thing ever and I am so glad he finds a gift I made so useful.
How to Make a DIY Adult Bib
Begin by gathering your supplies. For my DIY Adult Bib I used:
-One Men’s XL Polo
-One Yard of Terry Cloth fabric with a slight stretch for the backing (use something that is absorbent to help prevent liquids and stains from going through the bib)
-Interfacing – I used SF 101 on this project
-Thread – my favorite brands for my Pfaff machine are here and here
-Sewing machine, scissors, and a ruler
What fabric is best?
I have made this bib with both woven (non stretch) fabric using a dress shirt and with knit fabrics like the polo pictured here. I personally find the fabrics with some slight stretch make this project much easier. Therefore I recommend using something in a knit fabric. I found the terry cloth (towelling) type material at a thrift store. It has a bit of stretch to it, but is soft and absorbent which is perfect for the back side of the Adult Bib.
DIY Adult Bib Tutorial
Step 1: Begin by laying your polo shirt out on the table and carefully cut up both side seams. Cut off the sleeves on the bodice side of the sleeve to remove the full seam.
Step 2: Lay the shirt out flat and measure down about 8 inches from the back collar. Cut horizontally across the back.
Step 3: Take the remaining large rectangle of fabric that you cut off from the back of the shirt and interface it (or measure out your bib catch and pockets first, then interface- see next step for those details).
Step 4: Measure and cut your bib catch and pocket if you will be adding one. I always add the bib catch as this is an important part for catching dropped food. It is on the large side and will hang a bit because it is heavy. But you want it like that so it will hang open when sitting and catch any dropped food. I decided to add a pocket for glasses/cell phone this time as well. Feel free to customize your bib for your needs. To make the bib catch I decided to cut 2 rectangles using the width of the back fabric I interfaced in Step 3 by 6 inches tall. My cell phone pocket is roughly 7 x 5 inches.
Step 5: Place your two bib catch pieces right sides together and stitch across one long side using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Sew across the side that will be used as the top if you are matching stripes or a pattern. Turn it right sides out and press well. Topstitch about 1/4 inch from the edge. Press 1/2 inch seam allowances on 3 sides of your cell phone pocket. On one short side press down 1/4 inch and then another 1/4 inch and top stitch. This will be used as the top of the pocket and this will enclose the top edge.
Step 6: Place your bib catch along the bottom edge of the front of the bib. Align the side seams as closely as possible as well as the bottom edge. Do not stretch your bib catch to match the sides. We will trim in the next step. Pin around the sides and bottom edge. Stitch around the pinned edges using a basting stitch. Trim any excess fabric. I had some extra fabric along the bottom edge since I wanted my stripes to line up.
Step 7: Trim your side seams to the same width as the bib catch. Then pin your pocket in place where you would like it. I eyeballed where to put mine and matched my stripes. Pin it in place and sew around the 3 sides that have been pressed to attach the pocket.
Step 8: This is now what your view should look like if you were wearing the bib. The catch will hang out slightly and should be somewhat firm to help it stand up when wearing the bib.
Step 9: Now it is time to add the backing/lining fabric. Take your bib and lay it face down (right sides together) on your lining fabric. You will want to pop the collar up when laying the fabric together. Pin all the way around the outside edges of your bib and trim off the excess fabric.
Step 10: Sew all the way around the outside edge of the bib to attach the lining. Sew using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Then turn the fabric right side out through the neck hole.
Step 11: Press the fabric well, making sure you have the lining pressed flat and hidden under the bib fabric. Top stitch all the way around the edge of the bib 1/4 inch away from the edge.
Step 12: Lay your bib on a flat surface with the collar standing up. Use a tailor’s chalk or pen to trace around the neckline opening. Cut away the lining fabric using your tracing line.
Step 13: Cut a slit from the center front of the neckline circle to the bottom edge of the placket. Cut a small 1/4 inch slit into edge bottom corner of the slit. This will allow you to fold the fabric flat to pin around the neckline and placket areas.
Step 14: Pin really well all around the neckline, tucking the lining fabric under by about 1/4 inch before pinning. This is where having a little bit of stretch in your fabric is helpful. Once everything is well pinned, slowly sew around the neckline edge, very close to the seamline of the shirt, attaching the lining to the bib.
Give everything a final press and you are done! The bib easily goes on and off over the head using the shirt’s neckline opening. You can button it up while wearing it for more coverage or wear it open. I hope you have enjoyed this fun little project to upcycle a polo shirt into a DIY Adult Bib. If you have any questions about the construction, feel free to ask below. Until next time, Happy Sewing
Special thanks to my dad for the Bib idea and willingness to model. Maybe I should have ironed this before a photo as he rolls it up and takes it wherever he goes…but that only makes you see how much he truly does use and love it. 🙂
Other Tutorials you may enjoy:
About 18 years ago I decided to teach myself how to sew. Long before blogs and resources available today which meant it was often disastrous. But I never gave up because I loved it so much. Today I love helping others get started on their own sewing journey. You can read more about my family and I
This is great I have been sewing bibs for my 27 son who has cerebral palsy for years this is a wonderful new pattern to try thanks from australia
Yay! This is so great to hear. I am glad this tutorial could be helpful for you and your son. Thanks so much for reading –