This bandana bib pattern is an easy beginner sewing project. It makes a perfect diy baby shower gift, especially if paired together with my diaper clutch pattern. Actually, this must be the easiest bandana bib tutorial you’ve ever seen! NOTE: pattern updated – now in 2 SIZES, baby bandana bib and toddler bandana bib!

First off, this post includes affiliate links. Thanks for your support. This pattern has been updated in June 2020 and now includes 2 sizes – up to 1 year (baby) and 2 years (toddler).
If you’re looking for more baby sewing patterns, you’ll love these:
- Free baby hat pattern – SWEET!
- this super popular Baby BIB in 3 Sizes – FREE pattern
- this cute Baby Burp Cloth – FREE Pattern
- the easiest Baby Blanket Pattern
- Diy Knot Headband tutorial
Now let’s talk diy bandana bibs. Want to hear why I love them? Three things: so useful. Fashionable. And super quick to make. This is why the bandana bib tutorial was one of my first ever tutorials I created here at AppleGreen Cottage. My readers LOVED it! And while that was a great thing, you can imagine my early photos were not the best – and this is what I’m improving today. Dear friends, meet the new, improved and updated tutorial – and I added an extra size to the free pattern, while I was at it. 🙂
No time to sew now? Save this reversible bandana bib pattern to Pinterest for later:

Why You’ll Love This Free Bandana Bib Pattern
Really, these diy bandana bibs are amazing for soaking up teething baby drool. I made a lot of these bandana bibs when I had my first baby. And I mean a lot! There was always a stack of my diy bandana bibs somewhere close, ready to use. Once the first one got wet, I’d just switch out to a new one and I was set! They saved me from countless clothing changes throughout the day, real life savers.
Even better, everybody loved this stylish addition to the baby’s outfit.
And you won’t believe how easily and quickly they can be whipped up!
First, here’s a quick slideshow just to get you familiar with how easy this bandana bib is to make. Check it out here, but heads-up, it’s still all old photos 🙂
I want you to be able to make your own baby bandana bibs so I designed my own pattern for you to use. I’ve drafted quite a few bibs before I was happy about the design. Scroll down to download the best bandana bib pattern I’ve drafted so far – works great with any material!

Supplies To Make the Bandana Bib:
Scroll down to get your free printable PDF bandana bib pattern.
- sewing machine
- two pieces of fabric (Peek-A-Boo fabric shop has some of my favorite prints!)
- optional: one of the two pieces can be absorbent material: terry cloth or similar
- sewing machine, scissors, pins, thread
- the free bandana bib pattern (scroll towards the bottom of this tutorial or get it from my shop – for free!)
What fabric to Use for the Bandana bib
There are more fabric tips at the end of this post, but i short you can either choose two contrasting pieces of cotton, or one in cotton plus one super absorbent layer for backing, like terry cloth.
Bandana Bib sizes – MEASUREMENTS

In neck circumference, the bib measures approximately 11 1/2″ or 29 cm (small size-baby) and 13″ or 33 cm (large size-toddler)
Bandana Bib Tutorial – Steps
And now the text instructions to make this reversible bandana bib:
Step 1 – cut The Pieces
Using the free bandana bib pattern (scroll down to download it) to cut two pieces from your fabrics. They don’t need to be the same. In fact, it’s more fun if they are not:

Step 2 – Sewing step
Place the two pieces with right sides of fabric together. Using a 3/8″ (1 cm) seam allowance, sew nearly all the way around. Leave a 3″ opening at one of the two straight edges of the bib (marked by ‘leave opening here’ on the pattern), so you’ll be able to turn the bandana bib right side out.

STEP 3 – Trim The Seam Allowance
Trim off some of the fabric in the seam allowance around each of the curves, for easier turning and for a nicer finish. You can use pinking shears if you have them.

Step 4 – Turn And Topstitch
Turn your bandana bib right side out. Fold the edges at the opening towards the inside and and press it. I love using my new DIY pressing board for that. So much faster!

