How To Make An Adult Bib
I’m always looking to add more projects for people who want to craft for seniors, so this post will walk you through how to make an adult bib.
In reviewing the tutorials I offer here on Create To Donate, there has been a heavy focus on cancer support items and items for infants in the NICU and preemies.
But I know there are lots of people who want to help seniors in their communities.
So, if you donate to senior centers, nursing homes, hospice facilities, or caregivers, this adult bib will be perfect.
It’s also important to note that on an organization’s “wish list” this item may also be listed as “clothing protectors”.
Charities That Support Seniors
When it comes to supporting and promoting organizations that support seniors, Meals on Wheels always comes to mind.
Honor Flight Network is another one that is on my list.
Honor Flight’s mission and vision focus on allowing, “all of America’s veterans [to] experience the honor, gratitude, and community of support they deserve,” through sharing a day of honor at our nation’s memorials.
There aren’t a lot of handmade needs that serve their missions, though.
The majority of what Create To Donate has featured so far therefore revolves around handmade card needs for nonprofits like Caring by Card.
Then, I connected with the team at Hospice of the Valley and learned more about the additional handmade needs that many organizations like theirs have.
And the adult bib (aka clothing protector) is in high demand.
Adult Bibs Protect Clients’ Clothing
This beginning sewing project is an easy way to make and donate a little something that provides dignity to seniors.
An adult bib allows seniors to eat, drink, and even take medicines without having anything spill directly onto their clothing.
Let’s Sew An Adult Bib
As I mentioned, this sewing project is great for beginners.
The TLDR version of the tutorial is: cutting fabric to size, sewing it together, top stitching, then adding hook and loop tape as a fastener.
So it’s learning about right sides and wrong sides of the fabric. Straight-line sewing, and working with the (sometimes squirrelly) hook-and-loop tape.
For those who like more detailed steps to their sewing tutorial, read on below.
How To Sew An Adult Bib
You can sew an adult bib in under 30 minutes with less than a yard of fabric and a 3" piece of hook-and-loop tape.
These clothing protectors can be donated to nursing homes,senior centers, and hospice facilities.
Materials
- 1 yard of 100% cotton fabric
- 3/4" sew-on hook and loop tape
Tools
- Rotary cutter and mat or scissors
- Fabric marking pencil or pen
- Sewing clips
- Sewing machine
Instructions
- Gather your materials.
- Cut two pieces of fabric that measure 32" x 21".
- Fold each piece of fabric in half on the long edge with right sides together.
- From the fold, measure and mark 3" across and 10" down on each piece of fabric.
- Cut out the marked area (this will become the neck opening).
- Place one piece of fabric on top of the other, right sides together, and clip to prepare for sewing.
- Sew the fabric together using a 5/8" seam allowance, leaving a 4" turning hole on the bottom edge.
- Turn the fabric right sides out and press to prepare for top stitching.
- Top stitch around the whole adult bib.
- Prepare the hook-and-loop tape for sewing by clipping one piece on the 1/4" from the end of the front of the neck opening and the other piece to the back of the other side of the neck opening.
(This allows it to be reversible and sit on the neck more comfortably.) - Sew the hook-and-loop-tape onto the fabric using a zigzag stitch.
- Now your DIY adult bib is complete.
Notes
- This project can also be sewn together using bias tape instead of two sewing passes (one to sew it together and the other to top stitch).
- Since the adult bib is reversible, you can have fun with different fabric patterns and colors.
- If you don't feel like cutting the fabric into two pieces, you can take a piece that is 32" X WOF (likely 44") and cut the neck opening by folding toward the uncut middle.
- After cutting the neck hole you'll have a small rectangle of fabric leftover that would be perfect to use for a chemo port pillow.
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How Will You Craft For Seniors?
The beauty of crafting for a cause is that you can do it on your own or in a group.
If you have a school group, volunteer organization, or faith-based group looking to support seniors in your community, here are some DIY craft and sewing projects to consider:
- make handmade cards and donate them to Caring By Card,
- wrap up some washcloth cupcakes and donate them to a local nursing home
- sew together some carrots splints and donate them to Hospice of the Valley
So, how will you craft for seniors?
