Easy Baby Bib Tutorial with Free Pattern

Baby bibs are a go-to sewing project for baby shower gifts! They’re quick to sew and you can always find a cute fabric to make them from. And it doesn’t matter how many bibs a baby has, they can always use another! Sew Simple Home has a free sewing pattern you can use to make an easy baby bib. The instructions are easy to follow so even a beginner sewist can make an adorable baby bib. Go to Sew Simple Home for the tutorial and free pattern.

Quilting cotton is an easy choice for making baby bibs, but you can also use flannel, minky, or terry cloth if you want a softer or more absorbent bib. And for a bib with a wipe-clean surface, use a laminated fabric or a PUL fabric. A bit of hook and loop tape will make an easy closure for this baby bib.

If you’re looking for more things to sew for a baby shower gift, here are some other good ideas:

Burp Cloth – This baby burp cloth by Mary Martha Mama has a nice contour shape that helps it fit nicely around your neck. Quilting cotton or flannel works nicely for the front, while a terry cloth backing gives absorbency. Go to Mary Martha Mama for a free sewing pattern for a contoured burp cloth.

Baby Blanket – Just like bibs, a new parent can always use another baby blanket! Adventures of a DIY Mom shows how you can sew a baby blanket with a self-binding border. A self-binding border is a quick way to bind the edges that creates a clean finish.

Baby Hat –While baby hats have a practical purpose in keeping baby’s head warm, they also just look so cute! Sweet Red Poppy has a free pattern to sew the cutest double knot baby hat. It’s made from a knit fabric so it will stretchy easily to fit snug around baby’s head. Get the free pattern from Sweet Red Poppy.

[photo credit: Sew Simple Home]

13 Adorable Baby Bibs to Sew

Sewing pattern: Upcycled bibs from outgrown baby clothes

Sewing Tutorial: Placemat bibs

Tutorial: Patchwork baby bibs from upcycled fabrics

The Mary Poppins Eyelet Tote is one of those sewing projects that feels both practical and a little bit magical. It has that wonderfully roomy, “I can fit everything in here” shape that makes it perfect for everyday errands, library trips, market shopping, craft supplies, or even as a handmade gift bag.

What makes this tote stand out is the eyelet handle design. Instead of a standard sewn-on strap, the handles are threaded through large eyelets around the top of the bag, creating a gathered, slightly slouchy finish that gives the tote its Mary Poppins-style charm. The finished size is generous too, measuring around 23 inches wide x 13½ inches high x 5 inches deep, so this is not a tiny decorative bag — it is a proper carry-all tote.

The tutorial is detailed and step-by-step, covering the exterior fabric, lining, interfacing, pocket, boxed corners, optional base support, eyelet placement, and fabric-covered tube handles. It does require a little patience, especially when marking and setting the eyelets evenly, but the finished result is worth the extra care.

I especially like that this bag includes an interior pocket, which makes it far more useful than a basic open tote. The optional cardboard or heavyweight interfacing base is also a clever addition if you want the bag to hold its shape better when filled.

This project is probably best suited to a confident beginner or intermediate sewer. A newer sewer could absolutely make it, but I would suggest reading through the full pattern first, taking time with the cutting measurements, and double-checking the eyelet spacing before making any holes. One commenter even mentioned that the directions were thorough enough for a relative beginner, though the eyelet step may need a careful re-read.

The beauty of this pattern is how easy it would be to personalize. A vintage floral fabric gives it a sweet cottage-style look, bold canvas would make it feel more modern, and denim or ticking stripe would turn it into a sturdy everyday market tote. You could also use contrast lining or a fun pocket fabric for a little surprise inside.

Overall, this is a charming, useful, and very giftable sewing project. The Mary Poppins Eyelet Tote free sewing pattern has a lovely handmade feel, plenty of room, and enough design detail to make it more special than a plain tote bag. It is a great choice if you want to sew a bag that looks impressive but is still built from straightforward sewing techniques.

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