See how to make a handy DIY Ironing Board for all your small projects.
Makes all your easy projects even quicker!
Topstitch along the edges all the way around your bandana bib, 1/8″ (3mm) away from the finished edge. If you’re in a hurry, you can just topstitch over the opening you left before.

Step 5 – Add Kam snaps
Install KAM snaps as fastening (scroll down for more closure options) Done!!

If you haven’t installed KAM snaps before, here’s an easy tutorial for you – also, see what KAM snap size I use and why:
More Tips for Sewing Bandana Bibs
I’ve got several bonus tips for you.
What Fabric To Use For Sewing the Bandana Bib Pattern?
Here are a few bonus tips to help you with your sewing: as an alternative to quilting cotton, you can use thicker (but soft!) fabric as the second layer, maybe flannel or terry cloth. Sweatshirt fleece works too. The sewing will not go on so smoothly but the bib will absorb better. You can also opt for a third layer, some kind of interlining. I’ve made several three-layer bibs so far. Double gauze is another great and super soft material to use for your diy dribble bibs, these would be on the thinner end though.

The softest version I’ve ever made was from two layers of jersey. Just make sure the jersey is not too thin. If you are looking to buy jersey, you can check out adorable cotton knits I found here at peek-a-boo shop.
What closure is best for bandana bibs?
Bandana bibs can be fastened using a hammer-on or hand-sewn metal snap, a plastic snap, pieces of Velcro – and let’s not forget the good old buttons. Sometimes, they would also simply be tied off, but that causes a large knot that’s not too comfortable for babies, so I’m leaving that one out 🙂
What do I use to make bandana bibs? I used to make them with nearly all the above options. But then I discovered KAM snaps. I absolutely love KAM snaps. For several reasones: one, adding KAM snaps is so easy! They come in a gazillion of colors, so you can mix and match to your heart’s content. They are inexpensive. And they are so comfortable for the baby. No Velcro scratching that little neck!
The photo below shows a bandana bib with velcro closure, and one with metal snap fasteners:

How can I Make An Adjustable Size Of the Bandana Bib?
You can easily adjust the size of the large bib by simply adding additional snaps/velcro to size-down or size-up the neckline. This way, the large bib will fit several sizes – baby, toddler and even older kids. I’ve done it before and it has worked perfectly!
Get the UPDATED FREE BANDANA BIB PATTERN
The bandana bib pattern is available for FREE in my shop. UPDATED – 2 SIZES now. Get it here:

This bandana bib pattern is quite simple and easy to make. It will be made in no time and save you some money along the way. Who knows, you might just create an all-time favorite bib for your baby or toddler!
Make sure to save the tutorial to Pinterest so you have it at hand when you need it:

