Bandana bibs for babies are popular, and some fit better than others. I took two favorites to design this free pattern that combines the popular bandana style with a bib chin cut out with the perfect inner curves. Traditional bandana styles tend to bunch up under the baby’s chin. These are the perfect accessory for the baby girl or boy in your life!

Baby bandana drool bibs are perfect for protecting the baby’s clothing from the dribbles. This is the time to pull out the cute fabrics for the right side. I like to use an absorbent fabric, like French terry cloth on the back to help absorb all of those baby drools. You can use organic cotton and double-cotton gauze fabrics, too. This reversible bib is now my go-to pattern to make for all of the babies in my life!

This is an easy sewing project – perfect for beginners.

These are sometimes referred to as baby neckerchief bibs, handkerchief bibs, and scarf bibs. Here are our step-by-step instructions and downloadable free baby bib pattern:

Download the FREE Baby Bandana Bib Pattern

One (1) Baby Bandana Bib

How to Make a Baby Bandana Bib

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Difficulty: Beginner

Make your own baby bandana bibs! Have a drooling baby in your life that needs a baby bandana? This is a simple, quick and easy sewing project is perfect for beginners. Use either velcro or snaps as closures for your diy baby bib!

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Customize the bib with special fabrics for baby - or mom and dad! From animals or hobbies - to their favorite sports teams! Perfect for baby gifts or shower gifts.

This is a perfect 'scrap buster' project, using less than a fat quarter of fabric for each side of the bib. Make some extras and donate to your local women's shelter - they are always looking for nice new items for the families.

Make sure to DOWNLOAD the free sewing pattern before you get started!

Here is our baby bib tutorial:

Materials

1/4 yard fabric, I like to use one lightweight and French terry or other heavier fabric on the other side. This is a perfect project for a fat quarter of fabric for one of the sides.
2 snaps or velcro, I like using Kam Snaps plastic colored snaps to match my bibs
Thread for sewing

Tools

Sewing machine
Iron
Ironing board
Snap tool, if using snaps. I like the KamSnap tool
Optional: Velcro as the closure instead of snaps

Instructions

Print the free pdf sewing pattern for a baby bandana bib. Place the pattern piece on the fold of the fabric and cut it out.

You will need to cut out two fabrics for each bandana. One for each side of the bib. They can be the same, complementary, or completely different fabrics!
Place the right side of the two pieces of fabric for the bib together and sew all around the edge with a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving a 2" gap to turn the bib right side out. You'll have the wrong side of the fabric on the outside for now.
I like to leave this gap in the middle of a straight edge -- makes it easier for both turning and then topstitching the gap closed.
Turn right side out. Press flat, making sure to tuck in the seam allowances in the gap along the edge of the bib.
Top stitch all around the edge of the bib, closing the gap and finishing the edge of the bib. I like to use the topstitch foot or the quilters foot to make sure my topstitching is nice and straight.
The last step is to add snaps or velcro loop tape to the bib tabs on the back of the bib.

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Here is an adorable baby bib I made for Halloween. I made it in orange fabric and then cut triangles out for the eyes and nose for the jack-o-lantern.

These are perfect for younger babies – and make them for baby gifts, too! And, they make a great baby shower gift

How much fabric do you need to make a baby bandana bib?

1/4 yard of fabric will make a baby drool bib suitable for babies up to 9 months old. This is a project that is perfect for using up scraps of fabric, or a reason to go buy some super cute fabrics just for the baby in your life. You’ll go through a lot of baby bibs, and they are super easy to make – so make a lot!

This is a perfect project to use up fabric scraps or that fat quarter you just had to have and make a super cute bib! You can sew some fabrics together or appliqué on the front of the bib piece before sewing together.

What is the best fabric to make baby drool bibs?

Pick a fabric that is absorbent, like double cotton gauze or flannel fabrics. 100% cotton knit fabrics work well, too. Quilter cottons come in a lot of great patterns and designs and can be used as well, but aren’t as absorbent (but look darn cute!).

I like to use a French terry or flannel for the backing to make your DIY dribble bib super absorbent. This would be a great way to upcycle old towels or sweatshirts for the back – any fabric that is thick and absorbent is the key.

I wouldn’t use waterproof fabrics. They don’t breathe and soak up the drool.

For dress up occasions, make bibs out of a nice linen and embroider the baby’s name or initial!

Other ideas for cute baby bibs is to piece together fabrics in stripes, add some ribbon or lace. Have fun with your fabrics to make cute baby bandana bibs!

What is the best closure for bandana bibs?

I love my KAMsnap tool. It is super easy to use. Once you buy a kam snap you’ll find all kinds of uses for it!

As an alternative, you can use snaps that are applied using a hammer, sew-on snaps and Velcro. If you use Velcro, make sure the soft side of the velcro is on the side that might rub against the babies neck – you don’t want the rough side scratching up their tender neck.

Have some cute buttons? Add a button on one side and button hole on the other.

I don’t recommend tying the scarf on the babies neck. You’ll want a fastening system that makes it easy to put on and take off the kerchief.

When can babies wear bandana bibs?

As soon as babies start drooling, you’ll find these types of bibs useful. They generally become an essential fashion accessory for baby girls and baby boys by the time they reach 4 – 6 months and begin teething.