Babies and birthdays…
These are the two things that seem to be on my mind the most these days.
I think the babies thing is pretty self-explanatory. We’re in full prep mode over here considering our summer schedule is already filling up fast, and baby #3 will make his or her grand entrance in early September.
And birthdays because my birthday is this Saturday. I’m not one to make a big deal about my birthday…spending time with my friends and family for the day is my idea of a perfect celebration. But the last few years, as my children have gotten older and take part in the festivities more and more, my birthday has taken on a different meaning. To see their faces, full of excitement for me…to hear their whispers, as they plan surprises, secretly sign cards and wrap presents, and conspire with my husband to give me the most special day they possibly can…well, it makes my cherish my birthday in a different way. It’s become more a day for them, and I am lucky enough to get to sit back and enjoy every previous moment of it.
So, I guess it made sense to combine the two things I’ve been thinking about most into the project for this post, right? But there are lot more than just two things below! In fact, this post is packed goodies: a sewing tutorial, a tip for finding simple appliqué designs, a sale …and a giveaway!!…so be sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom to get every detail!
Enjoy,
Nikki, In Stitches
1. Applique Baby Bib How-To
This baby bib is super simple to make. Yes, mine has an appliqué front, but you could use a solid piece of fabric, something you’ve pieced maybe using your favorite quilt block as inspiration, a reclaimed t-shirt that has a logo or phrase on the front that you just love…you get the idea. This is a great scrap buster!
Materials:
- Bib template (Click link for printable PDF pattern: Nikki In Stitches Applique Baby Bib Sewing Pattern)
- 2 pieces of fabric approximately 14″ square (Again, get creative! Cut into an old t-shirt, look through your scrap bin, piece together your favorite quilt block, etc!)
- 1 piece of quilt batting approximately 14″ square.
- Approximately 55″ of 1/2″ bias tape (I made my own for this project from fabric scraps!)
- Sewing machine and basic sewing supplies
- Velcro (Or whatever you’d like to use to keep your bib on your little one!)
- Scrap fabrics for applique (Only required if you’re going to add a design to the front of your bib!)
Directions:
- Prep your bib front. This will be different for all of you, depending on what you’re using for your fabric. For me, it was creating the applique shape. I used my CAMEO and a shape I found in the Silhouette online store. I adhered Silhouette fabric interfacing to the back of my fabric scraps, ran them through my cutting machine to cut them out, ironed them to my bib front, then just sewed around the edges with my sewing machine. A super simple applique technique! If you don’t have a Silhouette cutting system, you can still create your own applique shapes! This design is basic enough that you may be able to sketch and cut it by hand. Or, here’s a tip: do a quick google search for free clip art cupcakes. You’ll find a ton there that you can trace!
- Cut out the bib pattern three times, once from the quilt batting, once from whatever fabric you’ve selected for your bib front, and once from whatever fabric you’ve selected for your bib back.
Sew Velcro to the bib pieces, one piece on the front, one on the back, as shown in the picture below, so that the bib lays flat when it is on your little one.
Layer your fabrics wrong sides together, with your quilt batting between!
- Open your bias tape and pin the raw edge all the way along the outside of your bib, being careful to match the curve of the bib pattern. You may need to use a lot of pins around the curves! That’s ok! (NOTE: To get a nice finished edge, fold over the first quarter inch of your bias tape. Then, once you’ve gone all the way around, over lap the beginning and end of your bias tape about 3/4″. This will give you a clean edge that will blend right in and won’t be visible. If you need any help, refer to the pictures below!)
- Sew in first fold of bias tape, all the way around. Be very careful around the curves to keep a consistent seam allowance. (It should be 1/2″ since you’re using 1/2″ bias tape!)
- Fold bias tape over to back side of bib and hand stitch in place, using the machine stitches sewn in the previous step as a guide for placement. Put the bib on your little one and snap a few quick pics of how adorable they look!
2. Silhouette Interfacing Is On Sale!
You guys know the drill by now! Fabric interfacing is the featured product this month from Silhouette. You can pick some up if you already have a cutting system. If you do not have a Silhouette cutting system, but are ready to jump into the fun, the fabric interfacing is also bundling with the machines…all at a discounted price.
The graphic below has all the details:
Ready to start shopping?
Click here to head over to the Silhouette site and get going!
And be sure to use promo code STITCHES to get your discount!
This offer is only good from 5/23/13 to 5/31/13!