WANT MORE FREE TUTORIALS AND Patterns?
Get email updates and never miss out on new patterns, printables and tutorials. If you sign up at THIS link, you’ll also get the Fabric Hanging Basket Template for FREE, right now. A cute and easy-sew!
Or check out this popular pattern: Ultimate Diaper Clutch – a perfect baby welcoming gift every new mom would love to get!
Use both my bandana bib pattern and the Ultimate Diaper Clutch pattern and you’ve got a perfect homemade baby welcoming gift set!
Sharon Ricard says
Thank you so much for a EASY PDF pattern, these came together so quick and are just adorable. Thanks again!
Damjana says
Sharon hi,
I’m so happy you liked it. Happy sewing,
Angela says
Thank you so much for this pattern. I have a baby nephew due in November so thought I would give this a go. It’s been years since I have done any sewing. The pattern, photos and explanation are really clear. I look forward to starting my next sewing project with you. I was going to post some photos but I couldn’t upload them on here?
Cucicucicoo: Eco Crafting & Sewing says
These are so adorable! My kids are past bib-age and I wish I'd known about this style when I actually needed them! I love that they're reversible! 🙂 Lisa
DIY Crush Blog says
Oh how sweet is this?? We chose it as one of our favorite DIY's from last weeks DIY Crush Craft Party. Come see it being featured tonight, Thursday at 7pm EST. http://www.diy-crush.com
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Thank you so much, DIY Crush Team!
Anonymous says
Thank you so much for this free pattern! I nanny a 3 year old fellow who has autism and recently he's started chewing on his shirts when he gets stressed or excited. This looks like it will be perfect for him! Protecting his clothes while looking like a style choice rather than a bib. I'm going to whip one up now out of my stash and see if his momma wants me to make some more when she comes to pick him up this afternoon.
Anonymous says
Just wanted to update that it worked great! He wore it to preschool and it did exactly as we wanted, he was chewing on the bib instead of his clothes. He and I went to the fabric store and picked out fabric to make several more! The only change that i made was to extend the length of the bandana part a bit, the neck circumfrence was just right, but it wasn't quite long enough for him. But he's 3 years old (a bit older than the target audience) and is a VERY large guy as he's the same height and weight as my 5 year old!
Anonymous says
to make it 'slouchy" make the top layer 1/2in larger all the way around.
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Hi Katelynn,
a good question! It all depends on the fabric you use. If you check out one of my other posts on DIY bibs (https://www.applegreencottage.com/home-made-bandana-bibs-and-promise/) using jersey will make it very, very soft. It 'falls' very nicely around the neck, if that's what you had in mind. And if you use jersey, it's good to get cotton jersey (it's so kind to the baby's soft skin). I hope you'll enjoy your project.
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Faye,
you're welcome! I hope you'll like it 🙂
Anonymous says
Hello!
What size bib pattern is this aimed towards- 12mth+ toddler?
I'm after a pattern that's for a younger age group (around 4mths) would I just cut this pattern down?
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Hi, yes, you're right.
I started using this pattern when my toddler was around 1.5 years old. And there really is a simple way to make the pattern smaller: you can just cut it down, or even better: use the size from the template, but add additional snaps/poppers/velcro to size-down the neckline. This way, the bib will fit the baby when she's older, too. I've done it before and it has worked perfectly! Happy sewing 🙂 Damjana
Anonymous says
How much fabric do you need?
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Two pieces that will cover the A4 page format, no more (even a bit less, if you check the free PDF pattern). I often use scraps of cute kid-themed fabrics.
Anonymous says
I can't get the link to open, is the pattern still available?
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Hi,
yes, it is available, free of charge to everybody who'd like to use it privately. I double-checked and it opens on my computer. I suggest you try again, but if you still won't be able to open it, I can email it to you (just let me know your e-mail address). Have a great day! Damjana
Bellas Momma says
Love these!! What kind of fabric did you use??
liloca, liloquinha says
Obrigada, quero fazer par o.meu neto!!!
AppleGreen Cottage says
Esmeralda, I'm glad you find the pattern useful, but am sincerely sorry that you have encountered difficulties printing it out. Have you checked the settings on your printer? The print size settings should say something like 100%, or no scaling, depends on the printer model… Just to provide a general feel how big the pattern should be, the line of 'this-side-folded'=17 centimeters and the long side of the pattern=30 centimeters. I hope this will help.
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Wow, the day has become even better now! Thanks, Pam, heading to your site to see it! 🙂
Pam @Threading My Way says
You can't have too many bibs. Thanks for the great tutorial and for sharing the pattern.
Damjana at AppleGreen Cottage says
Hi Pam, thanks for visiting! Yes, I thought the same when deciding to make a tutorial on bibs – can't have too many. At least in our house 🙂 Best, Damjana
Pam @Threading My Way says
Hi Damjana, I've featured your tutorial today.
Pam @Threading My Way says
Hi Damjana, I've featured your bandana bibs again today, this time in a roundup of scrap busting projects…