3. Giveaway Time! It’s A Silhouette Portrait™!!!
As I said earlier this month, you are all loving the Portrait giveaways, and because your response has been so overwhelming, Silhouette has given me another one to give away! Woo Hoo!
And, as always, I try to make entering the giveaway a easy as possible! Just use the Rafflecopter app below. This giveaway is open to US residents only! (If you’re viewing this post in your email or through an email reader and can’t see the Rafflecopter box below, click here to be taken directly to the Nikki, In Stitches site.)
Here is exactly what the winner will receive:
- Silhouette Portrait™ electronic cutting tool
- Silhouette Studio® software
- 50 exclusive cuttable designs
- Power cable, USB cable
- 8″ cutting mat
- Cutting blade
- $10 gift card to the Silhouette Online Store
- Basic Instruction Guide
PLUS, I’m adding in my Intro To Your CAMEO class for free!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck to everyone entering the giveaway!
XOXO
Thanks for the great giveaway!! We will be moving into a new house soon and I have so many things collected to decorate with-just need the house! I would use the Cameo to help create a lot of that decor!
I love new fabric flower jewelry! Fun for summer! I would experiment with that right away 🙂
I have been debating about getting a machine! Thank you so much for your awesome tips about it’s many uses! Now, I think I must have one 🙂
I love the simple bib….so adorable. I’m going to see if I can make this for a friend and her soon to be baby girl. Thanks so much for taking time to do your blog. I love it! I’ve got my fingers crossed for the giveaway!
I would love to make onesies!!
yay!! so excited.
I would make personalized blankets for my nieces and nephews.
Decorations for my girls rooms to personalize them.
Thanks for the giveaway! Would love to be able to create along with you!
Thanks for another opportunity to win a Silhouette!
WOW, I would really love to win this great giveaway. Thank you for the opportunity and all the great tutorials!
Hi Nikki!
It’s Jo.. ya know.,. your new email buddy LOL … glad to see more posts surfacing on your blog and how cute is that bib?? It’s adorable! Too bad I know nothing about sewing… I have a sewing machine but have no clue what to do with it or how to thread it LOL …. thanks so much for the chance to win. I’d LOVE to win a silhouette. I hear all the rave about them and I want one so bad.
Hugs,
Jo
xox
I love to be creative!!!
I really want to win this so I can make my baby nephew some unique bibs!
I love using the Silhouette for rhinestone templates but my last few projects have been with vinyl. Silhouette cutters are amazing for vinyl- very detailed cuts are quick.
I would love to win the Portrait to work on several family history projects I have in mind for an upcoming family reunion.
I haven’t used a Silhouette. I hope I win so I can try it out. I’ve heard great things about it.
I haven’t used the Silhouette but I’ve heard its awesome! Hoping I can win this time! 😀
I would love to be able to gift this to a friend! Love my cameo
I love the cameo! I enjoy making items with vinyl! Would love to try making something with fabric 😉
Another opportunity! Awesome!
I’ve never used one, and the first thing I’d make might just be a bid like this. We are expecting our 3rd little one in October.
Sorry, “bib”.
Trying again for this. There are so many things I would love try. I would love to embellish my kids clothes, make cards, and do much more! If I don’t win, someday I’ll buy one!
This bib is so adorable! I would love to win the Portrait so I could make cards. I would also use it for decorations, gift tags and sewing projects! Thanks for the chance to win 🙂 And, Happy early birthday!!
I have never used one – I’d love to make labels for my pantry
I have seen projects made with Silhouette, but have not used one or seen how they work. I have seen similar machines. I have a new grandbaby on the way. I would love to welcome the little one with onesies and bibs and monogrammed items.
I don’t have a Silhouette, but I have a friend who does. The first thing I would make is stencils.
I would love to win one so that I can make more crafts. I would like to use it to make cards, cut vinyl for signs and learn to use it to cut fabric for appliques.
Thanks so much for the chance to win!
Donna
I haven’t used a Silhouette yet but I’m really hoping to win one! I would love to create little applique onesies for my daughter or somehow incorporate it with my quilting. 🙂
I would love to win a silhouette! Not sure what I would do first since the possibilities seem to be endless. So excited for another chance. Thanks
Wow another amazing giveaway from Nikki In Stitches!!
I’ve never used a silhouette but I want to!!
If I win I’m going to use it to make some party decor:-)
Xo
Cannot wait for mine to come!!! Now one for my sister would be amazing!!!
I see great creative ideas for this machine….it would be awesome to win it
I’d love one of these! Crossing fingers!